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'''Cheese''' is a solid food made from the milk of cows, goats, sheep, and other mammals. Cheese is made by curdling milk using a combination of [[rennet]] (or rennet substitutes) and acidification. Bacteria acidify the milk and play a role in defining the texture and flavor of most cheeses. Some cheeses also feature molds, either on the outer rind or throughout.
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{{Image|Cheese plate.jpg|right|350px|A variety of cheeses.}}
'''Cheese''' is a dairy product made from [[milk]] [[curd]]. Cheese is most commonly made from [[cow]]'s milk, but is also made from the milk of other [[mammal]]s such as [[sheep]], [[goats]], and [[buffalo]]. There are hundreds of varieties of cheese made throughout the world, all varying in texture and taste.  Cheese is frequently enjoyed by itself, as an ingredient in thousands of dishes, or, in some cultures, with a glass of [[wine]].


There are hundreds of types of cheese produced all over the world. Different styles and flavors of cheese are the result of using milk from various mammals or with different butterfat contents, employing particular species of [[bacteria]] and [[molds]], and varying the length of aging and other processing treatments. Other factors include animal diet and the addition of flavoring agents such as herbs, spices, or wood smoke. Whether the milk is pasteurized may also affect the flavor. The yellow to red coloring of many cheeses is a result of adding [[annatto]]. Cheeses are eaten both on their own and cooked as part of various dishes; most cheeses melt when heated.
==History==
There is no definitive answer as to when and where cheese originated.  The popular legend is that it was discovered by an Arab nomad who had filled his saddlebags with milk before embarking on a trip across the [[desert]].  The nomad was shocked when he opened his bags later to find his milk had separated into liquid and semisolid parts. The saddlebag was made from an animal stomach and contained the coagulating [[enzyme]] [[rennin]].  The rennin, coupled with the heat and the motion of the horse, caused the curds to separate from the [[whey]]. While there is nothing to verify this story, it is plausible that cheese was discovered in a similar manner.  Most likely it was first discovered in the [[Middle East]] and [[Central Asia]] prior to 6,000 BC. Cheesemaking was later enhanced in [[Ancient Rome|Rome]] and the knowledge was spread throughout [[Europe]] with their conquering legions.  The process was further developed in the [[Middle Ages]] in monasteries, creating many of the varieties of cheese we still enjoy today.


For a few cheeses, the [[milk]] is curdled by adding [[acids]] such as vinegar or lemon juice. Most cheeses, however, are acidified to a lesser degree by bacteria, which turn milk sugars into lactic acid, followed by the addition of rennet to complete the curdling. Rennet is an enzyme mixture traditionally obtained from the stomach lining of young cattle, but now also laboratory produced.
==Cheesemaking==
The first step in making cheese is acidification, which is the process of lowering the [[pH]] content of the milk.  This is done using a [[bacteria]]l culture known as a starter, such as ''[[Lactococcus lactis]]''.  The starter bacteria feeds on the [[lactose]] in the milk and as a result creates [[lactic acid]] which lowers the pH.  There are two basic types of starter bacteria; mesophilic bacteria which works best at room temperature and thermophilic bacteria which is better at higher temperatures.  The next step is to begin the coagulation process, which separates the milk into curds and whey.  [[Coagulation]] can occur during the acidification process, however it is common practice to use enzymes to ensure the curds develop with a lower moisture content while remaining soft.  These enzymes come from a substance known as [[rennet]] which is typically taken from the fourth stomach lining of calves.  The primary enzyme in rennet is [[chymosin]].  Chymosin causes [[casein]], the primary protein group in milk, to coagulate.  Today, most chymosin used in cheese making has been genetically engineered and is no longer taken from calves.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.ncbe.reading.ac.uk/NCBE/GMFOOD/chymosin.html
|title=National Centre for Biotechnology Education, Genetically modified food case studies, chymosin
|accessdate=2008-03-21
}}</ref>
 
When the coagulation process is complete, the curd is heated up and cut.  This is done to allow the whey to drain completely from the curd, leaving a substance known as hard curd.  Some whey is allowed to remain depending on the desired moisture content of the cheese.  Salt is added for flavoring and to prevent the growth of unwanted microbes.  The curds are then pressed together by hand or with a cheese press and then shaped as desired. At this point, some cheeses such as cottage cheese are in a finished, ready to eat state.  However, most cheeses are aged for a period of time and allowed to ripen.  There are many types of bacteria and time frames used to ripen the cheese, each of which determine the type of cheese being made.  During the ripening process, a rind is placed on the outside of the cheese.  This can occur naturally or artificially.
===Cheese derivatives===
The above process describes the basic natural process of cheesemaking. For a variety of reasons, a cheese may undergo additional industrial processing. The reasons range from making the food more stable, or to blend more easily as an ingredient, or to reduce cost by adding by-products. Their taste is not likely to be as refined as that of a carefully made artisanal cheese, but they may be adequate for their purposes, such as constituents of shelf-stable snack food.  


