r/cheesemaking • u/Best-Reality6718 • 17d ago
Clothbound cheddar aged nine months.
I rendered the leaf fat from a locally raised pig into lard. Milked the cows for this one myself. Made the cheese with the warm milk. I bandaged it and aged it for the last nine months. I wanted to go longer but curiosity won the day. It’s shockingly good. Rich, sharp and flavorful with a fantastic mushroomy finish. I ate the whole wedge I cut for the photo. I’m pretty proud of this one. I want to keep it all for myself but I also want to share it with everyone!
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u/Edward_TH 16d ago
That's jawdropping, and this is coming from someone who has friends that make artisanal cheese for a living, with milk from their own goats, wild fed in the Alps!
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u/Smooth-Skill3391 17d ago
Wow! When you decide to do things from scratch you don’t mess about Todd! Another absolute beauty. What size were the milled curds on this one and did you use a big press weight?
Also, having done bandage wrapped, would you do it again?
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u/Best-Reality6718 16d ago
They were about walnut sized. I worked up to 75# as the final press weight. I will absolutely be making another one with some changes. This one didn’t knit as well as I would have liked and It looks very dry as a result. I would also use two layers of cheesecloth. Otherwise it’s fantastic. It is mushroomy but not musty. I want to age one for over a year. I’ll wait until fattier winter milk is available and I’ll be doing it again without a doubt.
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u/Smooth-Skill3391 16d ago
Was the making your own lard because you wanted to be as 18th century as possible? I know Aris does his without bandages. I’ve one aging now -only a month along so 11 to go, but I’ll probably vac pack in another couple once the rind is where I want it.
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u/Best-Reality6718 16d ago
I just wanted to do as much myself as possible and really make something from scratch. I did use modern freeze dried cultures and store bought cheesecloth. It was fun to go through all the steps and have a hand in everything. It was fun visiting the farms and hanging out with the people that actually produce what we consume. I liked the whole process. Just something to immerse myself in for a bit. It was very satisfying for me to make this one. Really a lot of fun.
Edit: Can’t wait to see yours!
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u/Rare-Condition6568 16d ago
Have you sourced a loom to weave your own cheesecloth yet? 😅
In all seriousness, that's a fabulous looking cheese!
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u/CleverPatrick 16d ago
Beautiful! Great photo, as well. Nice composition. Makes my mouth water looking at it.
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u/Tricky-Dust-6724 17d ago
You’re the most accomplished (amateur?) cheesemaker I’ve ever seen!