Abstract: Method of manufacturing spreadable low fat fresh cheese devoid of non-dairy binding or structuring agents or added whey protein having a dry matter content of over 25% wt., a fat content of 0-10 and preferably 0-7% wt. on dry matter and a Stevens value in excess of 200 at 10.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for enhancing the incorporation of seric or whey protein in the cheese curd to be used in a continuous flow method for producing cheese. The process includes the steps of raising the temperature to between 75 and 85 degrees centigrade for a period of time that could vary from 10 minutes to 30 minutes. Subsequently, the temperature of the milk is lowered and maintained between 38 and 48 degrees centigrade for the rest of the process. The next step involves the addition of a coagulation agent at a rate of between 20 and 40 percent more than what is conventionally used. The resulting curd is then cut in relatively small pieces to increase its effective surface area. Then, the next step involves the addition of calcium chloride at a rate that is between 150 and 190 percent above (or 2.5 to 2.9 times) the used amount used. The curd is then finally drained and molded.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for producing a highly flavored cheese product in a short period of time. In the method, a mixture of cream, whole milk and non-fat dry milk is provided. The mixture has a solids content of from about 45% to about 55%. The mixture is pasteurized or heat treated and the temperature of the mixture is adjusted to between about 85.degree. F. and about 95.degree. F. A lactic acid producing culture, at least one enzyme and rennet is added to the mixture. The mixture is then fermented at a temperature of from about 85.degree. F. to about 95.degree. F. for a period of time sufficient to provide a highly flavored cheese coagulum. The cheese coagulum is then heated to a temperature of from about 160.degree. F. to about 175.degree. F. to inactivate the culture and enzymes and to provide a highly flavored cheese product. The cheese product is cut with agitation. Thereafter, the cheese product is cooled to a temperature of from about 40.degree. F. to about 50.degree. F.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing cheese which is simulative of pasta filata cheeses, but which does not require a mixing and/or molding step, and the cheese product produced by the method, are disclosed. The method includes the steps of pre-acidifying milk; ripening the milk with a mesophilic starter culture to yield cheese milk; coagulating the cheese milk by adding a coagulant to yield a coagulum; cutting the coagulum to yield curds and whey; separating the curds from the whey and washing the curds in water; and proceeding directly to salt, hoop, and press the curds in the absence of any milling, mixing, or molding of the curds.

Abstract: A production process for cream cheese-like products by fermenting a cream mix comprising 2 to 15 wt. % of a protein component, 2 to 15 wt. % of a carbohydrate assimilable by lactic acid bacteria, 10 to 50 wt. % of a fat component, 40 to 75 wt. % of water and an emulsifier and characterized in that after pasteurization or sterilization, without substantial removal of the whey, the pasteurized or sterilized fermentation material is homogenized and cooled.

Abstract: A process for producing cheese, in which an enzyme preparation comprising a specific protease is added to cheese milk in the course of the process.

Abstract: The processed cheese product of the present invention contains natural cheese, a dry component selected from the group consisting of whey protein concentrate, non-fat milk solids and mixtures thereof and yogurt. In the method of the invention for making a processed cheese, one or more types of natural cheese are ground to provide a particulate cheese. The particulate cheese is mixed with a dry component selected from the group consisting of whey protein concentrate, non-fat dry milk and mixtures thereof in a blender to provide a cheese mixture. The mixture is transferred to a cooker and the mixture is heated to a first predetermined temperature. Yogurt is added to the heated mixture to provide a processed cheese product. Heating of the product is continued to a second predetermined temperature. The product is then cooled and packaged.

Abstract: A process of producing cheese in improved yields, wherein a recombinant aspartic protease, derived from Rhizomucor miehei or Rhizomucor pusillus, is added to milk in sufficient amounts to effect clotting of the milk, after which the resulting curd is processed in a manner known per se for making cheese.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for making a particulate natural cheese suitable for preparation of processed cheese, as well as for use as a natural cheese, such as a snack food and shreds for cheese toppings. In the method, a milk coagulum is provided. The coagulum is cut to provide particulate cheese curds and whey. The cheese curd is cooked while undergoing agitation. Thereafter, whey is drained from the cheese curd while the cheese curd is continuously agitated. The cheese curd is then cooled or dried sufficiently to maintain the cheese curd as separate particles. Agitation may be used during or immediately after the cooling or drying step to insure separation of the cheese particles. The cheese particles formed may form friable lumps but do not knit during storage. The cheese particles are then packed into relatively large containers holding from about 1,000 to about 2,500 pounds of cheese curd or may be bulk packed in rail cars or trucks.

