Cornell University

Schreiber Foods, Inc.

Randall L Brandsma

Syed S H Rizvi

Lawrence I Bell

A method for fractionating or separating a cheese uses heat and mixing of the cheese to separate the cheese into three phases. The three phases include a butterfat phase, an aqueous phase, and a cheese product from which some fat and flavor have been removed. The process may be hastened by adding water, and may be further hastened by using enhanced gravitational forces to effect separation of the portions. The process may also be used to remove undesirable flavor components from the cheese or to make a dairy spread.

Cheese fractionating process

Microfiltration of skim milk is carried out in combination with in-process pH reduction to provide a retentate useful for cheese making which is concentrated to a concentration factor of 7&times; to 12&times; and contains a ratio of calcium to total protein which is desired for the cheese, and a permeate which contains 40 to 80% of the whey protein of the skim milk being processed which is highly functional and typically contains little or no casein. Composition containing highly functional whey protein with no measurable fat or casein and no glycomacropeptides, rennet or starter cultures can be obtained; fruit beverages are disclosed which contain this composition.

Microfiltration of skim milk for cheese making and whey proteins

Microfiltration of skim milk is carried out in combination with in-process pH reduction to provide a retentate useful for cheese making which is concentrated to a concentration factor of 7&times; to 12&times; and contains a ratio of calcium to total protein which is desired for the cheese, and a permeate which contains 40 to 80% of the whey protein of the skim milk being processed which is highly functional and typically contains little or no casein. Mozzarella cheese is made by admixing the retentate with milkfat, forming a homogenous cheesemilk, adding acidulant and/or starter culture, adding rennet, cubing, heating, draining drainable whey and forming the final cheese.

Growing community of inventors

Green Bay, WI, United States of America

Randall L Brandsma