Cheese: A Health Food? Easiest Way to Make Your Own Farmer’s Cheese at Home

Yes! Cheese is no longer taboo!

Well, cheeses cultured from high quality, pasture raised animal milks that is.

Not all cheeses are created equal, some are even made with “cheese-product” and not milk and cultures at all. This is why I want to introduce you to easy cheese making at home with Farmer’s Cheese.

But first a little evidence behind my “cheese is a health food” claim. Farmer’s Cheese specifically – Like homemade milk Kefir- is actually a great source of many essential vitamins and minerals, helping you avoid common health issues without any risk of unsightly love-handles.

More specifically, the nutrients in Farmer’s Cheese can help prevent Osteoporosis- the disease characterized by fragile, porous bones. By eating this cheese containing adequate amounts of protein, calcium, and vitamin D, your body can keep your bones strong. These nutrients also add to the health and integrity of your teeth! No wonder that’s why when prompted to smile for a picture you say “cheese”!

Deficiency in Vitamin B12 has also become very common these days, and may be due to the misguiding health information about dairy products. This essential vitamin can only be found naturally in animal products, or synthetically in supplements. So next time you’re asked: ” Would you like cheese with that?” smile and say: “Yes!” knowing you’re providing your body with a vital nutrient in a delicious way.

The last health point I’d like to mention is how fats are essential to a healthy diet. They help you eat less by keeping you more full, and are necessary to help you absorb certain vitamins. I encourage you to be very selective when choosing your fats. Where and how your fats are sourced is the defining factor to their consumption being beneficial or harmful. But rest assured that homemade Farmer’s Cheese made from your very own homemade milk kefir will provide the healthy fat your body loves and needs!

It may sound like a lot of health claims, but I assure you Farmer’s Cheese can deliver in these ways by the nutrients it contains. By no means is farmers cheese a “miracle food”, but adding it to your weekly diet can provide your body with tools it needs!

Here’s How to Make Farmer’s Cheese:

If you are already making your own milk kefir at home, this is a great and easy recipe to add variety and enjoy all that kefir-goodness! If interested in getting started on making your own milk kefir, you can get milk kefir grains Here (my Etsy Shop) or Here (My Ebay Store) Or if you have another source for grains, simply comment below and I’ll be happy to guide you on how to culture milk kefir!

Steps to Making Farmer’s Cheese

1. Ferment your kefir in a 1/2 gallon jar as you typically do
2. Line a colander with 2-3 layers cheesecloth (or a single coffee Filter) and put over large bowl (to catch the whey)
3. Pour room temp kefir into colander & tie up corners of the cheesecloth to make a “pouch/bag” and let hang overnight in your fridge or cool kitchen countertop. Or if using a coffee filter, simply place coffe filter lined strainer over bowl and put in fridge for 8-48 hours (depending how dry you like your cheese)
4. In the morning save the whey that dripped out (for smoothies, cooking, or fermenting veggies)
5. (if using cheese cloth) Put the kefir/cheese “bag” between two plates* and put a weight on top, Let sit for a few hours (depending on how hard/dry you want the cheese to be ((* You can add herbs, or honey at this point to flavor the cheese.))
6. Refrigerate after its reached the texture you prefer

Now maybe you’ll be switching out farmer’s cheese instead of, say, cream cheese to top your favorite bread (or home-baked Almond Flour Bread)

Nutrition Facts:  Farmer’s Cheese v. Cream Cheese (2 Tablespoon serving)

The Good:  Farmer’s cheese is lower in calories, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium compared to cream cheese and sliced hard cheese.  It is a good source of protein and calcium. Also avoids those nasty preservatives and additives!

The Bad:  NONE! (If using good quality milk to make excellent homemade kefir & this Farmer’s Cheese!)

Recommendations:  Add fresh herbs, jams, or even fresh fruit as topings

I hope this little article has encouraged you to enjoy cheese more freely now!