It seems that different preparations of rennet or different amounts of labor in the cheesemaking process can produce different types of cheeses. Such factors would be easy to add in for a little variety.
I'm tidying up notes from around my desk. This turns out to be my 50th post!
1.
Costs associated with getting your way. Spend points from (a pool based on ability)?
No. Very story-gamey. But, losing points from a pool which is based on your ability scores *is* fine, so that idea could be used for something. Suppose that if you have a Int/Con/other ability core of 15 that you also have a pool of 15 points which can sustain damage, similarly to HP.
(well actually that's very finicky. Revisiting this one a day later: I don't think I like it, but it's fod for thought.)