Abstract: A fresh renneted cheese having a pH value of 6.7 or below and in particular between 6.0 and 5.0 having a hydrocolloid structure which has not developed before the casein network of the cheese has developed. A method of preparing this cheese comprises adding a hydrocoloid before renneting but controlling the conditions such that the hydrocolloid network does not develop before the casein network.

Abstract: A method of making melt-controlled cheese and a melt-controlled cheese are described. The method includes mixing a curd produced by adding acid to hot milk and a curd product by rennet coagulation. A cheese with taste and texture similar to natural cheese but with desirable melting properties is produced.

Abstract: A texturizing product for dairy products including yogurt and fresh cheese is prepared by adding a quantity of sweet whey proteins to a milk-based raw material to prepare a mixture having a casein:whey protein ratio of from 70:30 to 40:60 and by preparing the mixture so that it has a pH of from 6.1 to 6.7, and then the mixture is heated to obtain a casein and whey protein co-precipitate-containing mixture which then is subjected to shear to obtain the texturizing product. The texturizing product, such as in a dehydrated form, is combined with a milk for preparing a yogurt or fresh cheese.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing natural cheese, characterized in that a transglutaminase is included therein for a reaction. The process can provide a large amount of cheese curd compared to conventional methods, making it possible to efficiently use the starting milk. Further, the obtained cheese has an excellent flavor, texture and appearance.

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 steady flow process converts a fluid proteinaceous mix to a cuttable interstage enzymatic curd and thereafter converts the enzymatic curd to a desired end cheese product. The process includes the step of initially combining an accurately metered and proportioned pumpable stream containing proteins, fats and/or oils and other components, and an accurately metered proportioned pumpable acidified water stream containing an enzyme and other non-enzymatic components. A bacterial agent is included in the enzyme stream. The two streams are admixed by directing the streams through an orifice into an acoustic resonating chamber to produce a turbulent jet stream.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a process for manufacturing reduced-fat cheeses. In particular, the present invention is a process for the manufacture of reduced-fat Cheddar cheese. The process is characterized in that the initial coagulum is cut at a firmer state than in conventional Cheddar cheeses, the whey is drained from the curds at a relatively high pH, and the pH is maintained at a high level at the time the curd is milled and salted. The curds are neither washed nor rinsed with water during the process.

Abstract: A method of producing cheese-type food from powdered milk as a starting material, prepared by ultrafiltrating milk, adjusting the ultrafiltrated milk to pH 5.0-5.8 and by spray-drying it, which is then heated and melted with an addition of emulsifying salts. Also a method or producing aged-type cheese by ripening green cheese processed from powdered milk, prepared by adding lactic-acid bacteria starter to ultrafiltrated milk and dried.

Abstract: A method of cheese production using ultrafiltrated, concentrated milk, to which is optionally added a further retentate made from ultrafiltrated milk which has been acidified with at least one starter culture to obtain a pH value of from 4.5 to 5.6. Salt and other additives are added and while supplying cheese rennet, the retentate is pumped into cheese molds or ready-made packages in which the cheese receives a final heat treatment at from 18.degree. to 65.degree. C. for a period of from 4 to 36 hours.

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.

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.

Abstract: A process of making pasta filata cheese in which a ripened curd is combined with chopped ingredients and stretched (filatura) in a "filatura" liquid which can be mainly water at 60.degree.-95.degree. C., after which is product is formed, cooled, hardened and packaged.

Abstract: The cheese manufacturing process of this invention includes separating milk into skim milk and cream fractions, coagulating the the skim milk fraction at high temperature (120.degree.-190.degree. F.) to produce curds, and combining the curds with the cream fraction. The curds are preferably separated from whey and dehydrated prior to being combined with the cream. The fat content of the cream is increased before it is mixed with the curds. Cultured milk is added to the cream-curd mixture to regulate the moisture content of the resulting process cheese.

