Meet Lori and her Nigerian Dwarf wether, Crash. Lori lives near Longmont, Colorado (home of The Art of Cheese). She boards Crash at a nearby farm “where he can be close to his sisters.”
Lori has been making cheese at home ever since she attended a cheese tasting with The Art of Cheese that included visiting with baby goats. That was about two years ago. Since then she has taken several cheese- (and soap-) making classes at The Art of Cheese. “My favorite cheeses to make are Ricotta and Mozzarella”, but she also makes other cheeses such as Cheddar, Feta, and Brie. “I have a commercial cheesemaking form and a digital thermometer, other than that I use my regular kitchen equipment – sink, colander, that sort of thing. The digital thermometer is very helpful.”
Although Lori boards her goat, she spends lots of time with Crash – as well as many other animals. “I take care of Crash and his sisters when their owner in traveling. But it is nice not to have full-time responsibility.” She also volunteers at Briar Gate Farm about once a week, helping with the goats, and she rides horses. Lori also likes to look in on the new lambs, calves, chicks, puppies, and kittens at SkyPilot Farm, when she picks up her milk share. “Love the SkyPilot milk, just look at that cream! They are the best!!!”
Lori occasionally makes cheese with goat milk, and hopes to use more goat milk in future. “We hope to breed Crash’s sisters when they are ready. And I’d like to try making cheese with sheep milk someday, too.”
In the meantime, Lori tells us her biggest cheesemaking challenge is with Cheddar. “I find getting the cheddar curds to come together at the end of the process is a real challenge.” Yes, that is a big challenge because the curds are cool, acidic, and salted before pressing. It takes a lot of time and weight, but we have every confidence you’ll master it, Lori! Good luck with your growing herd, and thanks for sharing your story with Meet the Cheesemaker.
Submitted by Becca Heins, Certified Cheese Professional
