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How is Cheese Made?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Cheese is one of the most varied and fascinating of dairy products. In its most basic form, it is the curdled milk of sheep, goats, cows, or other mammals. Cheese can be found in a wide range of incarnations, from the soft curds of farmer's cheese to the much harder Parmesan, which also includes a hard rind achieved by long curing. It is used in a dazzling array of culinary applications, with various types being called for depending upon the desired effect.

To make cheese, rennet, an enzyme complex produced in the stomach of all mammals, is introduced to milk. Most rennet comes from the stomachs of calves, although rennet from other young mammals is also used. Non-animal sources of rennet are available for vegetarians and those observing kosher diets. Rennin is the active enzyme in rennet, and when introduced to milk, it causes it to separate into solid curds, leaving whey behind.

Cheddar cheese wheels aging on shelves.
Cheddar cheese wheels aging on shelves.

After the curds have formed, they are drained and pressed to separate them from the whey. Loosely packed curds, also called cottage cheese, are eaten across much of the world. Cottage cheese contains a small amount of whey, because it is not fully drained. Little Miss Muffet was known to be consuming this type before being frightened by a spider, probably because the mild flavor appeals to children.

Cheese-making factory.
Cheese-making factory.

Usually, curds are drained and pressed repeatedly to squeeze all the water out. As they start to firm up, the curds turn into fresh or farmer's cheese, which is a soft and easy to spread product with a mild flavor. This type is delicious eaten fresh. Chevres, Neufchatel, and Cas are all examples of fresh cheeses. Fresh varieties spoil quickly, even when refrigerated, unless heavily preserved.

A thick wedge of fontina cheese.
A thick wedge of fontina cheese.

After being pressed dry, the curds are packed into a mold and weighted. This is where the magic of the cheese begins, because depending upon the diet of the animals used to produce the milk, milk fat content, pasteurization, ambient molds and bacteria, and ripening time, dramatically different products can be produced. The molded cheese can be brined, as is the case with feta, or treated in other ways for a desired flavor. Flavors can also be introduced by smoking, soaking in wine or another liquid, or adding herbs and spices to the curds.

Jug of whey.
Jug of whey.

The longer a cheese ages, the more flavor will develop. Most are highly acidic, and therefore will kill any harmful bacteria while allowing flavor-imparting molds to remain. Some molds are only found in very specific regions, or even in certain caves, meaning that a wide range of cheeses can be produced all over the world.

The possibilities for this dairy product are literally endless. In some cases, governments have protected their heritage cheeses by applying for origin appellations, meaning that only specific items can bear a regional name. Cheese must be aged in the Cambalou caves of France and contain Penicililum roqueforti to bear the Roquefort name, for example.

Goat cheese.
Goat cheese.

Cheese molds are often extraordinarily complex, and efforts to type them all have so far been unsuccessful. A single cheese can contain many types of mold, and those from different parts of the same cave sometimes have varying mold populations. Therefore, many are considered to be artisan products, because they must be ripened in a particular location and cared for in a certain way to achieve the desired result. Some gastronomists have suggested that they are simply the result of carefully controlled decay, presenting infamously smelly, gooey, and colorful cheeses as evidence.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a DelightedCooking researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon353874

I also hate cheese. The taste makes me gag. I would starve to death if cheese were the only thing available to eat. And no, I'm not vegan or lactose intolerant. I just don't like cheese. That means all of you cheese lovers can have all of mine.

anon262597

Did anyone else read the part about the calves' stomach lining? Good grief! Poor calves!

anon251329

I like cheese, but not the ones that smell like feet.

anon243172

What's so important about cheese?

FoodTech

@people hating on cheeses. If you hate it, don't it eat?, simple. No one is forcing you to eat it.

anon158345

for the person who said cheese is cruel: News flash: it's not. if the animals weren't milked they would get sick and die.

anon138501

I want to see a clip of cheesemaking. cheese is absolutely amazing.

anon116711

Why are you people so hateful about cheese? It's good.

anon96114

cheese is the greatest.

anon91091

I'm simply crackers about cheese!

anon90120

I love cheese but i hate the ones that small like feet!

anon81661

why be crazy over cheese? Probably because it's like the 8th wonder of the world. and who cares if it's not hurting the cow?

anon80814

Cheese is for cruel, cruel people! Save the animals!

anon76292

Life = cheese.

anon70403

cheese is good on burgers.

anon64145

Maybe the reason we go crazy over cheese is because we enjoy it! If you're lactose intolerant and can't enjoy it, that's not our problem. we love cheese because it tastes good and that's the end of it!

anon61257

I like sausages and cheese on a sandwich with chili sauce. :D

anon58944

Well I like cheese. It tastes good and it works with crackers.

anon58893

Cheese rocks!

anon54938

Cheese is good :D

anon53026

Yummerz! My favorite kind is brie! I like it with crackers!

anon53025

We live in Wisconsin and I smile at all the cows we pass on the street. I smile because they make cheese. Cheese is a delicacy and everyone should be blessed with its yummy taste.

anon52847

it's cheese, people! calm down!

but cheesse is good. i want some now.

anon52203

I love every kind of cheese. Even the ones that smell like feet.

anon51826

i hate cheese. how can you people love that smelly, ugly thing (cheese)? It's disgusting!

anon51056

i love cheese. :)

anon45503

i don't care what anyone says. cheese is good!

anon26924

... and it's put on thousands of foods around the world...

anon24798

cause it's good.......

naiboo

why do people go crazy over cheese?

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    • Cheddar cheese wheels aging on shelves.
      Cheddar cheese wheels aging on shelves.
    • Cheese-making factory.
      Cheese-making factory.
    • A thick wedge of fontina cheese.
      By: Lsantilli
      A thick wedge of fontina cheese.
    • Jug of whey.
      Jug of whey.
    • Goat cheese.
      Goat cheese.
    • Slice of havarti cheese.
      Slice of havarti cheese.
    • A small bowl of grated Parmesan cheese.
      By: Bert Folsom
      A small bowl of grated Parmesan cheese.
    • Feta is a soft, salty cheese made from sheep's milk.
      By: Denis Tabler
      Feta is a soft, salty cheese made from sheep's milk.
    • Roquefort is a heritage cheese protected by the French government.
      By: yildiraycan
      Roquefort is a heritage cheese protected by the French government.