Formaggio Val'Campella Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 Gallons of Milk (Not Ultra Pasteurized)
- 6 oz Prepared Bulgarian Yogurt (for raw milk)
- 1/4 tsp MA 4002 Culture (for pasteurized milk)
- 3/4 tsp (4 ml) Liquid Single Strength Animal Rennet (2-3 ml for raw milk)
- Salt
- 1/2 tsp Calcium Chloride (for pasteurized milk)
Equipment
- Good Thermometer
- Measuring Spoons
- Curd Knife
- Skimmer
- Butter Muslin
- Large Colander
- Large Tomme Mold or Medium Deluxe Hard Cheese (M28)
- Cheese Press or Weights
- Large Cheese Mat
- Instructions
- Formaggio Val-Campella Info
- Reviews
- Q & A
Although this guideline has many steps, it is fairly quick to make. Before making your cheese it’s a good idea to read through the recipe to become familiar the process.
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Heat & Acidify Milk
Begin by heating the milk to 98F. Do this by placing the milk pot in a larger pot or sink of very warm water (a water bath). If heating milk in a pot on the stove be sure to heat the milk slowly and stir it well as it heats.
If using pasteurized milk add calcium chloride as the milk is heating.
Add and mix in 25g (0.88oz) of salt as the milk is heating. This salt will help slow bacteria and control a sweet flavor.
Note: It is always best to add salt by weight and not by volume because of different grain size.
Once the milk is heated to 98F add the proper culture for the type of milk you’re using (listed in the ingredients above).
To prevent the powdered culture from caking and sinking in clumps sprinkle the powder over the surface of the milk and then allow about 2 minutes for the powder to re-hydrate before stirring it in.
After mixing in the culture let the milk sit quiet at the target temperature for about 45 minutes (30 minutes for raw milk).
Note: At this time begin heating a gallon of water to 140F that will be used in the warm water wash step number 4.
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Coagulate with Rennet
Add rennet and slowly sir in with an up and down motion for 1 minute
Let the milk sit quiet for an additional 25-30 minutes while the rennet coagulates the curd.
The milk will begin to thicken at about 10-12 minutes, but allow it to coagulate to firmness.
Tip: It is always best to check for a firm coagulation and if needed let sit for as much as 50% longer. The next time you make the cheese, adjust the rennet amount if needed (more rennet for a quicker set).
Note: The thermal mass of the milk should keep it warm during this period. It is ok if the temp drops a few degrees during this time.
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Cut Curd
Once the milk has set well, it is time to cut the curd. Begin by precutting the curd mass into 1.5 inch vertical strips in both directions, then let the curds rest 2-3 minutes.
Next cut the strips into 3/8-1/2 inch cubes, then let the curds rest for another 2-3 minutes.
After the final rest slowly stir the curds for 10-15 minutes, just enough to keep the curds moving and not too quickly as to break the curds into smaller pieces.
The rest and stirs are important to prepare for the cooking phase that comes next. Without it, the curds would break further and loose too much moisture.
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Wash & Stir Curds
Let the curds settle to the bottom of the pot, then remove 2 quarts of whey. This will slow the culture activity for a sweeter cheese (by removing the bacterias food supply, residual lactose in the whey).
Over the next 20 minutes slowly stir the curds and add warm water, heated to 140F, to the pot to replace the amount of whey that was removed. This should increase the curd temperature to 106F.
As the curds are stirred moisture will continue to be released from the curds.
Once the temperature is 106F, stir slowly an additional 20-30 minutes.
The final curds should be cooked well through and be examined to make sure enough moisture was released. The curds should have a moderate resistance when pressed between the fingers and a broken curd should be firm throughout.
When this point is reached the curds can be allowed to settle under the whey.
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Drain Curds
Once settled the curds can be transferred into a colander or perforated draining pan (as shown) lined with butter muslin. The cloth should be folded over the top surface as well.
Let the curds drain for a few minute, or until the dripping slows. For this cheese the curd mass should be pressed with a moderate to light hand pressing during the initial draining to encourage consolidation (similar to Cheddar).
