A process for an efficient production of cheese or cheese base containing substantially all the casein and whey proteins which were originally present in the milk comprising four phases: (1) selective concentration of milk to form a concentrate; (2) increasing the ionic strength of the concentrate so as to maintain it in the liquid phase during fermenting; (3) fermenting the concentrate; and (4) removing water from the fermented concentrate to produce cheese or cheese base containing substantially all the casein and whey proteins originally present in the milk. The concentrates and fermented concentrates are unique intermediate products in that they do not coagulate during processing even at low pH's. The process permits an efficient evaporation of water from the fermented concentrate that is maintained in the liquid state. The process also avoids the possibility of losing whey proteins by totally eliminating syneresis.