How to make feta at home: yield, doses & aging
Feta runs about a 14–16% yield of milk weight and is aged at 4–7°C (39.2–44.6°F). Here are the make doses for a 2-gallon batch and the aging targets — every number cited to the source, not guessed.
How much feta does a batch make?
Feta yields 14–16% of the milk weight (midpoint 15%). Whole cow milk weighs about 1 kg per litre, so a 2-gallon (7.6 L) batch gives roughly 1094–1250 g of feta (about 1172 g at the midpoint). Richer milk — raw, Jersey, or cream-topped — lands at the high end.
Rennet, culture & calcium chloride for feta
For the 2-gallon batch above:
| Ingredient | Dose for a 2-gallon batch |
|---|---|
| Rennet (single-strength liquid) | 0.5 tsp (2.5 mL) |
| Calcium chloride (30% solution) | 0.5 tsp (2.5 mL) for pasteurized/store milk (skip for raw milk) |
| Bulk / direct-set culture | about 0.5 tsp (2.5 mL), or scale a measured DVI packet to the batch |
Double-strength liquid rennet uses half the volume. Too much calcium chloride (above ~½ tsp/gal) turns the curd bitter and rubbery — stay at the dose above.
Aging feta
Age feta at 4–7°C (39.2–44.6°F). It’s ready in about 5 days at the earliest — longer deepens the flavour.
FAQ
How much feta does a gallon of milk make?
Feta yields 14–16% of milk weight, so a gallon of whole milk (~3.9 kg) makes roughly 547–625 g. Richer milk yields more.
How much rennet and calcium chloride for feta?
For a 2-gallon batch: 0.5 tsp (2.5 mL) single-strength liquid rennet and 0.5 tsp (2.5 mL) of 30% calcium chloride (only for pasteurized milk).
What temperature do you age feta at?
4–7°C (39.2–44.6°F), ready in about 5 days at the earliest.
What you need to make Feta
Consistent cheese comes from measured doses and a steady aging temperature — eyeballing rennet or the cave is how batches turn rubbery or slip their moisture.
- Set the curd with single-strength liquid rennet — the 0.5 tsp (2.5 mL) dose above is measured, not eyeballed.
- Store or pasteurized milk needs calcium chloride to firm the curd — 0.5 tsp (2.5 mL) for this batch.
- A direct-set cheese culture sets the acidity — match the culture type to feta.
- Hold the cave band with a thermometer/hygrometer so feta ages at its target temperature and humidity.
- Drain and shape in cheese molds and a press.
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Sources
Yield bands and aging targets are the cited published values for Feta; every milk, make and cave varies, so treat the doses as a tested starting point and adjust to your own results. Yield depends heavily on milk fat and casein — raw or Jersey milk yields more than store milk.