ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF CHEESEMAKING - DECIDING WHICH STARTER CULTURES TO USE
Introduction
Properly using and maintaining starter cultures is crucial to producing consistently good cheese.
Culture selection, use, distribution, monitoring, implementing and maintaining a rotation program plus technical support from your supplier are all very important aspects to keep in mind.
Other factors that can determine the type of starter culture to use can be proteolytic activity, salt sensitivity, acid development, culture format i.e. single strain / defined multiple strains, freeze dried direct vat inoculum, frozen direct vat inoculum, bulk cultures.
A serious challenge also comes in the form of bacteriophage contamination - refer to the article available on the importance of starter culture rotation.
** Refer to the article attached for more information on how to decide which type of starter culture would be best to use for your specific circumstances.
Related Articles
THE IMPORTANCE OF ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING A STARTER CULTURE ROTATION PROGRAM
Introduction The goal of every cheesemaker is to make consistent, quality cheese. However, given all the variables that go into cheesemaking, it can be very challenging. Properly using and maintaining starter culture is crucial to producing good ...
UNDERSTANDING AND PREVENTING BACTERIOPHAGE
Introduction Bacterial viruses, known as bacteriophage or phage, have the ability to infect bacteria in cheese, including the starter culture, leading to bacterial lysis and consequently, the loss of necessary lactic acid production. While there are ...
IMPORTANCE OF ACID DEVELOPMENT IN CHEESE MILK PRIOR TO RENNETING
Introduction Many of the undesirable body or textural attributes seen in cheeses can be traced back to inadequate pH development prior to rennet addition, or excessive proteolysis due to prolonged aging. Cheese plants often monitor the acid ...
ACHIEVING CONSISTENT FLAVOUR DEVELOPMENT WITH THE USE OF ADJUNCT CULTURES
Introduction One of the biggest challenges in cheesemaking is consistently manufacturing high-quality cheese with the same consistent flavour profiles / notes, functional and sensory attributes - every choice that a cheesemaker makes during the ...
CONFRONTING THE CHALLENGE OF LOW SALT CHEESE
Introduction Reducing the sodium chloride content in cheese presents particular challenges since salt has many roles in cheese. Cheesemakers use it to maintain expected flavour, body, texture and shelf life by controlling the activities of enzymes ...