Suggested is a process for the production of a UHT milk with improved taste characteristics, comprising the following steps: (a) Providing a raw milk; (b) Separating the raw milk into a skimmed milk fraction and a cream fraction; (c) Microfiltration of the skimmed milk fraction, obtaining a casein-containing retentate R1 and a fine whey as permeate P1; (d) Ultrafiltration of the fine whey of step (c), obtaining a permeate P2 that is rich in lactose and minerals, and a protein-rich retentate R2; (e) Pasteurization of the retentate R2; (f) Mixing the cream fraction, the retentate R1 and the permeate P2, obtaining a mixed fraction M1; (g) Ultra-high temperature treatment of the mixed fraction M1 of step (f); and (h) Mixing the ultra-heat treated fraction M1 of step (g) with the pasteurized retentate R2 of step (e), obtaining the target product.

The disclosure provides a simple and effective methods for sterilization of milk without degradation or loss of biologically active agents in the milk and the products produced by such methods.

Disclosed are processes for producing high protein, Greek yogurt products. Such processes can include a step of concentrating a skim milk product to produce a protein-enriched milk fraction, which then can be combined with one or more additional milk fractions to form a yogurt base. The yogurt base is inoculated with a yogurt culture and fermented, and at least a portion of the acid whey is removed from the fermented product using a ceramic ultrafiltration membrane system to form the Greek yogurt product.

Food products and systems and methods for their production involve microfiltration (“MF”) of fluid skim to form a MF retentate, combining the MF retentate with cream and subjecting the combination to ultrafiltration (“UF”) to form a UF retentate. Prior to UF, the composition is formed of non-acidified components. Following UF, the UF retentate is acidified and forms a food product including a high solids content. The solids content may be further increased using evaporation. The resulting cheese or cheese base contains a lower whey protein ratio in a fat:casein:whey protein ratio compared to systems and methods that do not employ MF.

Phospholipid concentration methods involve use of a dairy composition, such as buttermilk or butter serum, as a starting material. The dairy composition is subjected to a first ultrafiltration, yielding a first permeate and a first retentate. The first retentate is treated with carbon dioxide and subjected to microfiltration, yielding a second permeate and a second retentate. The second retentate is treated with carbon dioxide and subjected to a second ultrafiltration, yielding a third permeate and a third retentate. The third retentate includes at least 30 wt % phospholipids.

Phospholipid concentration methods involve use of a dairy composition, such as buttermilk or butter serum, as a starting material. The dairy composition is subjected to a first ultrafiltration, yielding a first permeate and a first retentate. The first retentate is treated with carbon dioxide and subjected to microfiltration, yielding a second permeate and a second retentate. The second retentate is treated with carbon dioxide and subjected to a second ultrafiltration, yielding a third permeate and a third retentate. The third retentate includes at least 30 wt % phospholipids.

Processing of milk raw material produces a dairy salt. Preliminary treatment of the milk raw is carried out, with pasteurization and its concentration by nanofiltration through a filter with a pore size of 0.001-0.01 μm, subsequent filtration of the obtained nanofiltration permeate through a membrane module with a pore size of 0.0001-0.001 μm of a reverse osmosis unit, electrodialysis of the obtained RO retentate, concentration of the concentrate or its concentration and drying. The dairy salts may be manufactured and used to salt food products, beverages, granulated cottage cheese, potato chips, crackers, and dips. A masking fraction with organic acid, amino acid, fatty acid, and sugar portions successfully hides the off-notes otherwise associated with potassium compositions. Food products salted with any of the dairy salts described herein achieve reduced sodium content without compromising flavor.

Food products and systems and methods for their production involve subjecting pasteurized milk to a concentration process thereby forming liquid concentrated milk, then fermenting the liquid concentrated milk to form a fermented concentrated milk product. The fermented concentrated milk product is combined with a liquid emulsifying agent, thereby forming a food product. The food product is formed without the fermented concentrated milk product and the food product reaching a temperature of 145° F.

An outlet (3) for fluid feed of a first membrane module (1a) is connected to a fluid inlet (2) of a second membrane module (1b), and if further membrane module(s) is/are present, the outlet (3) for fluid feed of a previous membrane module (n−1) is connected to the fluid inlet (2) of a following membrane module (n), and for the last membrane module (n), the outlet (3) for fluid feed is connected to the fluid inlet (2) for fluid feed of the first membrane module (1a). An amount of fluid feed is continuously pumped with pressure PB through a loop of n membrane modules that are serially connected, the fluid feed and permeate flow concurrently through each of the n membrane module(s), generated permeate is continuously drained from each membrane module through a permeate outlet, permeate pressure at the permeate outlet of each membrane module is controlled within a range.

The present invention relates to a novel method for preparing acid-gellable whey protein aggregates in the form of concentrated suspensions or powders. Moreover, the present invention relates to a novel composition containing the acid-gellable whey protein aggregates, to a food product ingredient comprising the novel type of acid-gellable whey protein composition, and to a food product comprising the novel type of acid-gellable whey protein composition.