Ep 20: The House of Mango Cheese

Isabella Chen is one of a growing number of artisan cheesemakers around the Pacific Rim whose mastery of European-style cheeses and fluency in their own native cuisines are combining to take cheesemaking in interesting new directions. In this fascinating episode, we hear about the challenges–and tantalizing opportunities–of merging different culinary techniques and traditions.

(Re)sources

Episode 19: The Chinese Curdverse

Episode 18: Ohhh, Biiiiig Stretch!

Print interviews with Isabella (featuring lots more exciting flavor combos than we were able to cover): Guide Michelin, Taipei Times and Vino Joy News

Lab Man Mano website (in Chinese)

Image source: Vino Joy News

Ep 18: Ohhh, Biiiiig Stretch!

Praise for stretching: not just something you offer your dog. Long, glossy ribbons of fresh, warm cheese curd get transformed into balls, braids, wheels and spindles all around the world. Great for snacks, melting on pizza or tortillas, grilling and frying, or stuffing in pastry–stretched curd cheeses are a favorite everywhere they’re made!

(Re)sources

The science of melting and stretching and a deeper look at meltability

Caciocavallo: How it’s made

Indian (rennetless) stretched cheese: how it’s made

Image: Making Queso Oaxaca, Sour Milk School, April 2023