Cheese maker (Kaasmaker)
Information on this skill...
A cheese maker is a specialist who makes different types of cheese within a cheese dairy or dairy farm. An independently working cheese maker is in many cases the owner of a cheese dairy or dairy farm, in which the homemade cheese is sold to customers. Nowadays, there are quite a lot of dairy farms, in which cheese makers make cheese independently, with the intention of selling this cheese within their own farm shop. A cheese maker is in many cases a dairy farmer, who will partly not sell the milk because he or she uses the milk to make cheese. In addition to cheese, other products can be sold, such as milk. There are quite a lot of people nowadays, who prefer to buy their cheese at a farm shop than in a supermarket. Another name for cheese, which is made on a farm, is also called farmhouse cheese. Farmhouse cheese is made from raw milk that has not yet undergone processing. Another name for a dairy farm is cheese farm. Within a cheese farm, cheese is made in a traditional way from cow's milk or goat's milk. The profession of cheese maker can be regarded as craftsmanship, which requires a lot of knowledge and experience. Making a good and especially tasty cheese is not easy. It is the cheese maker, who has all the necessary expertise, skills and machines to make good cheese. Obviously, a cheese maker does not have to work professionally because there are also quite a lot of people who try to make their own cheese at home. Making cheese yourself is therefore a fun hobby for quite a lot of people. As described earlier, a cheese maker can make different cheeses. A cheese maker does this, among other things, by adding various herbs and spices.
A cheese maker is therefore a dairy farmer or other farmer who makes various cheeses within his own dairy farm with the aim of selling the cheese. Cheese is made from milk to which the cheese maker adds rennet and sourdough. The rennet in the milk causes the substances in the milk, such as the milk fat and the milk proteins, to clump together. By clumping together, the milk will become thicker. The acidity gives the cheese a better taste and ensures that the cheese has a longer shelf life. It is important to gently cut the increasingly thickening milk into pieces so that it eventually becomes even thicker. If the milk has become very thick, this is called the curd. The curd will still float in the moisture, which is called the whey. When the whey is drained, only the curd remains. The remaining curd will now be firmly pressed into a cheese mold so that it is created as the well-known cheese mold. After pressing, the cheese must be dipped in a brine bath so that the salt can soak into the cheese. The salt will give the cheese extra flavor and ensures that the cheese has a longer shelf life. When the cheese comes out of the brine bath, the cheese gets its well-known plastic layer and the cheese can ripen. It is important to turn the cheese over regularly, to maintain the shape of the cheese and to prevent mold. Artisanal cheese makers must be regarded as craftsmen or craftswomen.
BUY LOCAL PRODUCTS
On a dairy farm, there are often many more local products for sale, all of which are made in a traditional way by specialists. Most dairy farms can offer a wide range, such as buttermilk, semi-skimmed milk, whole milk, yogurt, biogarde and ice cream, all of which are freshly prepared. The popularity of local products is now great and does not only relate to dairy products. Also think of bakers, who use grain and flour, coming from local millers. Vegetable growers and fruit growers also make important contributions when it comes to local organic regional products.
WHAT DOES A CHEESE MAKER DO:
TRAINING TO BECOME A CHEESE MAKER
There are no specific-recognized training opportunities to become a cheese maker. There are several courses to cheese maker offered, which can vary from a few days to a few months. It is possible that a cheese maker has no specific training at all to become a cheese maker because learning to make cheese is in many cases a matter of trying. In many cases, learning to make cheese will therefore be taught by experienced cheese makers, who in that case can be seen as a teacher. A possible suitable MBO training to become a cheese maker can be the Mbo training all-round food operator. The MBO training all-round nutrition operator is not specifically aimed at learning how to make cheese because the training must be seen much more broadly. In addition, there are also plenty of external training institutes where you can follow a course. Accounting is also important as an entrepreneur.
COMPANIES WHERE A CHEESE MAKER CAN BE EMPLOYED
In most cases, a cheese maker will work as an entrepreneur and will not be employed. In addition, a cheese maker can work within the industry, but in that case, we speak more of a machine operator or food technologist. The classic cheese maker usually works within his own dairy farm or cheese farm. Obviously, a cheese maker does not have to work professionally. There are also many private individuals, who like to make their own cheese. This is also the case, for example, when making wine and beer.
COMPETENCES CHEESE MAKER
The most important competence as a cheese maker is the general knowledge of dairy products, including all knowledge of the different preparation methods. In addition, it is important that a cheese maker works hygienically. Working with dairy products requires food safety because consumers must be able to assume that all microbiological requirements have been met. Another important competence as a cheese maker is perseverance because making cheese is physically quite heavy work. If you work as an independent cheese maker, it is also important that you have a commercial attitude. Generally important words are independence, control, vigilance, sense of responsibility, passion and energy.
LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A CHEESE MAKER
The labour market perspective of a cheese maker cannot simply be indicated because the profession of cheese maker is a very specific profession. In addition, as a cheese maker, you do not have to work professionally because quite a lot of people practice cheese making as a hobby. In most cases, professional cheese makers will work on a dairy farm or within a cheese dairy. Obtaining work as a cheese maker will in many cases be highly dependent on your own network. The career opportunities as a cheese maker can be seen in starting your own cheese dairy.
WORKING CONDITIONS AND SALARY CHEESE MAKER
As a cheese maker, the income is highly dependent on the precise activities. Do you only make cheese or do you only sell cheese, or do you do both? Most cheese makers and cheese sellers are self-employed. Depending on his experience, age and years of service, a cheese maker will earn between 1700 and 2400 euros gross per month. As an independent entrepreneur, there is usually more to earn as a cheese maker.
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