Abstract: An improved method of growing acid-producing microorganisms (bacteria) used in cheese making is provided which gives enhanced bacterial counts and activities, and yields proper coccus/rod ratios in the case of mixed cultures used for making Italian cheeses such as mozzarella. The preferred method involves inoculating a starter medium with the appropriate microorganisms, followed by initial incubation until the pH of the medium drops to about 3.9-5.5; at this point the pH is raised to about 5.5-7.5, typically by the addition of a base such as sodium hydroxide. The medium is then allowed to further incubate to completion. In particularly preferred forms, the starter medium includes sweet whey, nonfat dry milk, and a minor proportion of lecithin, inasmuch as this medium gives enhanced results when used in conjunction with the improved method.

Abstract: Low cost, readily dispersible, phage-resistant cheese starter media are described which include milk-derived nutrients (e.g., nonfat milk and whey) along with a minor proportion of preferably free or unbound lecithin. The media also may advantageously include sodium tetraphosphate which assists in the dispersion of whey solids. The media of the invention can be used at significantly lower levels as compared with nonfat dry milk solids (e.g. 7 percent versus 12 percent), while nevertheless obtaining essentially equivalent results in terms of culture growth and final culture properties. A method of producing the media is also disclosed, involving liquid preblending of phosphates and lecithin, followed by addition thereof to milk-derived nutrients and reaction of the phosphates to tie up free calcium ion. Preferably, reaction is carried out for about 1 to 12 hours while agitating. The final step involves drying of the mixture to yield a substantially homogeneous, reconstitutable powder.