Abstract: Creamy, cultured dairy based water continuous spread comprising less than 35% fat, up to 4.5% milk protein, gelatin or a gelatin replacer, optionally up to 2% structuring agent, the spread having a pH value between 4.6 and 5.2, and a Stevens value hardness at 10.degree. C. of 200-500 g and of 50-250 g at 20.degree. C., a whey protein to casein weight ratio higher than in milk, and the spread having a butter-like mouthfeel, texture and taste. In one preferred embodiment, the fat is a dairy fat. In another embodiment, the fat is a mixture of non-dairy fat and dairy fat, preferably 10-55% non-dairy fat and 90-45% dairy fat.

Abstract: Milk is curdled by adding a suitable coagulant, other additives optionally also being added, and a mesophilic starter culture is applied,after curdling, cutting the curd formed and separating off the whey, andpressing the cheese mass, whereinlive yoghurt bacteria are added to the milk, such as Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus in a weight ratio of mesophilic culture to yoghurt culture of 0.30 to 0.02 and preferably 0.1 to 0.04. The cheese product possesses a Gaba/Glu (gamma amino butyric acid/glutamic acid) ratio of at least 0.1 and preferably 0.25. The cheese product comprises eyes with a total volume of at least 4% (w/w) of the total cheese volume.