An attempt to produce low fat cephalotyre (Ras) cheese of acceptable quality

Abstract

Two trials were carried out to produce low fat Ras cheese with acceptable organoleptic properties. In the first trial, cheese milk containing 1%, 1·5% or 2% fat and including CMC or carrageenan at levels of 0·1% and 0·02%, respectively, was used in cheese making. Control cheese was also made from milk containing 4% fat. Cheese without added stabilizers and containing lower fat levels than the control cheese had a flat flavour and tough rubbery body throughout ripening. The addition of both stabilizers improved the body characteristics of low fat cheese but did not affect flavour development in cheeses made from 1% and 1·5% fat milk and only slightly enhanced flavour intensity in cheese made from 2% fat milk. In the second trial, cheese milk of 1% or 1·5% fat with added 0·02% carrageenan was used for the preparation of Ras cheese curd. The resultant curd was then mixed with 2% of a starter culture containing S. diacetylactis and L. casei with 10 ml of 0·05% MnCl 2 solution for each kilogram of curd or reduced glutathione at a level of 100 mg/kg curd. The additives enhanced flavour intensity, improved body characteristics and accelerated the formation of both soluble nitrogenous compounds and Free Volatile Fatty Acids.