Introduction to Artisan Cheesemaking

Discover the fascinating world of artisan cheesemaking on this practical one-day course, designed for beginners and enthusiastic food lovers alike.

Through a combination of hands-on making and expert tuition, you’ll explore the techniques used to create a range of soft, semi-hard and hard cheeses while gaining an understanding of the science and craftsmanship behind the process.

Throughout the day, you’ll follow the cheesemaking journey from milk to finished cheese, learning how factors such as acidification, coagulation, temperature and time influence flavour, texture and character. With guidance from our expert tutors, you’ll gain experience in setting, cutting, cooking, draining, moulding, pressing and salting curds while discovering the differences between various cheese styles.

Alongside the practical sessions, you’ll explore milk chemistry, starter cultures, rennets, ripening and maturation, developing a deeper understanding of the processes that transform milk into cheese. Guided tastings throughout the day will help illustrate how flavour and texture develop over time, providing valuable insight into the art of cheesemaking.

Whether you’re completely new to cheesemaking or looking to build confidence and broaden your knowledge, this course will provide a solid foundation in artisan cheesemaking and the skills to continue experimenting at home.

What You’ll Learn

Through hands-on cheesemaking and expert tuition, you will:

• Understand the principles of milk handling, acidification and coagulation
• Explore the role of starter cultures, rennets and moulds in cheesemaking
• Learn how to set, cut, cook, drain, mould and press curds
• Understand the techniques used to create soft, semi-hard and hard cheeses
• Discover how salting, ageing and maturation influence flavour and texture
• Gain practical knowledge of hygiene, equipment care and best practice for small-scale cheesemaking
• Build the confidence to continue making cheese at home

What You’ll Make

During the course, you’ll create and explore a variety of artisan cheese styles, including:

Fresh and Soft Cheeses

Learn the techniques used to create delicate, fresh and soft cheeses while exploring the role of moisture, acidity and maturation.

Hard and Semi-Hard Cheeses

Discover how curd cutting, cooking, pressing and ageing contribute to the texture, structure and flavour of firmer cheese styles.

Cheese Tasting and Evaluation

Throughout the day, you’ll taste a range of cheeses at different stages of development, helping you understand how maturation transforms flavour, aroma and texture.

Who Is This Course For?

This course is ideal for anyone with an interest in artisan food and traditional food skills. Whether you’re looking to try cheesemaking for the first time, deepen your understanding of the craft, or gain the confidence to start making cheese at home, this immersive one-day course offers the perfect introduction. Lunch is included and features a selection of local, seasonal produce from the Welbeck Estate.