Serious Cheese: Cheesemaking on NPR's Science Friday
I was pleasantly surprised to hear one of my favorite radio shows, NPR's Science Friday, tackle the science of cheesemaking on its most recent show. The program featured Liz Thorpe, vice president of Murray's and author of The Cheese Chronicles, a new book about making and selling cheese in America.
The segment covers many of the basic scientific underpinnings of cheesemaking, including the roles of coagulating factors like acid and rennet, the process behind processed cheese, how to tell when cheese is spoiled, what makes stinky cheeses stinky, why Swiss cheese has holes, and other fun facts.
The website also has a short video of a visit to Hendricks Farms and Dairy near Philadelphia. In it, proprietor Trent Hendricks discusses the make process for his Cheddar Blue, as well as the reasons why Ayrshire cows make milk that's perfect for making cheese. He also delivers a choice quote right at the end of the video: "The fact of the matter is, I just teach milk how to become cheese. And that's what [it] is. [It's] really, really good milk, preserved."
About the author: Jamie Forrest publishes Curdnerds.com from his apartment in Brooklyn, New York, where he lives with his wife, his two children, and his cheese.
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4 Comments:
Fun! I've been making cheeses recently, it's really an amazing process. I've been getting this absolutely delicious raw milk from 100% grass and forage fed Jersey cows. I am soooo looking forward to tasting my creations this winter. So far I've made two grana style cheeses and one ricotta salata with the leftover whey. Next up will be a blue cheese. I recommend it to anyone who loves cheese and has a little patience.
simon at 5:41PM on 08/18/09
@simon, my you are a busy little bee..... are you making honey yet?
:^) pooch
pooch at 10:44PM on 08/18/09
I wish! I am unfortunately still a city dweller. If I had even a small shred of land, I would definitely have a hive.
simon at 4:57PM on 08/19/09
@simon - i'm sure one day you'll wind up on your little patch of land.... it's really peaceful. but the city is as mystifying as nature, also!
pooch at 10:28PM on 08/19/09