As a follow up to this mornings post, I thought I would show everyone how to wax a cheese.
The cheese wax is a special formulation and is not the same as paraffin or candle wax. That type of wax is too brittle to be used to coat cheese, as the cheese needs a solid yet flexible covering to keep the air and bacteria out of it and to keep the remaining moisture locked in to help with the maturation process. I received a kilogram of red cheese wax with my kit and it is about $15 per kilo. It should last quite a while, because you can reuse the wax again after you have eaten your cheese. I even used some wax that Ben collected off of his baby bell cheeses! He was very happy to contribute.
So firstly, I set up a double boiler a small pan with about 5 cm of water.
On top of the pan use a stainless steel or glass container that you can reuse specifically for cheese making. Once you melt the wax in the container, it is very difficult to get it back out again. Once the water has boiled, keep it at a simmer. This temperature will be sufficient to melt all of the wax.
Don’t try and put the entire block of wax in like this because you will be there for a month of Sundays!
Cut the block up into smaller pieces and it will melt much quicker.
After about 15 minutes, this is what you end up with. A nice smooth consistency, just ready to dip the wheel into.
So here is the cheese before, nice a dry with no visible liquid. I turned it about three times a day so that the remaining whey would drain out evenly.
Now the tricky part, and unfortunately no photos, because I had my own safety to consider and the wax was bloody hot!
Grab the wheel firmly and dip it into the wax so that it is half coated. Without dropping it, let it dry for about 2 minutes, rotate 180 degrees, then holding by the waxed side, dip it again. Hold for another 2 minutes and allow to dry. You will find a very thin layer of wax over the entire wheel. Repeat the process about 3 to 4 more times, ensuring that you don’t hold it in the wax too long, as you don’t want the cheese to melt. Check for an even coating, and if you are satisfied that it is dry enough, rest the wheel on some baking paper and place in the fridge to harden and mature. This is what it should look like (I think).
It has no holes in the wax, and is about 3mm thick all over. In about 3 months, I will let you know how it tastes!
Kim tells me that in 3 weeks time I should make another one! I think she might just be on to something!
Wow, that looks great! I’d really like to try this someday.
So this is what an adult baby belle cheese wheel looks like? Ha ha. My kids asked what the mummy & daddy belle cheese looks like cause the baby ones are yummy.
xoxox
Is there no end to your knowledge Gav??
I am constantly amazed by what you can learn reading other’s blogs.
I am very impressed that you make your own cheese and even add the professionally looking wax to seal it.
Hi! I have also made cheese with the milk from my goats. You can also brush the wax on in layers with a clean paint brush. I did this with a colby and a cheddar and it worked beautifully. And you don’t have to worry about dropping the cheese in the wax :0