Raw Milk Cheesemakers' Association

In a blog I have been following, I read a post about an association called the Raw Milk Cheesemaker's Association, RMCA. It is an association dedicated to raw milk cheese. Raw milk cheese, according to the RMCA website, is "cheese produced from milk that, prior to setting the curd, has not been heated above the temperature of the milk at the time of milking." So it is basically cheese made of unpasteurized milk. The association promotes raw milk cheese and provides education on how to produce high quality, safe raw milk cheese. Anyone who make raw milk cheese can apply for membership.

Raw milk cheese is thought of as unsafe and disgusting for the obvious reason that it is made with unpasteurized milk. Actually, 10 years age, the FDA tried to ban all raw milk cheese. That did not happen. The law is that in order for raw milk cheese to sold, it must have aged for at least 60 days. The aging makes it safe to eat. I think that people may also not want to try raw milk cheese for the fear that it is disgusting. Do NOT be afraid, it's actually VERY GOOD!

My family has been making raw milk cheese forever. Most of that family lives in the Azores islands of Portugal. Whenever I travel to visit that family they always provide me with tons of the delicious cheese. I like to eat it on as a spread on some type of warm bread. Often I sprinkle some salt or crushed red pepper on the cheese.

Here in the U.S. I have an aunt who makes the cheese in the same process, but without the raw milk. It is still very delicious but does not taste the same. Because she uses pasteurized milk, the cheese does not have to age for 60 days. Raw milk cheese on warm bread is my family's favorite Sunday morning breakfast. If any of you ever get the chance to try it, I recommend that you do. You have no idea what you're missing!

Read more about the RMCA at http://www.rawmilkcheese.org/index.htm