Abstract: For preparing a string cheese, curd grains are introduced into a conveyor compartment suitable for statically containing and statically draining the grains while transporting the grains for a time for draining, syneresis and forming of the grains into a pre-cheese loaf.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for making a high moisture, low-fat cheddar type cheese product from skim milk. The skim milk cheddar cheese product has from about 54% to about 58% moisture and less than 1% fat. The process parameters of the method are established to provide a skim milk cheddar cheese bulk product having uniform moisture and pH. In the method of the invention, skim milk is fermented, coagulated, cut into curd and whey, cooked, drained, washed and salted at particular times and pH's. The curd particles, having about 60% moisture, are then placed into 55 gallon drums and are pressed in cheddar cheese type pressing apparatus to remove moisture and provide a curd with about 60% moisture. A foraminous plate is then placed over the drum opening. The drum is inverted and the whey which is expelled from the curd by syneresis is drained for a period of from about 10 to about 24 hours until the curd has attained a pH of from about 4.9 to about 5.4.

Abstract: Improved process for manufacturing dairy products, characterized by the fact that it comprises the use of an effective amount of at least one of the gluconic and glucoheptonic ions at the latest at the time at which there is a risk of the occurrence of phagic attack of said ferments.

Abstract: Efficient utilization of a whey protein for the production of cheese, which results from the cheese production as a by-product. The whey is concentrated by an ultrafiltration and added to the concentrated milk. A milk coagulating enzyme and a lactic acid bacteria starter were added to the resultant mixture together with warm or hot water with stirring to instantaneously elevate the temperature of the reaction mixture to coagulate and give the cheese curd.

Abstract: A process for making a cheese food product wherein a gelatin solution selected from the class consisting of carragenates, gelatin, guar, carob and xanthan or any mixture thereof is added and dispersed in as homogeneous manner as possible into an ultrafiltered low fat milk or milk residue to produce a milk blend wherein the milk blend is maintained at a temperature in which gelling does not occur within the milk blend, adding an activator such as a lactic acid to the milk blend, molding the milk blend to produce a paste and then subsequently, draining, brining and ripening the paste. During the ripening of the paste, the pH is maintained below or equal to 5 throughout at least 3/4 of the composition of the cheese product. The resulting low fat cheese product has a fat content relative to the dry matter of less than or equal to 50%.

Abstract: A process for making cheese that can include soluble proteins, such as whey proteins, comprises the steps of renneting the feed stock, heating the renneted feed stock, then adding lactic cultures to the renneted and heat-treated feed stock, removing excess water to produce unfermented cheese and allowing fermentation to proceed to produce fermented cheese. Varied textures of the fermented cheese are achieved by adjusting the degree of the milk clotting enzyme (rennet) action on feed stock, the heat treatment to which the renneted feed stock is subjected, the amount of water removed and the de-watering process conditions. The fermented cheese can be texturized. This process is capable of producing cheese having solids contents from about 40 percent to above about seventy percent by weight. The resulting cheese can be used as natural cheese or as a natural cheese ingredient in the making of processed cheese.

Abstract: In the manufacture of mozzarella cheese, aging can be dispensed with if the process is controlled to yield a combined moisture and wet milkfat content of at least about 70 weight percent, and the cheese will provide acceptable bake performance under typical cooking conditions used in the pizza industry today. Within about 48 hours after brining, the cheese should either be used or frozen. This discovery saves at least seven days of aging and permits the use of a continuous process of making mozzarella, which, from pasteurization to loading of the frozen product on the truck, can be performed in as little time as eight hours. In the continuous process, the hot stretched cheese from the kneading machine is extruded directly into cold brine. After the cheese has cooled sufficiently, it can be comminuted and frozen by independent quick freezing, preferably in a fluidized bed freezer. Salt preferably is mixed into the cheese during the kneading step.

Abstract: The invention concerns casein-containing dispersions, mixed with denatured protein containing compounds. The pH of the mixture is 4.8-5.2, which pH is regulated by stopping of the milk fermentation by heating. The dispersions can be used as a fat replacer in food products such as dressings, toppings, mayonnaises, frozen deserts, cheese products, and spreads.

