The Cheesemakers Pantry

christij · #1 06/03/08, 03:09 PM

I was wondering if anyone had purchased the Cheesemaker's Pantry (from Hoegger) and if they had been pleased with it. I have only made vinegar cheese and am looking to expand my cheesemaking horizons.

Niamh · #2 06/03/08, 03:27 PM

I am brand spanking new to cheese making, so I got this kit.

Overall? Meh.

The straining spoon is nice, the cheesecloth is great quality, the thermometer is fantastic - I love that thing.

The book is good. I've been using my other cheese making books because their instructions are better, but the book has lots of ideas for other things to do with the milk - who knew you could use it as whitewash?

But the cultures I've been disappointed with, they're just not that useful for me, in my situation. I already have kefir and a good quality yogurt to use for those starters, there's not enough of the other to give me a really good feel for making those (the sour cream, etc). The liquid rennet *is* useful. I just think that they should include more and different cultures.

christij · #3 06/03/08, 03:31 PM

I was wondering about the cultures as I have none other than vingerar and without a cheesemaking book I'm not sure what I need or don't need. I haven't attempted any yogurt. And with the way my DD eats it I should, but it would need fruit....

Tallabred · #4 06/03/08, 03:50 PM

I just started making cheese and went to cheesemaking.com. Service was wonderful - responded to email very fast. Ricki loves to make cheese and her 30 minute mozzarella was really that fast!

I made the vinegar but was not thrilled with it. I have been making yogurt cheese and love it. I made the yogurt, chilled it, then drained it. It is like cream cheese with a tang. I now use it every morning on my whole grain toast with jelly. I also mixed it with powdered cocoa + a little cinnamon + a squirt of honey to be eaten with apple slices for my chocolate fix without the calories.

I made chevre but with store bought goat milk - it is OK. I can't WAIT to get my new herd and make some from my own goat milk!

Niamh · #5 06/03/08, 04:55 PM

I made chevre with the rennet and my goats milk - it was really, really tasty.

lettermom · #6 06/03/08, 05:44 PM

i ordered a strip cup from hoegger on april 25th and it hasn't gotten here yet

A@VT · #7 06/03/08, 06:42 PM

I bought my cultures from New England Cheese Making Supply Company (cheesemaking.com) I also have her book Home Cheese Making I was very happy with her service I placed my order on a Saturday through the mail and received it the next Tuesday. I have waited months, yes months, when I have ordered from Hoeggers.

christij · #8 06/03/08, 07:06 PM

Wow - I have ordered from Hoeggers and never had problems.

I looked at New England Cheese Making but I wasn't sure what I needed or how long 2 oz of rennet would last... so would the fresh french goat cheese or should I go out with the gourmet home dairy kit to start me off?

lettermom · #9 06/03/08, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christij

Wow - I have ordered from Hoeggers and never had problems.

I looked at New England Cheese Making but I wasn't sure what I needed or how long 2 oz of rennet would last... so would the fresh french goat cheese or should I go out with the gourmet home dairy kit to start me off?

well the lady was super polite but my strip cup has taken a long time!!

mamajohnson · #10 06/04/08, 12:15 AM

I ordered the cheddar cheese kit from cheesmaking.com and love it.
Gave me a good start. With a cheese mold, some cheese cloth, thermometer and starters.

Now I have wax, a brush and more starters. I even made buttermilk with my milk the other day, and it is awesome!
Cottage cheese too is really good.

I think for starting that is a good kit to use. At least it worked for me!
lol!

christij · #11 06/04/08, 07:00 AM

I don't know if I am ready for chedder. Quick and easy until I have my confidence built up.

Has anyone used a Yogotherm? It looks like a simple process if there is such a thing in yogurt and cheesemaking.

Dreaming2Loudly · #12 06/04/08, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christij

I haven't attempted any yogurt. And with the way my DD eats it I should, but it would need fruit....

My kids add jam to our plain yogurt.

mamajohnson · #13 06/04/08, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christij

I don't know if I am ready for chedder. Quick and easy until I have my confidence built up.

Has anyone used a Yogotherm? It looks like a simple process if there is such a thing in yogurt and cheesemaking.

Yogurt is really really easy. Actually, most cheese is too, you just have to watch your directions, temperatures and such.
Hope over to the Dairy forum, there has been plenty discussion on making yogurt, lots of different ways to do it.

If you want a good overall on *how to* look here:
http://biology.clc.uc.edu/fankhauser/Cheese/CHEESE.HTML

That is the website I learned to make yogurt on. He has some good stuff on there.

christij · #14 06/07/08, 04:26 PM

I ordered the kit at 5:30 on Wed and it arrived today!!! So I am waiting for the Yogurt to drop to 110. Any additional suggestions for additives other than jam?? My family has been eating Activa mixed berry, cherry and strawberry....

mamajohnson · #15 06/07/08, 10:35 PM

I like yogurt with granola in it really well.
My kids put in honey, or maple syrup, chopped fruit, sometimes even cheerios (but that is just YUCK to me!)
It won't take long for you to get creative with it!