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How is Cheese Made?

Mary McMahon
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Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 60,099
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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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Mary McMahon
By 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.

Discussion Comments
By anon353874 — On Nov 03, 2013

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.

By anon262597 — On Apr 20, 2012

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

By anon251329 — On Feb 29, 2012

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

By anon243172 — On Jan 26, 2012

What's so important about cheese?

By FoodTech — On Jan 22, 2012

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

By anon158345 — On Mar 06, 2011

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.

By anon138501 — On Jan 01, 2011

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

By anon116711 — On Oct 07, 2010

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

By anon96114 — On Jul 14, 2010

cheese is the greatest.

By anon91091 — On Jun 19, 2010

I'm simply crackers about cheese!

By anon90120 — On Jun 14, 2010

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

By anon81661 — On May 02, 2010

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?

By anon80814 — On Apr 28, 2010

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

By anon76292 — On Apr 09, 2010

Life = cheese.

By anon70403 — On Mar 14, 2010

cheese is good on burgers.

By anon64145 — On Feb 05, 2010

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!

By anon61257 — On Jan 19, 2010

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

By anon58944 — On Jan 05, 2010

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

By anon58893 — On Jan 05, 2010

Cheese rocks!

By anon54938 — On Dec 03, 2009

Cheese is good :D

By anon53026 — On Nov 18, 2009

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

By anon53025 — On Nov 18, 2009

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.

By anon52847 — On Nov 17, 2009

it's cheese, people! calm down!

but cheesse is good. i want some now.

By anon52203 — On Nov 12, 2009

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

By anon51826 — On Nov 09, 2009

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

By anon51056 — On Nov 03, 2009

i love cheese. :)

By anon45503 — On Sep 17, 2009

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

By anon26924 — On Feb 21, 2009

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

By anon24798 — On Jan 18, 2009

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

By naiboo — On Jan 17, 2009

why do people go crazy over cheese?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

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