NON-FAT DRY MILK PRODUCTION PROCESSES FOR CHEESEMAKING

NON-FAT DRY MILK PRODUCTION PROCESSES FOR

CHEESEMAKING

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] NOT APPLICABLE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Traditional methods of making mozzarella cheese typically start with pasteurizing cow's or buffalo's milk, adding cheese cultures, acidifying the milk to convert it into cheese milk, coagulating the cheese milk to obtain a coagulum, cutting the coagulum to obtain curds and whey, and separating the liquid whey from the solid cheese curd. The cheese curd is then heated, kneaded and stretched until it becomes a fibrous mass of heated, cheese. This fibrous mass of cheese may then be formed or extruded into a shape and cooled into a more rigid solid. The solid cheese can then be further processed depending on how the cheese will be used. For example if the cheese is being spread on pizza, the fibrous mass of heated cheese may be shaped into ribbons or blocks and cooled in brine. The cooled, hardened cheese may then be chopped into square or rectangular slabs that are supplied to dicing equipment, which cuts each slab into shredded cheese for pizza.

[0003] The process outlined above is commonly called the "pasta filata process." Variations of the process may be used to make a variety of cheeses, such as mozzarella variety cheeses (which include traditional mozzarella cheeses), provolone cheeses, scamorze cheeses, pasta filata cheeses, and cheeses used on pizza (i.e., pizza cheeses), among other types and classes of cheeses.

[0004] In traditional pasta filata cheesemaking, the quantity of cheese obtained from milk may be increased by adding non-fat dry milk (NFDM) to the fluid milk before coagulation occurs. In an alternative approach, NFDM may also be added before, during, or after the heating, kneading, and stretching steps. However, in this alternative approach the milk proteins in the NFDM lack some of the structural and textural qualities of milk proteins in the cheese curd that have been altered by the enzymatic action of rennet. Among other problems, the NFDM proteins do not impart any significant stiffness or structure to the final cheese product, making it more difficult to cut and shred. Thus, there is a need for new processes of making NFDM that give the milk proteins in the composition qualities that are more similar to the treated proteins in traditional cheese curd. These and other needs are addressed by the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Embodiments of the invention include methods of making a powdered dairy composition. The methods may include the steps of adding a sequestrant for calcium and rennet to a milk composition to make treated milk, and forming the treated milk into a milk powder. [0006] Embodiments of the invention also include methods of making a powdered dairy composition. The methods may include the step of adding a buffer compound to a fluid milk composition to give the milk composition a pH of about 5.5 or more. They may also include adding an oxidoreductase enzyme to the milk composition, and adding a sequestrant for calcium and rennet to the milk composition to make treated milk. The methods may further include forming the treated milk into a milk powder.

[0007] Embodiments of the invention may still further include methods of making a cheese product. The methods may include the steps of forming a cheese curd into a homogeneous cheese mass, mixing a dairy powder into the homogeneous cheese mass, forming the homogeneous cheese mass into a shape, and cooling the homogeneous cheese mass and forming the cheese product. The dairy powder may be made by adding a sequestrant and rennet to a fluid milk composition to make treated milk, and drying the treated milk to form the dairy powder.

[0008] Embodiments of the invention may yet further include methods of making a cheese product. The methods may include the steps of providing a slurry, mixing a dairy powder, -and optionally other ingredients- into the slurry, combining the slurry with a cheese precursor to form an admixture, and processing the admixture to form the cheese product. The dairy powder may be made by adding a sequestrant and rennet to a fluid milk composition to make treated milk, and drying the treated milk to form the dairy powder.

[0009] Embodiments of the invention may also include additional methods of making a cheese product. The methods may include the steps of providing a slurry, mixing a dairy powder -and optionally other ingredients- into the slurry, combining the slurry with a cheese precursor to form an admixture, processing the admixture to form the cheese product. The dairy powder may be made by adding a buffer, an oxidoreductase enzyme, a sequestrant and rennet to a fluid milk composition to make treated milk, and drying the treated milk to form the dairy powder.

[0010] Embodiments of the invention may yet further include powdered non-fat dry milk products. The products may include one or more milk proteins that have been enzymatically altered, where the enzymatically altered proteins are not coagulated. The products may also include one or more sequestrants to bind calcium ions in the powdered product.

[0011] Additional embodiments and features are set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the specification or may be learned by the practice of the invention. The features and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities, combinations, and methods described in the specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the drawings wherein like reference numerals are used throughout the several drawings to refer to similar components. In some instances, a sublabel is associated with a reference numeral and follows a hyphen to denote one of multiple similar components. When reference is made to a reference numeral without specification to an existing sublabel, it is intended to refer to all such multiple similar components.

