To a cheese maker, the best cheese cloth is one item you simply cannot ignore. It is an integral tool that is necessary for the cheese making process as you are probably already aware. Some people also be use it for straining yogurt to make it thicker.
Properly pasteurized yogurt milk should not undergo syneresis because the serum proteins are fully denatured to bind more water. If you strain whey off yogurt to make it thicker, sell the product at premium prices to cover the lost whey.
The gauzy cloth comes in different microns and is usually made of cotton fiber. Grades vary from open (grade 10) to very fine textured cheese cloths classified under grade 90. The different grades determine the quantity of solids the cloth can retain during straining.
It allows water and very fine particles to pass through while retaining solid particles (curd in this case). The holes also allow free circulation of air around the aging cheese.
This is the traditional method used for making cheese. English cheddar cheese is a popular example of cheeses that use the cheese cloth in cheese making.
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The best cheese cloth should have the following features:
Check out the homesteader's video below to see how to use the cheese cloth to strain whey off the curd.
Video by Homesteading
The alternative uses of a cheese cloth include the following:
You can use cheese cloth for straining water in other recipes like almond milk, fresh fruit drinks, infused oils, and even ketchup. Just spread the cheese cloth over a straining bowl and pour the stock on the cloth.
if you want to add some fanfare to the curd, just cut the curd into small pieces refrigerate for a few minutes to firm them up. Wrap the pieces in small pieces of cheese cloths and twist the ends to impress the shape of the cloth onto the curd.
Tie a piece of cheese cloth on the mouth of sugar jar and shake the jar over the cookies for even spreading of the ingredient.
Cover the food (chicken) with a cheese cloth drenched in butter before putting it in the oven.
Due to its light texture, you can use the cheese cloth to make a light and comfortable summer wear.
The cheese cloth is wrapped on the devices, which are then simulated under hazardous conditions like electrical power surges. The cloth should not catch fire for a fail safe device.
Many people complain that the cheese cloth is not very durable. Some even say that they dispose their pieces after just one use. This makes it very expensive.
The following are some of the alternatives to cheese cloth that have produced satisfactory results.
This is one of the most popular alternatives to a cheese cloth. The muslin cloth is strong, durable, and cheap. It can be re-used several times.
Since you can buy the muslin cloth by the yard, you can determine the size you want rather than being forced to buy predetermined sizes. It is easy to handle and you can tear it along the thread-line to obtain the size you require for your needs.
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Choose a light (preferably) plain colored cotton fabric to use for straining. It is advisable to use the chosen fabric for straining only since some of the stocks you will be straining may cause permanent staining.
Think of a laundry bag or paint strainer bag. These are excellent alternatives to a cheese cloth and get the work done pretty well. They are easier to use, clean, and last relatively longer than a regular cheese cloth.
These light cotton towels are used in the kitchen as an absorbent for drying the utensils. They have a finer mesh than the regular cheese cloth but are lighter than the normal kitchen towels.
They have excellent straining capacity and can replace the cheese cloth in the kitchen. Since they have a finer mesh, the straining will take a little bit longer.
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This is another off-the-books alternative to a cheese cloth, which is not only cheaper but also very easy to use. Choose a large handkerchief and make sure you dedicate it to straining purposes.
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Coffee filters are strongly woven and they have a fine mesh to keep coffee debris out of your drink. If you have a reusable filter, that would be a perfect strainer alternative to muslin cloth.
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These are just some of the most common options to a cheese cloth. You can improvise other options as well.
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