I took a short and sweet trip up to Point Reyes Station this week, with one of my favorite fellow foodies and travel companions, to attend the Cowgirl Creamery lesson and tasting. Twenty-four hours that reminded me once again what an outrageous joy and privilege it is to live here in coastal California.
We spent the night one of the cabins at steep ravine where it is nearly impossible to book a place unless you’re willing to plan your camping trip six or seven months in advance. It quickly became obvious why this precious spot is always in such ridiculous demand. Our cabin was literally at the doorstep of the Pacific.
After a satisfying dinner of homemade lamb & gouda sandwiches and sea salt studded dark chocolate, we tucked into our sleeping bags and through the night we heard nothing short of a raucous symphony of waves.
We woke up with the first light to the breathtaking view of a misty morning coastline just outside our window. After a somewhat sleepy session of yoga stretching near the shoreline, we swung through stinson beach for some deeply desired coffee and morning buns for the road: the sort of breakfast that makes your whole day sweet.
Continuing northbound along the Bolinas lagoon along the 1 highway to Point Reyes Station, we reached our ultimate destination: Cowgirl Creamery.
We had booked two highly coveted seats at the table of Cowgirl’s hour-long cheese making tutorial and tasting. Not only did we learn about the difference between small curd and big curd cheese making(complete with demonstration), but also about the local history of dairy farms in Marin, AND the history of cheese at large.
The legend goes…cheese was invented by accident in the Middle Eastern region long long ago (not sure when exactly, missed that detail). Back then, it was standard to carry water from point A to point B in an animal’s stomach, which could be easily sealed off and the opened to pour out water when needed.
One day some Middle Eastern genius - who I’m going to guess had to have been one of my family’s early ancestors - decided to try and carry milk that way instead of water. After walking around in the heat of the day, jostling the warm milk around in the stomach casing, the genius tried to pour out the milk and instead got some clumps of goey white and green stuff. Genius had invented cheese!
Turns out there is an enzyme in the lining of the stomach that brings all the protein solids together, and now we use the same enzyme which is also found in plants as it turns out. So, there you go! Now we have a bazillion varieties of the stuff, of which we tried nine of Cowgirl Creamery’s artisinal concoctions, from cottage cheese to panir to mt. tam and wagoonwheel (see below).
A lot of tasting…
A lot of learning…
Thank you genius ancestor. Thank you.
