Mastering Basic Cheesemaking by Gianaclis Caldwell - Step by Step and Very Well Written

Mastering Basic Cheesemaking: The Fun and Fundamentals of Making Cheese at Home by Gianaclis Caldwell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

For anyone interested in learning about cheese and how to make it, this is a really well done guide.

Gianaclis Caldwell is a professional cheese maker who has written a text book for those interested in learning to make cheese. The book is not really one you would sit down to read. Instead it is a series of lessons. The lessons increase in difficulty and demonstrate not only how to make a specific form of cheese, but also provide a technique that can be built upon by the student.

Mastering Basic Cheesemaking starts with some historic background on the making of cheese. It is fascinating to see how similar forms of cheese have popped up around the world. But, the history lesson also includes some of the fundamental science behind cheese by describing the most likely methods used by primitive humans, and how those processes have evolved.

We then move on to the ingredients of cheese making, including the milk, the acid, the coagulant, the salt, etc. A discussion of the tools and processes then rounds out the introduction. Then each chapter becomes a lesson with the student learning a new process and recipe. The author recommends doing the lessons in order, as they are not simply recipes, but techniques that will be utilized further along as the reader becomes a more accomplished cheese maker.

What I liked about the lessons is how clear they are. All of the tools and ingredients are listed to help the reader gather everything they will need. A very high level list of steps is provided with a time approximation. Finally come the step by step instructions for completing the lesson, including troubleshooting techniques.

I have not started any of the lessons, but I am excited to give them a try. This book looks like a really fine way to get started at making cheese at home with a well-developed curriculum that is step by step easy to follow. I will update this review after trying a lesson or two.

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