[0013] Fig. 1 shows a simplified flowchart of steps for making treated NFDM according to embodiments of the invention;

[0014] Fig. 2 shows a flowchart of steps for making a NFDM product with decreased levels of reducing sugars;

[0015] Fig. 3 shows another flowchart of steps for making treated NFDM with decreased levels of reducing sugars according to embodiments of the invention;

[0016] Fig. 4 shows a simplified flowchart illustrating steps of adding treated NFDM powder at various stages of pasta filata processes according to embodiments of the invention; [0017] Fig. 5 shows a simplified flowchart illustrating steps of adding a slurry contaning treated NFDM at various stages of pasta filata processes according to embodiments of the invention;

[0018] Fig. 6 shows a flowchart of process steps carried out in an experimental process for making treated NFDM according to embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Methods of making non-fat dry milk (NFDM) compositions are described in which one or more milk proteins in the composition (e.g., casein) have been enzymatically altered by clotting enzymes such as chymosin, the main clotting enzyme in calf rennet. Two types of protein are observed in milk: (1) the globular whey proteins, which are soluble in the whey phase; and (2) caseins, which are phosphoproteins that exist as a stable colloidal suspension. In cow's milk, the caseins include four distinct gene products designated α_si-, (X_s2-, β-, and K- caseins. Collectively they can account for about 80% of the milk proteins, and are found in the approximate concentration ratio of 4: 1 :4: 1 ot_st-casein to oc^-casein to β-casein to κ-casein. A distinguishing feature of κ-casein is that it is glycosylated and almost completely lacks phosphoseryl residues along its sequence. κ-casein can also remain soluble at Ca ion concentrations as high as about 15mM and prevents calcium ion induced precipitation reactions of the other casein types, producing instead a colloidal suspension. The other casein molecules (e.g., OC_s1-, (X_s2-, β- caseins) are much more sensitive to calcium induced precipitation.

[0020] Cheese making steps (e.g., coagulation into curds and whey) utilize the calcium sensitive destabilizing mechanisms built into the colloidal system by, for example, using the natural clotting enzyme chymosin. Chymosin hydrolyzes κ-casein at the Phe₁₀₅-Met₁₀₆ bond allowing the exposed, calcium sensitive colloidal cores ((X_si-, (X_s2-, β-, caseins) to start aggregating once an adequate amount of the κ-casein has been hydrolyzed. Aggregation leads to larger and larger clusters until ultimately the arrangement achieves a solid-like gel structure. Experimental evidence shows that κ-casein can be about 60-80% (even up to about 90%) hydrolyzed before significant aggregation and gel formation may occur. Environmental factors influencing the rate and extent of chymosin induced aggregation and gelation include temperature, and calcium ion (Ca²⁺) concentration, among other factors. [0021] In methods of the present invention, the calcium ion concentration in the milk may be controlled by calcium sequestrants. Milk in which sequestrants have bound the ionic calcium may then be treated with chymosin and/or other coagulants. The activity of chymosin progresses unimpeded as it proceeds to hydrolyze the Phe_lθ5-Metio₆ bond. However, even with the hydrolysis of substantially all the κ-casein and exposure of the calcium sensitive O_s1-, OC_s2-, β-casein colloidal cores, aggregation does not occur to any appreciable extent. A gel structure is not formed. Moreover, this "anti-coagulation" procedure may be easily reversed, allowing a controlled and almost instantaneous coagulation to occur. [0022] When the NFDM powder with the chymosin-altered proteins is subsequently added to milk, cheese curd, cheese admixture, fibrous cheese mass, etc. , during one or more stages of a pasta filata process, the environmental conditions may permit the proteins to coagulate. For example, if the treated NFDM is introduced to an acidic environment with sufficiently low pH, the sequestrant bound calcium ions may be released from the sequestrant. The freed calcium may then facilitate the coagulation of the treated proteins. In additional examples, the treated NFDM may be introduced to an environment that already has a calcium ion concentration high enough to supply the calcium needed for coagulation, or alternatively calcium ions may be added so as to induce coagulation.

[0023] When the treated NFDM coagulates in the presence of free calcium ions, it imparts texture and structural characteristics to the cheese. For example, the coagulated NFDM increases the stiffness of the cooled cheese to make it easier to dice, cut and/or shred. Because the time consuming step of altering the protein structure with rennet has already occurred, the calcium initiated coagulation of the treated NFDM occurs rapidly. This allows a treated NFDM powder or slurry to be added at any stage of a pasta filata process, including additions before, during, and following the heating, kneading and stretching steps.

[0024] Referring now to Fig. 1, a flowchart illustrating selected steps for a method 100 of making treated NFDM according to embodiments of the invention is shown. The method 100 includes providing whole milk 102, which includes a mixture of native milk fats, proteins (e.g., casein) and carbohydrates (e.g., reducing sugars). The fats may then be separated from the whole milk into low (or no) fat skim milk 104 and cream 106 that is concentrated with milk fats. The cream 106 may be further processed into cream products 108 such as sweet cream, butter, plastic cream, and anhydrous milk fat. A portion of the cream 106 may also be used to provide the fat in the low- fat milk powder 118 and whole milk powder 120.