[[Category:Food Science Workgroup]]
Specific "standards of identity" are established by governmental bodies. Some representative terms include:<ref>Eat Wisconsin Cheese, "Cheese Glossary", [http://www.eatwisconsincheese.com/cheese/Glossary.aspx?fc=P]</ref>
*Cold Pack (Club Cheese): "A blend made from different batches of cheeses the same variety, or two or more varieties of mild and sharp natural cheese that have been ground (comminuted). Unlike processed cheese, Cold Pack is not heat-treated nor cooked at the time of packaging."
 
*Pasteurized Process Cheese is "A blend of fresh and aged, natural cheeses that have been shredded, mixed and heated (cooked) with an addition of an emulsifier salt, after which no further ripening occurs."
*Pasteurized Process Cheese Food: "A variation of Pasteurized Process cheese containing less fat and a higher moisture content. It differs from Process cheese in that either nonfat dry milk or whey solids and water have been added, thus reducing the percentage of actual cheese in the finished product."
*Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread: "A variation of Pasteurized Process cheese containing a higher moisture content and lower milkfat content than Process Cheese Food. A stabilizer is added to prevent separation of ingredients."
*Process Cheese (Pasteurized Process Cheese): "A blend of fresh and aged natural cheeses that have been shredded, mixed, and heated (cooked) with an addition of an emulsifier salt, after which no further ripening occurs."
 
==Serving and storage==
Around the globe, cheeses are served with any meal from [[breakfast]] to [[dessert]].  The flavor and texture of cheese make it best served at room temperature.  This can be achieved by removing the cheese from the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes prior to eating.  Fresh cheeses, such as [[cream cheese]], are the exception and should be enjoyed chilled.  Cheese should not be served pre-cut, as it will dry out quickly, rather it should be sliced as needed.
 
Most cheeses should be stored in the refrigerator, wrapped and stored in a loose fitting bag to keep moisture in.  Harder cheeses, such as [[Parmigiano-Reggiano]], can be stored safely for several weeks, while fresh cheeses will spoil in about a week because of their high moisture content.  Avoid storing with other potent aromatic foods as the cheese will absorb the odors and distort the taste.
 
==Nutrition==
Cheese contains a concentrated amount of the positive and negative benefits that are found in milk.  It is a good source of [[protein]], [[calcium]] and [[vitamin A]], while being high in [[fat]] and [[cholesterol]].  Nutritional content varies among cheeses and is a reflection of the type of the milk used in making it.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.idfa.org/facts/cheese/cf5.pdf
|title=International Dairy Foods Association - Cheese Nutrition Highlights
|accessdate=2008-03-23
}}</ref>
 
 
==Notes==
<references/>[[Category:Suggestion Bot Tag]]

Latest revision as of 12:00, 27 July 2024

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A variety of cheeses.

Cheese is a dairy product made from milk curd. Cheese is most commonly made from cow's milk, but is also made from the milk of other mammals such as sheep, goats, and buffalo. There are hundreds of varieties of cheese made throughout the world, all varying in texture and taste. Cheese is frequently enjoyed by itself, as an ingredient in thousands of dishes, or, in some cultures, with a glass of wine.

History

There is no definitive answer as to when and where cheese originated. The popular legend is that it was discovered by an Arab nomad who had filled his saddlebags with milk before embarking on a trip across the desert. The nomad was shocked when he opened his bags later to find his milk had separated into liquid and semisolid parts. The saddlebag was made from an animal stomach and contained the coagulating enzyme rennin. The rennin, coupled with the heat and the motion of the horse, caused the curds to separate from the whey. While there is nothing to verify this story, it is plausible that cheese was discovered in a similar manner. Most likely it was first discovered in the Middle East and Central Asia prior to 6,000 BC. Cheesemaking was later enhanced in Rome and the knowledge was spread throughout Europe with their conquering legions. The process was further developed in the Middle Ages in monasteries, creating many of the varieties of cheese we still enjoy today.

