Vegetable rennet is a fundamental ingredient for making homemade cheese and can be obtained naturally using the flowers of the wild thistle. In this guide, I will explain step by step how to collect and transform wild thistle into an effective vegetable rennet.
Why Use Wild Thistle?
The wild thistle flower is a natural alternative to animal rennet. It is perfect for those seeking a vegetable option and lends itself to being used in traditional and creative recipes, such as artisanal cheeses.
How to Collect Wild Thistle Flowers
- Identifying wild thistle: Look for the plant in fields or uncultivated areas. The ideal time to collect the flowers is during flowering, in general during the spring.
- Safe harvesting: Cut the flowers with a piece of stem about 4 inches (10 cm) long. Be careful, the thistle stings! Use protective gloves and scissors to avoid injury.
- Drying the flowers: Tie the flowers upside down in a paper bag and hang it in a shady and well-ventilated place. After 7-10 days, the flowers will be dry and ready for use.
Preparing the Vegetable Rennet
- Ingredients:
- 20 g of dried wild thistle flowers (about 6-7 flowers)
- 250 ml of water
- Instructions:
- Carefully remove the top part of the flower, removing the stem.
- Put the dried flowers in a jar with 250 ml of water.
- Shake the jar and let the mixture rest for 24-48 hours.
- Filter the liquid and store the vegetable rennet obtained in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Storage Tips
To prolong the shelf life of the vegetable rennet:
- Add salt: A pinch of salt helps preserve it longer.
- Freezing: Portion the rennet into 50 ml doses, ideal for 5 liters of milk. Freeze and thaw as needed.
Using the Vegetable Rennet
The vegetable rennet is ready to be used in the preparation of homemade cheeses. In the next video, I will show how to use it to make a delicious homemade cheese. Will it work? Find out in our next tutorial!
Conclusion
Preparing vegetable rennet with wild thistle flowers is a natural and simple way to create artisanal cheeses. If this guide has been helpful, subscribe to the channel, leave a comment, and discover other creative recipes on my YouTube channel!