Cheese might already be in your refrigerator, but how does it go from milk to your plate? With this activity, kids will get hands-on experience making cheese from just a few simple ingredients and a little elbow grease.
In this activity, kids will learn how to make mozzarella cheese by measuring ingredients, following instructions, using a thermometer to measure temperature, and getting hands-on in the kitchen!
1. Clean your work area really well. Lingering bacteria or food particles can contaminate the cheese and cause it to not form properly.
2. Crush ¼ tablet of rennet and dissolve in ¼ cup of un-chlorinated water. Set aside.
3. Add 1 ½ teaspoons of citric acid to 1 cup of water. Pour the citric acid solution into a large pot. Quickly pour 1 gallon of cold milk into the pot to mix with the citric acid solution.
4. Heat the milk slowly to 90°F, you will notice it beginning to curdle slightly.
5. Slowly add the rennet solution to the milk and stir gently for about 30 seconds. Stop stirring, cover the pot, and let sit for 5 minutes. It should look like custard with a clear liquid.
6. Cut the curds in a 1-inch checkerboard pattern and put the pot back on the stove and heat to 105°F while stirring with a ladle. Take the pot off the burner and continue stirring for 2-5 minutes.
7. Transfer the curds to a colander and gently press the curds to remove as much whey as possible.
8. Transfer the curds to a microwavable bowl and microwave for 1 minute. Drain off all of the whey just like in the previous step. Knead the curds with a spoon until cool enough to handle after draining. Repeat this step two more times, but only microwave for 35 seconds.
9. Knead the curds like bread dough and continue to do so until the cheese is smooth and shiny. Add salt near the end of the kneading process. Knead into a ball and cool. Enjoy!
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