The store on the shelves has an unimaginable variety of cheeses. But it is much more pleasant to make such a product yourself to be sure of its quality. And not so long ago, a craft production of cheese appeared, where a lot of advantages are opened. Craft cheese - what is it? You will learn about this in this article.
What is it?
Many 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 handmade product. It is made at home or in private cheese dairies. Unlike mass-produced cheeses, craft provides an exquisite aroma, bright taste, which contains only natural ingredients.
Benefits
Craft cheese has many advantages:
- made from natural environmentally friendly raw materials;
- It has a pronounced aroma and spicy taste;
- the operation of each unit is carefully monitored;
- has a unique recipe;
- As a rule, each product is certified and has a quality guarantee.
Compared with regular store cheeses, craft, due to small production volumes, are subject to more stringent quality control. An individual approach to each product individually makes cheese even more special and valuable.
How to choose?
When choosing craft cheese, the first step should be familiarity with the conditions of production. Undoubtedly, adherence to recipes, hygiene, as well as the legal framework, are important criteria for choosing. It is better to give preference to those manufacturers who conscientiously and with all responsibility treat their business.
According to experts, the cheese of a private cheese factory differs in composition and taste for the better, in contrast to factory cheese. And this is despite the fact that for all manufacturers of these products there is a single technical regulation.
To increase earnings, many large producers add vegetable fats instead of animal fats, and replace natural milk with dry milk. This undoubtedly affects the taste and quality of the product. Therefore, small private cheese factories are of high quality cheese, as they are made from natural raw materials, while expanding their customer base.
Where to get?
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 various similar events. Also, today there are many private cheese factories that can be found using social networks.
We understand the varieties and tricks
Many people ask themselves the question, how can it be, for example, craft mozzarella, because this is a long-known cheese variety made according to a specific recipe.
Thanks to the following video, you can get to know more closely the different varieties of craft cheeses:
Private dairies can create their own recipes, and also have the right to use classic technologies and prepare the usual cheese for the buyer: ricotta, feta cheese, mozzarella. Undoubtedly, acquaintance with new original cheese recipes is much more interesting.
Cacotta Craft Cheese
One of the most popular cheeses is the caccotta variety. In Italy, it is impossible to imagine a single dish without this ingredient, but it can also be found on Russian shelves. One of the most famous brands of this variety is "At Palycha". Couchcott Craft Cheese from Palych has long established itself as a natural and proven product.
The main difference of this variety is its gentle, sweetish taste and light nutty flavor. When aged, the taste of the cacotta becomes even more intense and piquant.
Recipe
This recipe is called "Usolsky Kraft Cheese", as it was published in the local Usolsky newspaper.
To prepare it you will need:
- milk - 1.5 l;
- salt - 1 tsp;
- eggs - 3 pcs;
- sour cream - 0.5 l.
Course of action:
- Pour one and a half liters of pasteurized milk into a non-stick pan and put one teaspoon of salt.
- Beat eggs with sour cream as soon as possible and pour a milk after a small stream.
- Bring this mixture to a boil, while stirring constantly.
- In the process of boiling, milk is divided into cottage cheese and whey. Filter the cooled curd mass through a sieve, and then place it in a special form for cheese and press it on the press table. As a rule, the lighter the load, the softer the cheese will be and, accordingly, vice versa.
- Cooked cheese must be allowed to infuse for at least seven hours. The ripening period of a product depends on its variety. For example, soft cheeses such as feta, brie and camembert will need from a couple of days to two weeks. As for the hard varieties: gouda, parmesan - they ripen up to three years. The process of making hard cheese is much more complicated, so their cost is usually higher.
Such a recipe for craft cheese 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, rinse them, grind them and add the contents to the pot during boiling. This is done in order not to digest the components, but at the same time destroy the harmful microorganisms that may be on the products. The amount of salt can also be added at your discretion. Experiment, fantasize and create your own unique crafting cheese recipes.
What to eat with?
Cheese is served as a cut, and it is also added to the salad and various other dishes. Each craft cheese is unique in its own way: some have a tart, rich taste, while others are a bit freshish. Therefore, it is important to know the right combination of products to improve palatability.
There are several win-win combinations:
- Cheese and fruit. Most varieties go well with fruit. For example, the taste of brie will perfectly complement strawberries, apples and grapes. And camembert will become even tastier in the combination of pears, grapes, pomegranate or apple. Peach, kiwi, pineapple and melon are best suited for parmesan. Fresh notes of mazzarella will brighten up exotic fruits such as quince, grapes, kiwi and dates.
- Cheese and nuts. It's no secret that cheeses go well with nuts. In order to emphasize the refined taste of cheese, almonds, cashews or walnuts are best.
- 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 using cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce. An unusual combination is cheese with pumpkin or beetroot. Despite the fact that such a combination is not considered standard, it complements each other and gives a unique taste.
We examined what constitutes craft cheese and how it can be prepared. Choose for yourself only quality goods from the manufacturer whose products meet the requirements.