When it comes to making cheese at home, we often have our favorites that we stick to. If you’re like most artisan cheesemakers, Cheddar, Brie, Feta, and Camembert are amongst our top-made recipes. In order to get the cheesy aroma and flavor we strive for, one key ingredient must be utilized—Mesophilic Culture. Used primarily for American-style cheese and specialty cheeses, Mesophilic Culture makes up an important portion of the home cheese making process. With two parts consisting of Lactic Acid Starter Bacteria (which produces lactic acid) and Aroma Producing Bacteria (which produces CO2 gas and flavor), it’s important to pay close attention to your culture as its components can make all the difference in the quality of your cheese. 

Mesophilic Culture | Making your Cheese

When it comes to creating soft, rich artisan cheese from home, determining the right culture will be a primary step in the process. Once you’ve decided on a cheese you’re up for making, classifying a Mesophilic Culture will be next. Choosing the right culture is all up to the type of cheese, temperature and personal preference from prior experience. With a culture chosen, maintaining your mesophilic starter will be of high importance.

Now that you’ve taken the proper steps to protect the quality of your cheese-in-the-making, you’re ready to start mixing. A little bit of this culture goes a long way if you follow the correct method. Before adding, shake the packet well to get strains mixed evenly. It’s important to avoid using a handheld utensil to mix your culture. Rather, shake out the desired amount of the culture. Once you’ve added the right amount based on the size of your batch, fold your packet over a couple of times and store in a tightly sealed zip lock bag. This will preserve your Mesophilic Culture for future cheese making. Store your cultures in the freezer. Next time you use them, transfer to the refrigerator then to room temperature prior to opening. This insures no humidity can compromise their effectiveness.

As a foundation for soft cheeses, using kits to assure quality strains and consistency will improve your home cheese making experience. For cultures that meet the needs of your select cheese, such as the Mesophilic Starter Series MM100-10, you can visit our mesophilic page.