Abstract: An imitation cheese composition is provided with improved melt functionality. The imitation cheese composition includes non-interesterified/non-hydrogenated vegetable oils, fractionated vegetable oils, specific corn-derived food starches, specific potato-derived food starches, gelatin, and hydrocolloids.

Abstract: An imitation cheese composition is provided with improved melt functionality. The imitation cheese composition includes non-interesterified/non-hydrogenated vegetable oils, fractionated vegetable oils, specific corn-derived food starches, specific potato-derived food starches, gelatin, and hydrocolloids.

Abstract: Emulsifying salt-free processed cheese products as well as methods of preparing emulsifying salt-free processed cheese products are provided. The emulsifying salt-free processed cheese products are prepared with modified starch containing amylopectin and substantially no amylase and without emulsifying salts. The emulsifying salt-free processed cheese products are advantageously resistant to separation during heating and retain desirable organoleptic properties, such as texture and flavor, without using emulsifying salts.

Abstract: Cheese products with improved flavor, texture and melting properties are disclosed. Topical application of a dairy powder, and in particular a cream cheese powder, to a cheese product improves not only dairy flavor when consumed cold, but unexpectedly also melted appearance, texture and taste.

Abstract: Cheese products with improved flavor, texture and melting properties are described as well as methods for producing such cheese products. The cheese product includes blended in cream cheese or cream cheese powder such that the flavor and the melted appearance of the cheese product are enhanced.

Abstract: An imitation cheese composition is provided with improved melt functionality. The imitation cheese composition includes non-interesterified/non-hydrogenated vegetable oils, fractionated vegetable oils, specific corn-derived food starches, specific potato-derived food starches, gelatin, and hydrocolloids.

Abstract: A pasteurized and blended cheese product containing fatty meat is described. The product includes a portion of natural cheese or a mixture of natural cheeses and an amount of meat provided as inclusions dispersed in the portion of the natural cheese or mixture of natural cheeses. The blended meat and cheese product includes low levels of emulsifying salts to stabilize the meat fat and moisture form the meat, but yet retain the organoleptic characteristics of natural cheese.

Abstract: Cheese products with improved flavor, texture and melting properties are disclosed. Topical application of a dairy powder, and in particular a cream cheese powder, to a cheese product improves not only dairy flavor when consumed cold, but unexpectedly also melted appearance, texture and taste.

Abstract: Cheese products with improved flavor, texture and melting properties are disclosed. Topical application of a dairy powder, and in particular a cream cheese powder, to a cheese product improves not only dairy flavor when consumed cold, but unexpectedly also melted appearance, texture and taste.

Abstract: A method of forming cheese shreds having a wide or modified crescent shape is provided. By one approach, the method includes preparing a block of cheese by chilling the cheese to a predetermined temperature and/or reducing the size of the cheese block into cheese portions or cubes. Next, the cheese portions or cubes are fed into a shredder with shredding blades having a sinusoidal configuration. The shredder is operated to shred the cheese into modified crescent shapes with an upper and lower curved surfaces and tapered ends therebetween. Further, the modified crescent shaped cheese shreds have improved meltability such that a smaller amount of cheese can be used to achieve greater coverage, flavor, and mouth feel, as compared to previous cheese shred configurations.

Abstract: Particulate natural cheese products having a modified starch composition as an anticaking agent as well as methods of melting the shredded cheese product are provided. The modified starch anticaking agent provides intact starch granules including amylopectin and substantially no amylose for the particulate cheese. During heating, the natural cheese melt is resistant to separation, and retains desirable organoleptic properties such as texture and flavor in the final product.

Abstract: Emulsifying salt-free processed cheese products as well as methods of preparing emulsifying salt-free processed cheese products are provided. The emulsifying salt-free processed cheese products are prepared with modified starch containing amylopectin and substantially no amylase and without emulsifying salts. The emulsifying salt-free processed cheese products are advantageously resistant to separation during heating and retain desirable organoleptic properties, such as texture and flavor, without using emulsifying salts.

Abstract: Cheese products with improved flavor, texture and melting properties are described as well as methods for producing such cheese products. The cheese product includes blended in cream cheese or cream cheese powder such that the flavor and the melted appearance of the cheese product are enhanced.

Abstract: Cheese products with improved flavor, texture and melting properties are disclosed. Topical application of a dairy powder, and in particular a cream cheese powder, to a cheese product improves not only dairy flavor when consumed cold, but unexpectedly also melted appearance, texture and taste.