Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a product includes a conveyor assembly and a slitter assembly. The conveyor assembly conveys the product in a feed direction and defines a conveyance surface, on which the product is conveyed. The slitter assembly slits the product into strips as the product is conveyed in the feed direction. The slitter assembly comprises a plurality of cutting elements arranged in a V shape and overlapping one another in the feed direction, as viewed in a direction substantially normal to the conveyance surface. A chopping assembly is positioned downstream of the slitter assembly. The chopping assembly comprises an elongated blade, which moves in an elliptical cutting motion, such that it has a component in the downward direction to sever the strips of product, and a component in the feed direction to toss the severed pieces of product in the feed direction.

Abstract: A process of converting unfrozen blocks of a mozzarella cheese into a comminuted form suitable for shipment or storage is disclosed. The process involves dicing or shredding the unfrozen cheese blocks; placing the particles of cheese in a fluidized bed freezer to completely freeze each particle rapidly (e.g., within 7 minutes), and keeping the cheese in the fluidized bed until it is completely frozen and its temperature has dropped to below 0.degree. F.; removing the particulate, frozen cheese from the fluidized bed soon enought to avoid moisture loss (e.g., within 10 minutes); optionally spraying the cheese with an aqueous solution or dispersion of a cheese additive (e,g., sodium citrate); and the packaging the cheese while it is still frozen.

Abstract: A method of baking pizzas is provided in which freeflowing cheese granules are applied as a topping. The outer surfaces of the granules are coated with an aqueous carrier containing a cheese modifier for promoting the melting and fusing of the granules during baking.

Abstract: Coated frozen cheese granules are prepared by freezing the granules and applying an aqueous coating containing one or more modifying additives. On baking the cheese the additives in the frozen coatings distribute throughout the cheese to obtain modifications of flavor and other properties.

Abstract: Cheese of the kind used on pizzas is prepared in granular form, and frozen by an individual quick freezing method to maintain granule moisture and distribution. The resulting free-flowing granules can be baked on pizzas in frozen or partially frozen condition while obtaining as good quality baked pizzas as when fully thawed granule cheese is used. The problem of undue browning and blistering heretofore associated with the use of frozen cheese is avoided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for preparing pasta filata cheese for brining and cutting. The warm mixed cheese is extruded in a continuous ribbon which is discharged into a channel filled with cold brine. The brine and ribbon flow together through the channel, and the ribbon is mechanically removed therefrom on a continuous basis. After removal from the brine channel, the ribbon can be cut into long lengths for brining, and thereafter into the final size for packaging.

Abstract: Pasta filata cheese is prepared by a process in which the cooked granular curd is held in a cold storage room prior to the mixing and stretching, which imparts the typical pasta filata stringiness to the cheese product. The process preferably uses a starter culture providing S. thermophilus and a high-temperature-growing Lactobacillus, the cooking of the curd-whey mixture at a temperature favoring the growth of these bacteria with a resulting reduction of the internal pH of the curd, separating the warm curd, contacting it with cool water, and holding the cooled curd under cool ambient conditions until the internal pH of the curd has decreased to a pH suitable for mixing. The process also preferably involves blending curd from a plurality of separate batches prior to said mixing and stretching step.

Abstract: Cheese of the kind used on pizzas is prepared in granular form, and frozen by an individual quick freezing method to maintain granule moisture and distribution. The resulting free-flowing granules can be baked on pizzas in frozen or partially frozen condition while obtaining as good quality baked pizzas as when fully thawed granule cheese is used. The problem of undue browning and blistering heretofore associated with the use of frozen cheese is avoided.