Abstract: The method of the invention uses live cells of non-fermenting and/or non-growing lactic acid bacteria to deliver bacteriocin into edible food substances to inhibit the growth of food spoilage and/or foodborne pathogenic organisms. The method of the invention may be used to inhibit growth of these organisms in raw food substances and finished food products after processing. The lactic acid bacteria within the food mixture are capable of producing bacteriocin in the desired microbial-inhibiting amounts under conditions of non-growth and non-fermentation.

Abstract: Described are novel donor bacteria harboring a plasmid DNA fragment from a plasmid 30 MDa in molecular weight referred to as pHV67 in L. lactis subsp. lactis TC67, and DNA fragment encoding for a substance which increases viscosity of a milk-containing product. The donor bacteria are capable of conjugally transferring the DNA fragment to a lactic acid bacterium at a frequency of at least about 10.sup.-5 transconjugants per input donor bacterium. Methods involving the preparation and use of bacteria for novel milk fermentations, for example, buttermilk, sour cream and cottage cheese, are also described.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for growth acid-producing bacterial cultures, such as diary cultures, wherein the culture is selected to contain a urease-producing strain of bacteria and the medium used for the culturing contains added urea. During culturing the urease hydrolyzes the urea to acid-neutralizing ammonia which limits the pH drop of the medium, thereby producing cultures of higher bacterial activity. The urea-containing culture media can also be employed with bacterial cultures which do not produce urease, providing urease is added to the culture medium during growth of the bacteria.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting Listeria monocytogenes in a food or other material which can be contaminated with this pathogen using a bacteriocin produced by DNA in Pediococcus acidilactici is described. The bacteriocin is particularly produced by Pediococcus acidilactici containing a 6.2 Mdal (9.4 Kilobase pairs) plasmid encoding for the bacteriocin.

Abstract: The use of a high solids content medium for preparing cheese starter cultures is effective in conditioning the bacteria to enhance their ability to produce cheese from a high solids base. The ingredients of the medium include carbohydrates which are not fermentable by the bacteria, as well as milk protein sources and conventional nutrients. The medium prior to addition of the bacterial starter cultures has a minimum total solids content of about 30%.

Abstract: A method for protecting food systems from gram-positive bacterial spoilage by incorporating a bacteriocin is described. Foods incorporating the bacteriocin are described, particularly salads and salad dressings.

Abstract: A method for making a quasi-natural cheese fermented food from curds obtained by the lactic fermentation of soybean milk, comprising the steps of: (i) shaping the curds treated in a conventional cheese-making manner to a solid form by compacting and pressing, thereby fixing said curds, and (ii) subjecting the thus fixed curds to fermentative ripening in a brewing material containing at least one type of koji as the substrate to which lactic acid bacteria and/or yeast are added.

Abstract: The use of a high solids content medium for preparing cheese starter cultures is effective in conditioning the bacteria to enhance their ability to produce cheese from a high solids base. The ingredients of the medium include carbohydrates which are not fermentable by the bacteria, as well as milk protein sources and conventional nutrients. The medium prior to addition of the bacterial starter cultures has a minimum total solids content of about 30%.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bulk starter medium for the propagation of a mother culture of an acid producing bacteria which medium contains a carbohydrate source, a nitrogen containing growth stimulant, a phage control agent and an essentially insoluble or temporarily insolubilized neutralizing agent to which has been added a foodgrade hydrocolloid stabilizing agent.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting psychrotrophic bacteria in milk products such as Cottage cheese, particularly cream dressed Cottage cheese, using a Pediococcus is disclosed. The inhibition is produced by antimicrobial metabolites generated in the food without fermentation by live Pediococcus.

Abstract: A rennet casein-based puffed product is prepared by coagulating casein with rennet and adjusting the pH to from 5.1 to 5.7, drying it under controlled conditions, extruding it at a dry matter content of from 81% to 85% by weight and subjecting it to subatmospheric pressure. The product may be consumed as such, may be organoleptically modified, or may serve as a texturing, flavoring, or decorative agent in the preparation of culinary and confectionery-chocolate products.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting mold and psychrotrophic bacteria in creamed Cottage cheese using a mixture of Streptococcus lactis subspecies diacetylacis and Propionibacterium shermanii in the cream dressing or creamed Cottage cheese at refrigeration temperatures is described. The method does allow small volumes of the bacteria causing the inhibition to be used in the Cottage cheese.

