I have finally gotten around to uploading a photo of my Colby which is presently air drying.

I hope that this is how to post the image.  As you can see, even with 8 drop of color it is still very pale.  I am doing a cheddar right now and will double the color drops to see if I can get it to the proper color.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Looks great. The drops will be dif concentrate per company, keep adding till your happy.

I made a 2 lb colby, used 12 drops of annatto…..color seems about right.

@ TS,

Did you add the drops prior to adding the starter?  I have added mine after starter, wonder if that makes a difference.  I recall reading something about it recently, but don’t remember where.

I added 20 drops to my Cheddar, and it is only a pale yellow.  I got my drops from Ricki’s Home Cheesemaking Supply so guessed that they would be quality.

so sorry - just saw this just now…

I add color in the middle of the initial ripening before I added any rennet…or anything else…

Matt

Hey Matt,

Wondering if you ever got your coloring squared away to your satisfaction.  The colby I did according to recipe was disappointingly pale.  I doubled it for my next cheese and it was not much improved.  I’m wondering if there is a point beyond which I will damage my cheese, because it looks like its going to take a quart to get a nice orange color.

i can not see any pic

Green Cheese Maker - 16 June 2008 04:16 AM

Hey Matt,

Wondering if you ever got your coloring squared away to your satisfaction.  The colby I did according to recipe was disappointingly pale.  I doubled it for my next cheese and it was not much improved.  I’m wondering if there is a point beyond which I will damage my cheese, because it looks like its going to take a quart to get a nice orange color.

I don’t know what you are using but I am using the annatto drops from the Leener kit.
8 drops make a 2 lb cheese “just” yellow..like Swiss or Gouda color. Need about 15-18 drops to get a Colby/Yellow Ched color.