Are you craving for a delicious Swiss Cheese? If you’re looking to make some of that famous Swiss Cheese, you’ve come to the right place. We will tell you all about the ingredients, steps and tips to make Swiss Cheese like a pro!
When it comes to making Swiss Cheese, you’ll need some supplies before you get started. First you’ll need the right type of milk. You can use cow’s milk or even goat’s milk. You’ll also need rennet, lactic acid, and salt. An anaerobic environment and the right temperature are also necessary for the cheese making process.
Steps for Making Swiss Cheese
- Step 1: Prepare the milk – Heat the milk to 25oC (77oF), then add the rennet, lactic acid, and salt to it.
- Step 2: Curdling – Hold the mixture at this temperature for 30 minutes, or until it has reached the “curdling point”. This will form cubes of the curd.
- Step 3: Cutting the curd – Use a knife to cut the curd into 10mm squares. Stir the curd for an additional 10 minutes.
- Step 4: Heat the curd – Heat the curd to 38oC (100oF) and stir for 20 minutes.
- Step 5: Pre-draining – Empty the curd into a cheese cloth. Allow the whey to drain from the curd for 30 minutes.
- Step 6: Molding – Form the curd into cylinders and allow it to drain for an additional 30 minutes in the cheese cloth.
- Step 7: Brining – Place the curd into a saturated brine with a temperature of 18oC (64oF) for 1-2 hours. The brine will give the cheese its famous flavor.
- Step 8: Hoop Placing – Place the curd in pre-formed circular molds and allow to ripen for a few hours.
Tips for Making Swiss Cheese
- Make sure to buy the cheese molds for the right size. Ideally, each cheese should weigh 250-350 grams.
- Keep an eye on the temperature while making the cheese so that the texture is just right.
- After brining, press the cheese gently in its mold, then turn the cheese every couple of days so that it ripens evenly.
- Don’t forget that patience is key when making cheese. The ripening process can take anywhere from two weeks to two months.
Now you are ready to enjoy your homemade Swiss cheese!. Making Swiss cheese at home is a fun way to learn about cheese making and can be a delicious chemistry experiment too. With the right ingredients, steps, and tips in mind, you can make the perfect Swiss cheese that is sure to impress your family and friends. Bon Appétit!