How to Make Cream Cheese at Home (and the Surprising Reason Behind the Current Shortage)
If you’re missing that schmear of cream cheese on your morning bagel right now, you’re not alone. Ongoing supply chain issues that began in late 2021 are making it hard to find cream cheese at grocery stores across the U.S., and chances are your local bagel bakery is spreading the tangy topping a little thin these days.
What’s the reason for the shortage? Aside from the logistics bottlenecks and labor shortages that have become the norm in recent months, the factors contributing to this latest supply issue might surprise you. Read on to learn more (and find out how easy it is to make your own cream cheese at home).
See more: After a Rocky Start to the Pandemic, Wisconsin Cheesemakers Survive and Thrive
What’s Causing the Shortage?
Even before the shortage, cream cheese manufacturers were struggling to meet increasing demand. In 2020, demand for the popular dairy spread jumped nearly 20% as more people began baking at home during pandemic-related shutdowns. Demand stayed high throughout 2021, compounded later in the year by the busy holiday baking season and more Americans craving comfort foods with news of the latest COVID-19 variant sparking another round of restrictions and alarm.
On top of this increased demand – and the ongoing labor shortages and supply-chain disruptions affecting manufacturers across the U.S. in 2021 – Wisconsin-based Schreiber Foods, one of the country’s top manufacturers of cream cheese, was hit by a cyberattack. In October, hackers targeted systems controlling the Schreiber Foods’ plants and distribution centers, making it impossible for the company to operate at full capacity for days, Bloomberg reported.
Unfortunately, cyberattacks like these are becoming more and more common in the food and agriculture industry. According to Farm Journal, the ag industry has become an easy target due to its very limited investment in cybersecurity. As many farms and food-related businesses become increasingly digital and rely more than ever on automation, cyberattackers are finding more opportunities to take advantage of vulnerability within the industry.
How to Make Cream Cheese at Home
Experts don’t expect the shortage to last for long, but there are ways around it if you can’t go without your favorite bagel spread. There aren’t many great substitutes for the staple, but you might be surprised to learn that cream cheese is actually very easy to make at home.
You only need three ingredients to make your own cream cheese:
- 8 cups of full-fat milk
- 5 tablespoons of lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Optional add-ins like herbs, honey, nuts or dried chilies are also easy to incorporate using this method.
See more: Cheesemaking 101: How to Make 3 Popular Varieties at Home
Step 1: Bring your milk to a boil.
Pour the milk into a saucepan and heat over medium-high until boiling.
Step 2: Add the lemon juice.
As soon as it starts to boil, add the lemon juice and turn off the heat. The acid from the lemon will make the dairy curdle. Set the mixture aside for a few minutes as the curds form.
Step 3: Separate the curds and whey.
Pour the curdled milk through a cheesecloth or use a slotted spoon to strain all the whey (liquid) from the curds. Rinse the curds under cold water, then, using a cheesecloth, squeeze the curds to remove as much whey as possible.
Step 4: Blend the curds into cream cheese.
Place the curds into a food processor or blender, add salt and other optional add-ins as desired, and blend for 1 to 2 minutes until you have smooth cream cheese. Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.