Rapid method for manufacture of grated parmesan cheese

摘要

In accordance with the method of the present invention, dried grated Parmesan cheese particles are manufactured from milk. The fat level of the milk is standardized to about 2.0 percent. The milk is subjected to membrane processing by ultrafiltration and diafiltration to provide a retentate. The retentate is then fermented with a combination of lactic acid cultures, a flavor culture, and a lipase enzyme. The fermentation is carried out at a temperature between about 90 and about 120°F. The fermented retentate is then evaporated to a solids level desired in the finished dry grated Parmesan cheese, which is generally in the range of from about 18 to about 24 percent moisture. A clotting agent is added to the fermented retentate immediately before the initiation of the evaporation step. Evaporation is preferably carried out in a drum drier under quiescent conditions. The Parmesan cheese is removed from the drum drier and is transferred to a disintegrator, such as a Fitz mill, to provide a grated Parmesan cheese product. The grated Parmesan cheese may be then blended with an anticaking material and an antimycotic material prior to packaging for consumer use without further aging or curing.