54: Making cheese

[Wilderness Survival Announcement]

[Huaguo Contestant Lu Fan has triggered the ten thousand times rebate]

[Healthy Ewes * 10,000]

As the ewe gradually regained her strength in the Shelter, Lu Fan decided to build a comfortable, exclusive little home for this new member.

"Little sheep, from now on, you're my professional milk production master. Baa Baa is your name, and 9527 is your serial number. Work hard; promotions and raises aren't just a dream..."

Lu Fan muttered to the ewe while picking up his tools, preparing to get down to business.

In the livestream room.

"I told you, this sheep would become a new member of the Shelter."

"Doesn't that mean he can drink goat milk from now on?"

"At the start, this ewe didn't have any lambs. Where would the milk come from? Does he need to catch a ram too?"

Lu Fan walked back into the familiar bamboo forest to select bamboo with a tough texture.

"I have to pick some good materials this time to build a five-star shed for Baa Baa."

Lu Fan talked to himself, his long knife whistling through the air as he swung it. Before long, he had cut down enough bamboo.

Da Hei and Big Horn followed him. Da Hei leaped around the bamboo forest, occasionally bumping into the bamboo, causing the leaves to rustle and fall.

"Da Hei, stop causing trouble! If you keep acting up, there'll be no goat milk for you tonight."

Da Hei seemed to understand, as he squatted obediently to the side, watching Lu Fan while wagging his tail.

Returning to the Shelter, Lu Fan began building the shed.

He skillfully split the bamboo into appropriate lengths and widths, binding them firmly together with vines.

Big Horn leaned in curiously, nudging the half-finished shed with its head. Lu Fan laughed and patted it: "Big Horn, don't be in a hurry. Once it's built, you can come over to enjoy the shade too."

After some effort, a spacious and sturdy sheep shed was finally completed.

The shed was well-ventilated, and he had even left a small window so the ewe could see the outside world at any time.

"Baa Baa, come and see your new home."

Lu Fan led the ewe into the shed. The ewe excitedly circled inside, occasionally rubbing her head against Lu Fan's leg while making cheerful "Baa Baa" sounds.

Watching the ewe settle comfortably into her new home, Lu Fan figured it was time to try milking her.

He found a clean bamboo tube and squatted carefully beside the ewe.

At first, the ewe wasn't used to it and shifted her body uneasily.

"Baa Baa, don't be afraid, just a gentle squeeze." Lu Fan soothed her softly while gently grasping the ewe's teat, attempting to squeeze out the first drop of milk.

It didn't go smoothly at first; the ewe was so tense that her muscles were tight, and no milk came out at all.

Da Hei watched anxiously from the side, pacing around the sheep shed and making "whining" sounds, as if cheering Lu Fan on.

"Da Hei, be quiet, you're scaring Baa Baa," Lu Fan said helplessly.

After several attempts, finally, a drop of pure white milk dripped into the bamboo tube.

"Success!" Lu Fan shouted excitedly.

Hearing the shout, Da Hei jumped up in excitement, nearly knocking over the bamboo tube.

Under Lu Fan's patient soothing and gentle handling, the milk gradually increased, and soon he had collected nearly half a tube.

In the livestream room.

"He actually milked the sheep? This sheep doesn't have a lamb, though. Could it have gotten lost?"

"Maybe it's different for humans and sheep."

"Regardless, Great God Lu Fan has goat milk to drink now."

Wang Tao looked at Zhao Hangjun: "Teacher Zhao, can you explain this phenomenon for us?"

Zhao Hangjun smiled and nodded: "Of course, that's my job.

Under normal circumstances, a ewe produces milk because, after giving birth, she is stimulated by hormones like prolactin, and the mammary glands begin secreting milk to nurse the lamb.

However, if a ewe is stimulated by external factors during her lactation period—such as proper massage, milking, and other physical stimuli—her body will mistakenly believe the lamb still needs milk, and the mammary glands will continue to work and produce milk.

Additionally, some special nutritional supplements or changes in environmental factors might also affect the ewe's endocrine system, prompting her to produce milk.

Though, the milk yield in this non-natural nursing state might be slightly less than during a normal nursing period."

Wang Tao couldn't help but applaud: "Teacher Zhao is truly knowledgeable."

"Haha, it's just that I'm old and don't know how to play with cell phones, so I read more books."

Yu Rui was nowhere to be seen in the livestream room now; because she often stayed up late, she had been moved to the late-night shift.

Looking at the fresh goat milk, Lu Fan decided to challenge himself by making goat cheese.

He remembered seeing the production method on 'A Bite of China' before.

Although he lacked precise tools and materials, he decided to try based on his memory and creativity.

He first poured the goat milk into the iron pot and placed it by the campfire to heat slowly.

"The temperature can't be too high, or the milk will spoil." Lu Fan muttered to himself while keeping an eye on the milk.

Da Hei lay nearby, eyes fixed on the container, nose twitching as he sniffed, occasionally licking his lips.

"Da Hei, don't be in a rush. When it's done, there'll definitely be a portion for you."

After heating it to the proper temperature, Lu Fan found a Bitter Dock from the plants he had collected earlier.

This was a wild herb with curdling properties.

"I hope this stuff works." He crushed the wild herb and squeezed the juice into the goat milk.

Something magical happened; the goat milk began to slowly coagulate, forming soft curds.

Next, Lu Fan used a clean bamboo mat to wrap the curds and squeezed hard to press out the excess whey.

The curd gradually took shape in his hands. He placed the formed cheese into a specially made bamboo mold and pressed a stone on top to make the cheese firmer.

While waiting for the cheese to set, Da Hei would occasionally lean in to sniff the mold, his face full of anticipation.

"Don't rush, we still have to wait a while." Lu Fan smiled and stroked Da Hei's head.

Big Horn also walked over, looking curiously at the mold in Lu Fan's hands.

After a long wait, the goat cheese was finally finished.

Lu Fan took the cheese out of the mold and cut it into small pieces.

Then he used honey, coconut, blueberry jam, and apple jam to spread on the cheese, creating four different flavors.

He first picked up a piece and handed it to Da Hei. Da Hei couldn't wait and swallowed it in one gulp, then wagged his tail incessantly, wanting more.

"Here you go, here you go." Lu Fan laughed and gave Da Hei a few more pieces.

He also fed a piece to Big Horn. Big Horn chewed it and seemed satisfied with the taste, letting out a soft "moo."

Finally, Lu Fan took a bite himself. The goat cheese gave off a unique milky aroma and had a delicate texture. Combined with the various sweet flavors, it made one feel joyful.

Although it couldn't compare to modern industrial production, in this wilderness, it was undoubtedly a rare delicacy.

"Now our meals are even more diverse!" Lu Fan said happily.

The ewe bleated from the side, seemingly proud of her contribution to the delicious meal.