Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing cheese comprising: (a) providing a protein concentrate, (b) providing a flavour concentrate using at least one strain of organism, (c) mixing the protein concentrate with a source of fat and/or liquid if required and heating to form a coagulated cheese mass, (d) adding the flavour concentrate before, during or after step (c). The method allows rapid production of flavoured cheeses.

Abstract: Process for preparing a concentrated milk protein ingredient comprising the steps of: providing a membrane retentate solution having kappa-casein milk protein, adjusting the divalent ion content of said protein solution to a predetermined level at which no gel is formed after treatment with milk clotting enzyme, adding a food grade milk clotting enzyme under conditions where kappa-casein is converted to para-kappa casein while remaining in solution, terminating the conversion by removal or inactivation of the enzyme and concentrating said solution. The resultant milk protein concentrate ingredient is used in the production of cheese.

Abstract: The invention described is a process for manufacturing a dairy ingredient particularly suited for use in cheese manufacture. The process involves treating a dairy stream under conditions to form a protein concentrate and serum. The stream may optionally be split and different conditions/reactants used in each separate stream to modify the entrained proteins before the separate streams are recombined. The protein concentrate is solubilised before being recombined with the serum. The mono-di-valent cation content of the protein concentrate may be adjusted as the protein concentrate is solubilised. The ingredient produced can be used in the manufacture of cheese products.

Abstract: The invention described is a milk protein composition having a high percentage of the whey protein from the dairy stream from which is was derived bound to the casein from that stream. The composition is prepared by a process in which the dairy stream heated during a holding period. A transglutaminase enzyme is added and the stream is again heated. This is followed by a step of coagulating the curd in the protein composition by the addition of a milk clotting enzyme or by acidifying. The milk protein composition may then be dried into a powder for use in cheese making.

Abstract: The invention provides a dried milk protein concentrate which has high denatured whey protein content and is calcium depleted. Processes for preparing the product are also provided. The product is useful in preparing cheese, particularly for reducing the formation of nuggets (thin protein rich gels of a different colour) in the cheese. In one embodiment the calcium content of a milk protein concentrate is reduced and whey proteins are denatured using heat treatment, prior to drying, to obtain the product.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel process of making cheese comprising the production of a coagulum which is caused to disagregate into small curd particles in an in-line continuous flow process, separation of the curd particles from the whey and subsequent heating and mechanical working of the curd particles into a cheese mass.