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Break Curd Mass & Salt
Once the curd mass has consolidated, open the cloth and begin breaking the curd into smaller 2-3 inch pieces.
Once the curd is well broken, evenly distribute 25g (0.88 oz) of salt to the curds. Split this into 2-3 cycles of salting with good distribution allowing each dose to form a brine and sink into the surfaces before adding the next (3-5 minutes between each salting).
Note: Before being broken up, the curd mass should have a consolidated texture along with many small mechanical fissures and openings. These will provide an open texture for small gas holes to develop during the ripening time.
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Form & Press Curds
Transfer the salted curds into a cheese mold, pack them in with a very firm hand pressing as each addition of curds is added. Even with packing this will look very loose and bulky.
Next place the follower on top and begin to press the curds following the pressing schedule below.
Initially there may be a small stream or slow drips while pressing. As the cheese is pressed its temperature will continue dropping, towards the end of pressing it should still be around 75-80F.
Between each pressing duration remove the cheese from the mold, unwrap, flip and re-wrap before placing it back into the mold and continuing onto the next pressing duration.
- 10lb for 1 hour
- 10lb for 1 hour
- 15lb for 1 hour
- 15lb for 1 hour
While pressing the curds should still be quite moist and elastic and will eventually form a very well consolidated surface with few cracks and fissures. If the surface is not tight press for longer and/or add a bit more weight.
The final cheese should feel very soft and springy. When done move the cheese to a cool space overnight 65-70F and allow it to remain in the cheese mold until next morning with no weight.
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Cool Rest
At this point the cheese should show a very well consolidated surface with no holes cracks or fissures, although it may appear somewhat lumpy
The following morning the cheese will have cooled somewhat, however the final fermentation of natural yeast and bacteria inside the cheese will continue to work.
The cheese can now be removed from the mold and allowed to rest on a wood board or cloth to absorb any residual moisture, while resting cover the cheese with a loose cloth. At this point there is still enough residual lactose inside to feed the slow work of cultures inside.
Keep the cheese at 65-70F for the next several days (3-5) as the process continues. Turn the cheese at least twice each day, replace the cloth or board if wet.
It will be very slow but you should note the sides and top beginning to bulge slightly as the gas is produced (along with a more buttery flavor).
This small amount of gas production as well as flavor is typically held inside the cheese due to the elastic structure created. These are not like the holes in a Swiss style cheese but smaller and irregular holes. They are formed by bacteria and yeast producing small amounts of CO2 that are trapped within during this warmer ripening, after pressing.
When there is a slight gas expansion causing the surface or side bulging the cheese is ready for the final salting. A sharp slap on the surface of the cheese should resonate with a hollow sound rather than the dull ‘thud’ of a firmer and more closed cheese.
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Dry Salting
This is the third and final addition of salt. This addition will help dry down the cheese and toughen the rind for aging.
Use about 7-8g of salt for each surface. To do this salt one surface and side, and let it form its own brine by pulling moisture from the cheese. Let this be absorbed, rubbing the surface to distribute evenly, then wait to soak in. Then turn the cheese and repeat with the same process. Once the surface seems dry the cheese is ready for aging.
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Aging
Finally the cheese is ready for a short maturation of 2-3 months in a cave at 52F with 85-90% Humidity.
This cheese should be turned at least daily at first and less frequently as it ages and the rind dries. Any mold appearing on the surface should be brushed clear or wiped with a brine damp cloth.
If the cheese is made a bit drier its aging can continue to 6-9 months for stronger flavors.
Once cut note the beautiful open structure internally and enjoy this beautiful cheese.
What is Formaggio Val’Campella
This is a fabulous cheese according to our panel of experts AKA local ‘Foodies’.
The northern mountains of Italy are home to an incredibly diverse range of cheese. In most regions a specific cheese is made by several producers as in Asiago, Montasio, Bitto, etc..
