Manufacture of large cheese blocks having reduced moisture variability

    公开(公告)号:US20060216373A1

    公开(公告)日:2006-09-28

    申请号:US11087981

    申请日:2005-03-23

    IPC分类号: A23C9/12

    CPC分类号: A23C19/072 A23C19/064

    摘要: The present invention is directed to a process for making a block of cheese having reduced moisture variability. A bulk container having a bottom and sidewalls, and a tube having a fill end and an opposite discharge end, are provided. The discharge end of the tube is positioned at an approximately central axial location of the container. Cheese curd is introduced into the container, and the tube via its fill end. Then, a chilled brine is introduced into the tube via its fill end to mix with curd therein. Preferably, the chilled brine has a salt content which approximately matches the salt content of the moisture phase of the cheese curd. The tube is removed from the cheese curd in the container. The cheese curd is pressed into a curd mass, and then cooled, and thereafter cured, providing a cheese block having reduced moisture variability.