Dairy product and process

Abstract

The invention process provides a novel process of making cheese comprising the production of a coagulum which is caused to disaggregate into small curd particles in an in-line continuous flow process, separation of the curd particles from the whey and subsequent heating and mechanical working of the curd particles into a cheese mass.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A process of making cheese comprising steps of:
 a) adding a coagulating agent to a starting milk under conditions of temperature time and coagulating agent concentration, which suppresses the formation of a coagulum;   b) passing the milk of step a) along a flow path and adjusting the pH where necessary to between 4.0 and 6.0 by adding an acidulent;   c) cooking the milk of step b) at a temperature which allows the formation of coagulated curd particles .within the flow;   d) separating the coagulated curd particles from the whey liquid;   e) heating and mechanically working the curd particles into a cheese mass at a temperature of 50 to 90° C.; and   f) shaping and cooling the cheese.