Lesson 1Milk reception and testing protocol: sensory checks, temperature control, pH/TA, mastitis indicators, and acceptance thresholdsThis part sets strong milk intake plans, with sense checks, temp and clean control, pH acid measure, sickness and drug screens, accept or reject levels for cheese milk.
Visual, odor, and cleanliness inspectionMeasuring temperature, pH, and titratable acidityRapid tests for mastitis and antibioticsMicrobial load and somatic cell guidelinesAcceptance, downgrading, and rejection rulesLesson 2Salting methods: dry salting and brining procedures, brine concentration and temperature management, salt uptake timelinesThis part details salt plans, dry salt and brine steps, brine strength temp control, salt take times, salt effects on taste, feel, germ safety.
Dry salting rates and surface coverageBrine formulation, strength, and make-upBrine temperature, pH, and calcium balanceImmersion time, salt uptake, and gradientsBrine filtration, sanitation, and rotationLesson 3Coagulation step: rennet dose calculation, ideal coagulation temperatures, setting time and cut testing methodsFocus on setting step, rennet pick and dose, best setting temps, time, floc ways, cut tests for steady gel strength and curd quality.
Rennet types, strength, and storage careDose calculations by milk volume and pHCoagulation temperature targets and controlFlocculation method and multiplier choiceClean break and curd firmness evaluationsLesson 4Heat treatments: pasteurization methods (LTLT, HTST), effects on cultures and enzymes, and holding/cooling best practicesExplains heat options for cheese milk, low-temp-long-time vs high-temp-short-time, effects on cultures enzymes, best hold cool to stop heat harm or dirt.
LTLT time–temperature targets and validationHTST settings, flow patterns, and legal limitsEffects of heat on starter and adjunct culturesEnzyme inactivation, denaturation, and benefitsCooling curves, holding tanks, and hygieneLesson 5Curd handling: cutting size tables by cheese style, gentle stirring vs. vigorous milling, cooking temperatures and timingCovers curd cut size, stir style, cook plans shaping water, feel, output, tables by style, tips to avoid curd breaks, clumping, fat fines loss.
Curd size guidelines by cheese styleKnife and harp setup, speed, and sequenceGentle stirring versus milling intensityCooking temperature ramps and holding timesMonitoring curd firmness and moisture lossLesson 6Inoculation with cultures: dosing calculations, rehydration/activation, ripening time and target pH trajectoryDetails culture pick, dose math, soak active steps, ripen time, pH paths, linking adds to taste, feel, safety, steady steps.
Selecting mesophilic and thermophilic blendsDosing calculations by milk volume and activityRehydration, activation, and dispersion stepsRipening time, pH trajectory, and endpointsAdjunct cultures for flavor and eye formationLesson 7Draining, molding and pressing: drainage techniques, mold types, press pressures and time schedules, turning frequencyExplains drain, mold, press plans, curd move, whey out, mold pick, press strength times, turn rates for target shape, feel, water.
Curd transfer methods and whey separationChoosing mold shapes, sizes, and linersGravity draining versus mechanical aidsPress pressure steps and time schedulesTurning frequency and defect preventionLesson 8Packaging and labeling steps: food-safe wrapping, vacuum vs. breathable packaging, storage temperature and best-before considerationsCovers pack choices by style, safe wraps, vacuum breathable, label needs, store temps, pack effects on store life quality.
Selecting wraps for fresh and aged cheesesVacuum packaging limits and oxygen controlBreathable films for mold-ripened cheesesLabeling: ingredients, allergens, and datesStorage temperature and distribution logisticsLesson 9Aging and rind management: humidity and temperature schedules over time, washing/abrading/flowering protocols, mold and yeast controlLooks at maturing room design control, damp temp plans, skin grow ways, wash rub bloom steps, mold yeast handle for natural washed bloomy skins.
Designing aging rooms and airflow patternsTemperature and humidity schedules by styleWashed rind brine recipes and brushingNatural rind brushing, dry cleaning, and repairMold and yeast monitoring and interventions