However Formaggio Val’Campella cheese is an exception. It has been made by a single family of producer and they have been making the same cheese themselves for eight generations, going back to the 1700s. Originally their site was a rest and stop-over called a Refugio for Herders moving their cattle from the valley to the high pastures. Here they would make their cheese and butter from the summer milk as well as serve meat produced with pigs they raised on the whey.
Today the Refugio is a destination stop for modern travelers, mostly day travelers and hikers.
Traditionally their cheese was made for mountain travelers at the Refugio. This unique cheese is quite different from Asiago, made further south, and not at all like their neighbors making Nostrano cheese, in the northern valleys of the Dolomites.
This cheese is typically quite young and only aged for a month or two at most. The curd itself remains quite sweet with very high moisture that weeps at room temperature.
But, the most unique character of this cheese is the large distribution of small to medium sized holes that are encouraged by a three or more day post-pressing fermentation at room temperature, before the final salting. With raw milk this time can enhance the work of yeast and other bacteria.
The final cheese has a more fruity (ripe apple/pear) flavor and a very supple elastic texture. It is primarily consumed as a table cheese
How to Make Formaggio Val’Campella
So much is different to make this cheese unique:
- Milk Quality | Typically made from raw milk to add complexity but can also be made from a full fat pasteurized milk for the home cheesemaker.
- Salt added to Milk | As the milk is heated a dose of salt is added to the milk to slow the acid development (keeps the final cheese sweeter)
- Short Pre-ripening time | The rennet is added after only a short ripening period to preserve the calcium and a springier and more elastic final cheese.
- Curd is warm washed | The curd is cut and stirred for a short period then a portion of whey removed and the same portion of hotter water added to heat the curds, effectively drying the curds and at the same time slowing acid development (not so much that it inhibits the mesophilic bacteria).
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Final Cud mass is broken again | The curd is then drained in cloth with a good amount of hand pressing to consolidate the curds before opening and breaking into larger 2-3” pieces and then salting, effectively cooling the curds down to a working temperature for the Mesophilic bacteria and slowing the acid development.
All of the above steps lead to the characteristic moisture and texture of the final cheese plus the following. - Light Pressing | The large curd pieces are then placed in forms and pressed, first with good hand pressure for packing and then with moderate weight to consolidate.
- Long Hold Post Press | Once consolidated well at the surface the curd goes to a resting space at about 60-64F for the next several days while the fermentation continues. This allows a more complex activity internally where more acid is slowly produced and the cheese develops some small to medium holes and a more buttery flavor.
All of this is done before the final surface salt is applied and the cheese moves to the final ripening space.
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Youzers
This cheese is springy, like baby Swiss. I aged mine 5 1/2 months. Has a nice hit in flavor. Quite proud of this cheese. Thank you Jim.

Fantastic Cheese
I am still new to cheesemaking but this has turned out to be one of my best yet. The process was fairly easy and had a short aging time so I could try it fairly soon after I made it. The cheese came out as a semi-hard cheese, firm but easy to cut. It has a wonderful mild taste. It reminds me of a type of cheese that I've had before can't quite place the taste, maybe something from the swiss family. A great table cheese with to eat on it's own. I might try some on sandwiches. The only problem I had with it was keeping the mold off of it during aging but this was one of my first attempts at aging with a natural rind. I can't recommend this cheese enough.

Wonderful mild cheese
I haven’t been making cheese that long but this is one of my best cheeses so far. Instructions were easy. This cheese came out as a semi hard cheese. Cut well and holds together well. The taste was mild and great tasting. I have had a cheese like this before but can’t quite place it. Subtle taste of something in the Swiss family maybe? Great on its own but I’m going to try it on sandwich’s next. Very enjoyable cheese.

Straight forward directions
Mine is drying right now! Instructions were easy to follow, and the cheese looks amazing! It's springy, and developing a nice rind after 1 day of drying. Looking forward to the final results! Thank you Jim for these instructions. I have a swiss developing on the shelf right above it...so i'm looking forward to seeing some big swelling over the next couple weeks!