HOW CHEESE IS MADE
From dairy farm to cheesemonger, explore the art of turning spoiled milk into a favourite foodstuff
WORDS AILSA HARVEY
Whether it’s in the form of a French fondue, pizza topping, slice of grilled halloumi or sprinkling of feta, there’s a type of cheese to complement most savoury foods. Humans have produced cheese for around 4,000 years, but its exact origin remains unknown. One common theory is that it was discovered accidentally when stomachs taken from butchered cattle were used to carry milk. Inside the stomach is an enzyme that causes milk to curdle, and when transporting milk for long periods, people discovered that their milk had solidified in the process. Upon tasting it, others wanted to recreate this newly discovered foodstuff’s unique flavour. Over time, specific ingredients and controlled conditions provided the world with cheeses of different flavours, colours and textures.