Artisanal Cheesemaking

Contents:
1 Revival of a Moorlands tradition
The life-changing decision that turned a dream of cheesemaking in the Moorlands into a thriving business with award-winning products and a host of new friends
1
2 History of Cheesemaking on the Staffordshire Derbyshire borders
Brought to the moorlands district by 13th Century monks, cheesemaking grew into a thriving farmhouse activity followed by the establishment of many village factories
11
3 The Principles of Cheesemaking
A step-by-step guide to cheese types, the cheesemaking process, setting up a plant, cheese recipes and the key stages in making cheese
25
4 Starter Cultures
Starter cultures have developed significantely from the early days of "sour" raw milk as a "starter" to the Direct Vat Entry cultures of today. Cultures are the essence of cheese acid and flavour development and maturation
59
5 The Cheese Market
Identifying your target customers and drawing up an effective sales and marketing plan are as important to the success of your project as the quality of your product
67
6 Business Plan
Drawing up a detailed and realistic Business Plan, taking into account all the likely costs over at least a four-year period, is a vital step at the outset of cheesemaking
71
7 Farmers' Market Shop and Distribution Centre
The right sales and distribution channel is important to any artisanal food producer. This chapter details plans for a dedicated Farmers' Market Shop and Distribution Centre
85
8 HACCP - Hazards, Critical Control Points and Microbiology
A HACCP is needed by law (EU Regulation 852/2004, article 5), but it is also essential to ensuring safe food production. The food law requirements keep changing and the Specialist Cheesemakers' Association and Dairy UK keep cheesemakers up to date with current requirements
103
Appendices:
Application to register Staffordshire Cheese as a Protected Designation of Origin
Cheese Training Records
Cheese Process Records
Marketing Assistance with Cheese Development Suppliers
Daily pasteuriser detergent wash cycle procedure
Pasteuiser daily water rinsing after detergent washing procedure
Vitality Test
Lewis Method for bulk starter cultures
John Knox Ltd skills and services
The Staffordshire Cheese Company certificates
Cheese Yields
133
Index 162

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