Abstract: Aging of cheese is accelerated by adding during cheesemaking a composition containing preserved, partially disrupted L. casei and/or L. lactis, and a dried lipase similar to kid or calf pre-gastric lipase. The L. casei or L. lactis has been preserved by freezing, freeze drying, spray drying or fluidized bed drying. Preferably, the L. casei is ATCC 39539 and the L. lactis is ATCC 39538. The composition may optionally contain a similarly preserved and partially disrupted L. plantarum, and/or a microbial neutral protease. The composition may be added to cheese milk before adding coagulant to coagulate the milk or to curd with salt before pressing.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the production of cheese. Milk is initially concentrated by ultrafiltration and diafiltration to obtain the desired buffer capacity to lactose ratio in the retentate. Following concentration, an acid, an acid precursor, or a lactic acid producing starter culture is added to the retentate and the retentate is fermented to obtain a final pH of about 4.9 to 5.6 and preferably 5.1 to 5.2. After complete fermentation, a coagulant, such as rennet, is added to the fermented retentate to produce curds. The curds are subsequently treated to remove moisture and obtain the final solids content and texture. The curds can then be drained, salted and pressed. By reaching to a final pH before coagulation, better pH control is obtained over the final product.

Abstract: A two-stage process for producing a cheese-flavored substance is claimed. A flavor development medium is fermented with a source of lipase/protease; the source of lipase/protease is inactivated and the flavor development medium is fermented by at least one lactic acid-producing microorganism which is thereafter inactivated. The source of lipase/protease is preferably a microorganism, especially Candida lypolitica ATCC 20234. The cheese-flavored substance produced by the process and foods containing the cheese-flavored substance produced by the process are also claimed.

Abstract: A method for automatic measurement and control in curd making process is provided wherein an electrical current is supplied to an electrical conductor thermally contactable with milk stored in a curd tank so as to be heated to result in sufficiently higher temperature of the said conductor than the surrounding milk, temperatures or electrical resistances of the electrical conductor are measured in relation to time lapse, an elapsed time starting from the commencement of curdling is measured on the basis of a change in temperature or electrical resistance of the electrical conductor, and the elapsed time is compared with a predetermined curdling progress time ranging from the commencement of curdling to curd cutting so as to automatically judge a curd cutting timing.

Abstract: A ripened process cheese having the appearance and the organoleptic properties of a soft or hard or semi-hard cheese with a moldy rind, is prepared by forming a cheese block from a cheese melt, acidifying the surface of the cheese block to a pH of 4 to 5 to flocculate surface proteins and form a pre-rind, seeding the acidified surface of the cheese block with ripening molds, and ripening the thus seeded cheese block. Acidification of the surface prevents undue lipolytic and proteolytic breakdown of the cheese by action of enzymes of the molds.

Abstract: A method for using selected strains of Streptococcus lactis subspecies diacetilactis, which have been modified to be non-lactose fermenting, for the preservation of foods containing lactose is described. The subspecies is more generally known as Streptococcus diacetilactis. The selected Streptococcus diacetilactis strains have been modified by curing to remove at least one natural plasmid which controls the fermentation of lactose to lactic acid while retaining the ability of this subspecies to inhibit bacterial spoilage in foods. The plasmid removed by curing is about 41 megadaltons (Mdal) in mass. The method using the modified strains of Streptococcus diacetilactis is particularly adapted for the preservation of milk products.

Abstract: Processed foods and food products are prepared by including from 2,000 to 10,000 I.U. of nisin to prevent the outgrowth of Clostridium botulinum spores.

Abstract: A cheese flavor product can be prepared by incubating cheese or cheese curd with a lipase enzyme, preincubating the mixture to partially digest the cheese or curd, incubating the partially digested cheese to develop the flavor and admixing cream with the product after preincubation or incubation. The product has an intense cheese flavor which is usable as an additive to cheese or imitation cheese to improve the flavor characteristics thereof.