Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

An improved method of growing acid-producing microorganisms (bacteria) used in cheese making is provided which gives enhanced bacterial counts and activities, and yields proper coccus/rod ratios in the case of mixed cultures used for making Italian cheeses such as mozzarella. The preferred method involves inoculating a starter medium with the appropriate microorganisms, followed by initial incubation until the pH of the medium drops to about 3.9-5.5; at this point the pH is raised to about 5.5-7.5, typically by the addition of a base such as sodium hydroxide. The medium is then allowed to further incubate to completion. In particularly preferred forms, the starter medium includes sweet whey, nonfat dry milk, and a minor proportion of lecithin, inasmuch as this medium gives enhanced results when used in conjunction with the improved method.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim