A process for manufacturing semi-hard cheese, wherein skimmed milk enriched in fat and proteins, but depleted in lactose is subjected to coagulation without the need for pre-drainage of whey and any washing operations.

An invention directed to a process and device for electrically heating and preparing pasta filata type cheeses. The ohmic heating process of this invention is introduced after separation of initial curd from whey, as heated stretching is initiated to create nascent pasta filata cheese fibers. An apparatus is devised to receive the newly formed curd mass and to provide contact of the mass with an electric coupler that channels electric current through the conductive cheese mass as it is concurrently stretched. The features of this device include an electrically charged element, a grounding element and a texturizing tool.

Heating the natural cheese to cause at least one of modification of the structural chemistry of the proteins, completely or partially denaturing proteins, and inactivating proteolytic enzymes, lipolytic enzymes, and microbial organisms within the cheese allows for the cheese to be fried or grilled while maintaining its consistency and shape, baked as Juustoleipa; heated and mechanically processed as in cooking-stretching process used for mozzarella. The method produces cheese with various structural and melting properties using a single recipe and manufacturing facility.

The invention relates to a method for treatment of milk which is to be used in the preparation of soft cheese, the method comprises adding, practically simultaneously a slow acidifying bacterial culture, a fast acidifying bacterial culture and at least one coagulant. Preferred is a soft-cheese type, such as e.g. a brie type or a camembert type cheese.

The invention relates to a method for treatment of milk which is to be used in the preparation of soft cheese, the method comprises adding, practically simultaneously a slow acidifying bacterial culture, a fast acidifying bacterial culture and at least one coagulant. Preferred is a soft-cheese type, such as e.g. a brie type or a camembert type cheese.

A variant polypeptide having chymosin activity, wherein the variant has an amino acid sequence which, when aligned with the chymosin comprising the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2, comprises at least one substitution of an amino acid residue corresponding to any of amino acids 2, 22, 40, 48, 50, 51, 53, 61, 62, 76, 88, 98, 99, 109, 112, 117, 125, 126, 135, 144, 160, 161, 163, 187, 189, 194, 200, 201, 202, 203, 221, 223, 240, 242, 244, 254, 267, 271, 273, 278, 280, 284, 289, 292, 294 or 295 said positions being defined with reference to SEQ ID NO: 2 and wherein the variant has one or more altered properties as compared with a reference polypeptide having chymosin activity. Such a variant polypeptide may be used in the preparation of a cheese.

Embodiments may include a method of making a cheese shape. The method may include providing a cheese-shaping system. The cheese-shaping system may include at least a first chilled roller belt. The method may also include supplying a cheese mass in molten form to the first chilled roller belt. A cheese sheet may then be formed on the first chilled roller belt. The method may further include cooling the cheese sheet through contact with the first chilled roller belt. In addition, the method may include forming and removing the cheese shape from the cooled cheese sheet. Furthermore, the method may include applying a liquid application to the cheese shape.

Embodiments may include a method of making a cheese shape. The method may include providing a cheese-shaping system. The cheese-shaping system may include at least a first chilled roller belt. The method may also include supplying a cheese mass in molten form to the first chilled roller belt. A cheese sheet may then be formed on the first chilled roller belt. The method may further include cooling the cheese sheet through contact with the first chilled roller belt. In addition, the method may include forming and removing the cheese shape from the cooled cheese sheet. Furthermore, the method may include applying a liquid application to the cheese shape.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel method for producing cheese or a cheese-like food. A method for producing cheese or a cheese-like food.

The equipment (1) comprises: supporting means (3) adapted to support at least one cheese (C) of the fresh pasta filata type; gripping means (6) adapted to retain at least one portion (P) of the cheese (C); filling means (7) adapted to inject a filling into the cheese (C) through said portion (P) to obtain a stuffed cheese(S); at least one automated positioning system (19) adapted to pick up the cheese (C) from a supply station (E) and to transfer it onto the supporting means (3), wherein the automated positioning system (19) comprises: one retaining and holding assembly (28) for the cheese (C); one displacement unit (29) adapted to move the retaining and holding assembly (28) between the supply station (E) and the supporting means (3).