Cheesemaking

The first step in making cheese is acidification, which is the process of lowering the pH content of the milk. This is done using a bacterial culture known as a starter, such as Lactococcus lactis. The starter bacteria feeds on the lactose in the milk and as a result creates lactic acid which lowers the pH. There are two basic types of starter bacteria; mesophilic bacteria which works best at room temperature and thermophilic bacteria which is better at higher temperatures. The next step is to begin the coagulation process, which separates the milk into curds and whey. Coagulation can occur during the acidification process, however it is common practice to use enzymes to ensure the curds develop with a lower moisture content while remaining soft. These enzymes come from a substance known as rennet which is typically taken from the fourth stomach lining of calves. The primary enzyme in rennet is chymosin. Chymosin causes casein, the primary protein group in milk, to coagulate. Today, most chymosin used in cheese making has been genetically engineered and is no longer taken from calves.[1]

When the coagulation process is complete, the curd is heated up and cut. This is done to allow the whey to drain completely from the curd, leaving a substance known as hard curd. Some whey is allowed to remain depending on the desired moisture content of the cheese. Salt is added for flavoring and to prevent the growth of unwanted microbes. The curds are then pressed together by hand or with a cheese press and then shaped as desired. At this point, some cheeses such as cottage cheese are in a finished, ready to eat state. However, most cheeses are aged for a period of time and allowed to ripen. There are many types of bacteria and time frames used to ripen the cheese, each of which determine the type of cheese being made. During the ripening process, a rind is placed on the outside of the cheese. This can occur naturally or artificially.

Cheese derivatives

The above process describes the basic natural process of cheesemaking. For a variety of reasons, a cheese may undergo additional industrial processing. The reasons range from making the food more stable, or to blend more easily as an ingredient, or to reduce cost by adding by-products. Their taste is not likely to be as refined as that of a carefully made artisanal cheese, but they may be adequate for their purposes, such as constituents of shelf-stable snack food.

Specific "standards of identity" are established by governmental bodies. Some representative terms include:[2]

  • Cold Pack (Club Cheese): "A blend made from different batches of cheeses the same variety, or two or more varieties of mild and sharp natural cheese that have been ground (comminuted). Unlike processed cheese, Cold Pack is not heat-treated nor cooked at the time of packaging."
  • Pasteurized Process Cheese is "A blend of fresh and aged, natural cheeses that have been shredded, mixed and heated (cooked) with an addition of an emulsifier salt, after which no further ripening occurs."
  • Pasteurized Process Cheese Food: "A variation of Pasteurized Process cheese containing less fat and a higher moisture content. It differs from Process cheese in that either nonfat dry milk or whey solids and water have been added, thus reducing the percentage of actual cheese in the finished product."
  • Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread: "A variation of Pasteurized Process cheese containing a higher moisture content and lower milkfat content than Process Cheese Food. A stabilizer is added to prevent separation of ingredients."
  • Process Cheese (Pasteurized Process Cheese): "A blend of fresh and aged natural cheeses that have been shredded, mixed, and heated (cooked) with an addition of an emulsifier salt, after which no further ripening occurs."

Serving and storage

Around the globe, cheeses are served with any meal from breakfast to dessert. The flavor and texture of cheese make it best served at room temperature. This can be achieved by removing the cheese from the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes prior to eating. Fresh cheeses, such as cream cheese, are the exception and should be enjoyed chilled. Cheese should not be served pre-cut, as it will dry out quickly, rather it should be sliced as needed.

Most cheeses should be stored in the refrigerator, wrapped and stored in a loose fitting bag to keep moisture in. Harder cheeses, such as Parmigiano-Reggiano, can be stored safely for several weeks, while fresh cheeses will spoil in about a week because of their high moisture content. Avoid storing with other potent aromatic foods as the cheese will absorb the odors and distort the taste.

Nutrition

Cheese contains a concentrated amount of the positive and negative benefits that are found in milk. It is a good source of protein, calcium and vitamin A, while being high in fat and cholesterol. Nutritional content varies among cheeses and is a reflection of the type of the milk used in making it.[3]


Notes