The Purple Guide to Learning Cheesemaking in 10 Days
A plain-English, day-by-day plan to make your first real cheese at home - and decide if it's worth keeping going.
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
A no-nonsense 10-day plan to make your first cheese at home, without the fluff or the expensive starter kit.
About this book
You've thought about making your own cheese, but every online tutorial throws you into a world of calcium chloride, mesophilic cultures, and pH meters within the first five minutes. It feels like you need a lab, not a kitchen. This guide is the antidote to that overwhelm. It's a straight-talking, friend-led walk through ten days of doing, not just reading. Each day is built around a single, concrete task - from the very first time you heat a pot of milk to the moment you taste cheese you made with your own hands. No vague inspiration, no promises of overnight mastery. Just a clear path forward, one small step at a time.
Reader Reviews
Kathleen Jackson
★★★★★I'm a decent cook but totally new to cheese. The first day chapter is spot on - it told me exactly what to expect and made me feel okay that my first batch of ricotta was a bit lumpy. It's a very honest guide. It didn't turn me into a master, but it gave me a real starting point and a sense of what this hobby involves. I put it down and ordered a thermometer.
Jennifer Wilson
★★★★★I bought this because I was tired of watching videos that skipped steps. The day-by-day structure is great. It reads like a friend is explaining it to you, not a teacher you've got to impress. I appreciate that it doesn't try to convince you this will be your new lifelong passion after a week and a half. It's a solid plan and I feel like I actually learned something.
Rebecca Carter
★★★★★This guide finally got me to stop thinking and start doing. The first day is a perfect little nudge - you just need a pot, some milk, and 30 minutes. I made a small bowl of ricotta and felt a genuine sense of achievement. The book's plan is realistic, and it doesn't make you feel bad if you're not a natural. The troubleshooting chapters have saved me twice already.
Laura Allen
★★★★★I've wanted to try cheesemaking for ages but was scared off by the science. This book strips that back and gives you a step-by-step way in. The first day was simple, and I loved that it didn't assume I owned any special equipment. It's a practical, no-nonsense plan. It drops a star only because it's a starter plan, but for what it is, it works.
Mary Rodriguez
★★★★★As someone who is clumsy and easily discouraged in the kitchen, this was perfect. The pacing is forgiving, and the first day's task was small enough that I couldn't mess it up too badly. I really appreciate the honest focus on what you can do in ten days versus what you can't. It kept me curious and moving forward, and I'm already looking into my next batch.
Michael Scott
★★★★★A great, no-frills starting point for anyone thinking about cheesemaking. The writer talks to you like a helpful friend, not a salesperson. The day one chapter is a real, achievable task that teaches you the core movement of the craft. I appreciated the budgeting advice on day two and the comparison table on day three - it saved me from buying a bunch of stuff I don't need.