Abstract: The invention relates to cheese and cheese-like products comprising about 0.2 to about 6% by weight ?s-casein, ?-casein, or a combination thereof, at least about 5% by weight of one or more hydrocolloids comprising one or more starches, and wherein the cheese or cheese-like product has one or more characteristics of a dairy product, such as flavour, taste, aroma, body, appearance, texture, firmness, handling, density, structure, coagulation, binding, leavening, aeration, foaming, emulsification, elasticity, viscoelasticity, melt, creaminess and mouthfeel.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for preparing processed cheese and processed cheese products having reduced sodium content, while retaining desirable organoleptic characteristics, processability, food safety attributes and functional characteristics normally associated with processed cheese or processed cheese products having normal sodium content, and the processed cheeses and processed cheese products so produced.

Abstract: A method for preparing a protein gel is provided. It comprises providing a daily starting material comprising casein; adjusting the pH, if required, to a pre-selected point in the range 5.0-8.0; subjecting the material with the pre-selected pH to a cooking step; adjusting the pH of the cooked product to 3.8-7.5, preferably 4.5-7.5; processing and/or packing the pH 3.8-7.5, preferably pH 4.5-7.5 product to form the final product or ingredient wherein at least 10% of the casein of the dairy starting material comprises alphas enriched casein having an alphas to beta casein weight ratio of greater than 1.25:1 or alphas depleted casein having an alphas to beta casein weight ratio of less than 0.8:1. The invention also provides an ingredient for use in the method.