Blue Cheese Culture

In the production of certain cheeses (Stilton, Gorgonzola, Roquefort for example) a blue mould is grown on the surface of the cheese using a culture known as Penicillium Roqueforti. This is added to the milk prior to the introduction of rennet to encourage the growth of the mould.

Actual Roquefort is a blue cheese (protected by AOC guidelines) originating from the south of France, which is traditionally made from sheep’s milk. The Penicillium Roqueforti used in its production is found in the soil of local caves, and was originally ‘harvested’ by cheesemakers by leaving bread to ‘mould’ in the caves, which was later dried to a powder.

Today the culture can be produced in labs, used in a variety of blue cheeses and purchased from Moorlands – a much more straightforward way to acquire it! Just visit www.cheesemaking.co.uk/penicillium-roqueforti-cheese-making-culture?filter_name=roquefort

Use the culture to make your own tasty blue cheese at home – delicious!

Popular Press

As you progress with cheesemaking at home, there are a number of items of equipment that you will find beneficial to enable you to obtain great results, one of these being a good quality cheese press.

Certainly in the making of harder cheeses, a press is necessary to “knit the curds” (bring them together in a mass) using specific pressure, which will also remove any extra whey, producing the texture of cheese that you’re aiming for.

Moorlands cheese presses were originally designed some 50 years ago and we’re pleased to still be using this traditional, tried and tested design today. Produced by a small UK plastic fabrications company, our presses are available in large (for up to four kilos of hard cheese) and small (up to one kilo) sizes, fitted with carefully crafted spring mechanisms to enable the correct pressure to be applied. You can view our presses by visiting www.cheesemaking.co.uk/cheese-making-cheese-presses

Commended for their ease of use and no-fuss cleaning, compact style and great results, Moorlands presses are a must-have for budding and advanced cheesemakers alike.

At Moorlands we believe that by using good quality ingredients and equipment, you too can make great cheese

A Great Start!

At Moorlands we supply high quality cheesemaking equipment and supplies, with our starter cultures being no exception. Our excellent selection of starter cultures ensure that whatever variety of cheese you decide to make, it gets off to a good start!

What are starter cultures?

The first stage in making cheese involves ‘ripening’ the milk, converting the sugars (lactose) in the milk to lactic acid. Starter cultures, which are basically strains of bacteria originally sourced during the natural cheesemaking process, but now often grown in labs, control this process.

There are two main groups of culture, mesophilic that like moderate temperatures and thermophilic, which react to warmer conditions, with each type being bettersuited to specific cheeses.

We’re pleased to offer a wide range of starter cultures aimed at a broad selection of popular cheeses, buttermilk and yogurt. Whether you’re looking for something specific, such as a starter for Gouda, Mozzarella or Parmesan, or are looking to purchase a handy starter kit containing multiple options, we offer great choice. Just take a look at www.cheesemaking.co.uk/cheese-making-cultures to view the options.

Remember, great cheese starts with a great culture!

For more information!

Visit www.cheesemaking.co.uk

Phone 0196 335 0634

Write to: Moorland Cheesemakers LTD

               Lorien House

               South Street

               Castle Cary

               Somerset

               BA7 7ES

Welcome to Moorlands

Welcome to the blog for Moorlands Cheesemaking Ltd, suppliers of professional-style cheesemaking kits that allow you to make delicious cheese tailored to your individual tastes, in your own home.

Originally established in 1969, Moorlands is based in Somerset, home of traditional English Cheddar and the popular Frome Agricultural and Cheese Show. People from all walks of life including top London restaurateurs and well-known celebrity chefs have purchased our cheese kits.

The beauty of making your own cheese is that you can take into account your own personal food intolerances or tastes. For example, if you are unable to digest cows’ milk, you can use goats’ or ewes’ milk instead or if you like a cheese flavoured with herbs or spices you can add these when making your cheese.

Our cheesemaking kits come complete with liquid rennet (an enzyme complex that curdles milk) and high quality starters (cultures containing lactic-acid producing bacteria used in the fermentation process). They also contain the necessary equipment to get started with the cheesemaking process including cheese moulds, thermometer, cheesecloth, full instructions and, in the case of hard cheese kits, a press. 

Whether you’re looking to take up a new interest yourself or are seeking a slightly more unusual gift, a Moorlands cheesemaking kit is the ideal choice.

For more information please visit www.cheesemaking.co.uk

For enquiries please call 0196 335 0634 or use our customer enquiry form at www.cheesemaking.co.uk/index.php?route=information/contact

We look forward to hearing from you and sharing our love of cheesemaking.