Salting and the role of salt in cheese

Abstract

Salt levels in cheese range from ∼0.7% (w/w) in Swiss‐type to ∼6% (w/w) in Domiati. Salt has three major functions in cheese: it acts as a preservative, contributes directly to flavour, and is a source of dietary sodium. Together with the desired pH, water activity and redox potential, salt assists in cheese preservation by minimizing spoilage and preventing the growth of pathogens. The dietary intake of sodium in the modern western diet is generally excessive, being two to three times the level recommended for desirable physiological function (2.4 g Na, or ∼6 g NaCl per day). However, cheese generally makes a relatively small contribution to dietary sodium intake except if high quantities of high‐salt cheeses such as Domiati and feta are consumed. In addition to these functions, salt level has a major effect on cheese composition, microbial growth, enzymatic activities and biochemical changes, such as glycolysis, proteolysis, lipolysis and para‐casein hydration, that occur during ripening. Consequently, the salt level markedly influences cheese flavour and aroma, rheology and texture properties, cooking performance and, hence, overall quality. Many factors affect salt uptake and distribution in cheese and precise control of these factors is a vital part of the cheesemaking process to ensure consistent, optimum quality.