Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for preparing a fat free cream cheese product which approximates the flavor and consistency of traditional full fat cream cheese. According to the process of the invention, a pasteurized mixture comprising skim milk fortified with caseinate is inoculated with a bacterial starter culture containing acid-producing and flavor-producing organisms and fermented at a temperature ranging between about 68.degree. F. and about 110.degree. F. until the mixture reaches a pH 4.7 and 5.0. Thereafter, the fermented mixture is cooled to 40.degree. F. and held at that temperature for a period ranging between about 24 and about 96 hours. The resulting mixture is then blended with dry cottage cheese curd or cultured skim milk curd and an emulsifying salt and allowed to set quiescently for a period ranging between 15 and 60 minutes. The mixture is subjected to a first heating step to a temperature between 130.degree. F. and 160.degree. F.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for preparing a low fat or fat free cream cheese which approximates the flavor and consistency of traditional full fat cream cheese. According to the process of the invention, a pasteurized mixture comprising skim milk fortified with nonfat dry milk is inoculated with a bacterial starter culture containing acid-producing and flavor-producing organisms. The inoculated mixture is then fermented at a temperature ranging between about 68.degree. F. and about 110.degree. F. until the mixture reaches a pH 4.5 and 5.5. Thereafter, the fermented mixture is cooled to 40.degree. F. and held at that temperature for a period ranging between about 48 and about 96 hours. The resulting mixture is then blended with dry cottage cheese curd or cultured skim milk curd, a stabilizing hydrocolloid and other dried ingredients. The resulting fat free cream cheese product has a water content ranging between about 70% wt. and 77% wt., a pH level ranging between about 4.7 and about 5.