Tempering of dairy emulsions: Partial coalescence and whipping properties

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of applying a time–temperature profile to natural and recombined cream to influence partial coalescence and, consequently, the whipping quality. To date, no clear relationship exists between the consequences of tempering on a microstructural level, partial coalescence, and whipping properties. Milk fat crystallisation was analysed using differential scanning calorimetry and the internal arrangement of fat crystals was visualised with cryo-scanning electron microscopy. Shear-induced partial coalescence and whipping properties were studied. Shear-induced partial coalescence was promoted, attributed to the observed changes in the fat crystal network. The effects on whipping properties were different for natural and recombined cream and thus dependent upon the interfacial composition. Consolidation of the partially coalesced fat droplet network by tempering increased the stability of whipped recombined cream during cold storage. Tempering is a promising tool to alter the susceptibility to partial coalescence by changing the internal fat crystal network, and influencing whippability.