Craft cheese: what is it?

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

The store has an unimaginable variety of cheeses on the shelves. But it is much more pleasant to make such a product yourself in order to be sure of its quality. And not so long ago, craft cheese production appeared, where a lot of advantages open up. Craft cheese - what is it? You will learn about this in this article.

What is this?

Many people still wonder what it is - craft cheese? The word “craft” itself means a small production, the volumes of which are not large. Craft cheese is a product made by hand. It is made at home or in private cheese dairies. Unlike mass-produced cheeses, craft cheeses provide an exquisite aroma, bright taste, which contains only natural ingredients.

Benefits

Craft cheese has many benefits:

• made from natural environmentally friendly raw materials;
• has a pronounced aroma and piquant taste;
• the process of each unit is carefully controlled;
• has a uniquerecipe;
• As a rule, each product is certified and has a quality guarantee.

Compared to ordinary store-bought cheeses, craft cheeses are subject to more stringent quality control due to their small production volumes. An individual approach to each product makes the cheese even more special and valuable.

How to choose?

When choosing a craft cheese, the first step should be familiarity with the production conditions. Undoubtedly, compliance with recipes, hygiene, as well as the legal framework, are among the important criteria when choosing. It is better to give preference to those manufacturers who conscientiously and responsibly treat their business.

According to experts, the cheese of private cheese factories differs in composition and taste for the better, in contrast to factory ones. And this is despite the fact that there is a single technical regulation for all manufacturers of these products.

Many large manufacturers, in order to increase their earnings, add vegetable fats instead of animal fats, and replace natural milk with dry milk. This, of course, affects the taste and quality of the product. Therefore, small private cheese dairies are distinguished by high quality cheese, as they are made from natural raw materials, while expanding their customer base.

Where to buy?

You can find craft cheeses made from cow, goat and sheep milk, cooked according to unique recipes. You can buy such an unusually tasty and fresh product at farmers' fairs and markets, festivals and varioussimilar events. Also, today there are many private cheese dairies that can be found using social networks.

Understanding varieties and tricks

Many people ask themselves the question, how can it be, for example, craft mozzarella, because it has long been a well-known variety of cheese made according to a specific recipe.

Thanks to the following video you can get to know the different varieties of craft cheeses:

Private cheese dairies can create their own recipes, and also have the right to use classic technologies and prepare cheeses familiar to the buyer: ricotta, cheese, mozzarella. Undoubtedly, getting to know new original cheese recipes is much more interesting.

Craft Cachotta Cheese

One of the most popular cheeses is Cachotta. In Italy, it is impossible to imagine any dish without this ingredient, but it can also be found on Russian shelves. One of the most famous brands of this variety is "At Palych". Cachotta craft cheese from "Palych" has long established itself as a natural and proven product.

The main difference of this variety is its delicate, sweet aftertaste and light nutty aroma. With aging, the taste of Cachotta becomes even more intense and piquant.

Recipe

This recipe is called "Usolsky Craft Cheese" as it was published in the local Usolskaya newspaper.

For its preparation you will need:

• milk- 1.5 l;
• s alt - 1 tsp;
• eggs - 3 pcs;
• sour cream - 0.5 l.

Progress:

1. Pour one and a half liters of pasteurized milk into a non-stick pan and put one teaspoon of s alt.
2. Beat the eggs with sour cream as quickly as possible and then pour in the milk in a small stream.
3. Bring this mixture to a boil, stirring constantly.
4. During the boiling process, milk is separated into curd mass and whey. We filter the cooled curd mass through a sieve, and then place it in a special mold for cheese and press it down on the press table. As a general rule, the lighter the load, the softer the cheese will be and vice versa.
5. Cooked cheese must be allowed to brew for at least seven hours. The ripening period of the product depends on its variety. For example, soft cheeses such as feta, brie, and camembert will take anywhere from a couple of days to two weeks. As for hard varieties: gouda, parmesan - they ripen up to three years. The process of making hard cheeses is much more complicated, so their cost is usually higher.

This craft cheese recipe could well replace the feta variety used in Greek salad. To give a new taste, cheese can be made with olives, dill, paprika or walnuts. When adding additional ingredients, you should first rinse them, chop them and, in the process of boiling, add the contents to the pan. This is done in order not to digest the components, but at the same time destroy harmful microorganisms that may be on the products. The amount of s alt can also be added at your discretion. Experiment, fantasize and create your own unique craft cheese recipes.

What do they eat with?

Cheese is served as a cut, and is also added to salads and various other dishes. Each craft cheese is unique in its own way: some have a tart rich taste, while others are a bit bland. Therefore, it is important to know the right combination of products to improve the palatability.

There are several win-win combinations:

1. Cheese and fruits. Most varieties go well with fruit. For example, the taste of brie is perfectly complemented by strawberries, apples and grapes. And camembert will be even tastier in combination with pear, grapes, pomegranate or apple. Parmesan goes best with peach, kiwi, pineapple and melon. Fresh notes of mozzarella brighten up exotic fruits such as quince, grapes, kiwi and dates.
2. Cheese and nuts. It's no secret that cheeses go great with nuts. Almonds, cashews, or walnuts are best for bringing out the delicate flavor of the cheese.
3. Cheese and vegetables. This combination is popular not only in Russia, but also in Europe. As a rule, you can decorate and give a new taste to a cheese plate with cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce. An unusual combination is cheese with pumpkin or beets. Despite the fact that this combination is not considered standard, it complements each other and gives a unique taste.

We looked at what craft cheese is and how it can becook. Choose for yourself only high-quality goods, from a manufacturer whose products meet the requirements.