[0025] The skim milk 104 may be processed into condensed skim milk 109 and/or milk protein concentrates 111 using conventional techniques. Either before or after the skim milk 104 is converted into the condensed skim milk 109 or the milk protein concentrates 111, a sequestrant 112 may be added that binds to the free calcium ions in the milk products. Alternatively, the sequestrant 112 may be added to the skim milk 104 directly. The sequestrant 112 may include one or more compounds such as disodium diphosphate, trisodium diphosphate, tetrasodium diphosphate, dipotassium diphosphate, tetrapotassium diphosphste, dimagnesium diphosphate, pentasodium triphosphate, pentapotassium triphosphate, sodium polyphosphate, potassium polyphosphate, ammonium polyphosphate, potassium tripolyphosphate, disodium phosphate, dipotassium phosphate, citric acid, lactobionic acid, phosphoric acid, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, sodium metaphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, tripotassium phosphate, trisodium citrate, trisodium phosphate, tripotassium citrate, disodium pyrophosphate, disodium ethyyeneaminetetraacetate, sodium gluconate, sodium lactobionate, and/or sodium potassium tripolyphosphate, among other sequestrants. The sequestrant 112 may be added to the milk as a powder, liquid, or aqueous solution.

[0026] Rennet 114 is also added to the pasteurized skim milk 110. Embodiments include adding the rennet 114 before the sequestrant 112, simultaneously with the sequestrant 112, or after the sequestrant 112 has been added. The rennet 114 used may be any commercially available rennet for cheesemaking, such as rennet derived from animal sources (e.g., veal rennet) and non-animal sources (e.g., rennet derived from Aspergillus niger).

[0027] When the rennet 114 is added to the skim milk whose free calcium ion concentration has been reduced by sequestrant 112 it is still able to enzymatically alter the native milk proteins. For example, chymosin enzymes in the rennet can still catalyze the conversion of κ-casein proteins in the skim milk to curd protein precursors (e.g., paracasein micelles). However, the reduced levels of free calcium ions prevent the coagulation of the curd protein precursors into a curd coagulum. [0028] The skim milk 110 may be stirred to homogenize the concentration of sequestrant 112 and rennet 114 through the volume of the treated milk. However, the degree of stirring and mechanical agitation of the treated milk may be set below a level where curd coagulation is prevented by mechanical means. It may also be set to a level that maintains the rennet catalyzed protein products (e.g., whey proteins and curd precursors) as a homogenous mixture. Thus, embodiments of the invention include stirring the treated milk mixture to a degree that maintains the homogeneity of the altered milk proteins, and does not result in the separation of the whey proteins from the curd precursor proteins. This may be contrasted with the production of whey depleted rennet casein, which does not use sequestants, and typically uses a high level of continuous agitation to separate curds from the whey protein and prevent the curd from forming a single coagulum.

[0029] When the skim milk has been fully treated with the sequestrant 112 and rennet 114 to form a mixture that includes whey proteins and uncoagulated curd proteins (e.g., paracaseins), the water may be removed to form treated NFDM 116. The water removal may be accomplished in a single evaporation step, or may involve a plurality of steps that include concentrating the skim milk by (for example) filtration to separate an aqueous permeate from a protein concentrate retentate, and spray drying the protein concentrate retentate to form a treated NFDM protein concentrate powder. The powder may then be used in cheesemaking processes.

[0030] The powder may also be used as a low-fat milk powder 118 that can be reconstituted back into milk. It may also be combined with dairy fats from, for example, the cream initially separated from the whole milk 102 to make a whole milk powder 120. [0031] Additional embodiments of the invention include methods of making NFDM powders that also have fewer reducing sugars as a result of additional enzymatic treatments of the milk. For example, Fig. 2 shows a flowchart of steps in a method 200 for making a NFDM product with decreased levels of reducing sugars. The method 200 starts with separating whole milk 202 into skim milk 204 and cream 206. The cream 206 may be sold as a stand alone product or used to make cream products 208, such as sweet cream. A portion of the cream 106 may also be used to provide the fat in the low- fat milk powder 220 and whole milk powder 222.

[0032] The skim milk 204 may be heated to make pasteurized skim milk 210, which may be processed into condensed skim milk 209 and/or milk protein concentrates 211 using conventional techniques. Either before or after the skim milk 204 is converted into the condensed skim milk 209 or the milk protein concentrates 211, the products may be treated with a buffer compound 212, oxygen 214, and enzymes 216 to lower the concentration of reducing sugars in the milk. Alternatively, the buffer compound 212, oxygen 214, and enzymes 216 may be added to the skim milk 204 directly. The enzymes 216 are oxidoreductase enzymes (e.g., hexose oxidase, glucose oxidase, galactose oxidase, pyranose oxidase, and lactose oxidase, catalase, etc.) that enzymatically convert reducing sugars present in the milk (e.g., glucose, galactose, lactose, and other saccharides having an unsubstituted anomeric center) into aldobionate products (e.g., non-reducing sugars and other lactobionate compounds, etc.).

[0033] The catalytic activity of the oxidoreductase enzymes may be increased by mixing oxygen 214 and/or adjusting the pH of the milk product with a buffer compound 212 (e.g., calcium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, ammonium carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium hydroxide, magnesium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, aqueous ammonia, etc.). The oxygen may be supplied by pumping compressed air and/or pure oxygen into the milk, and/or by the catalytic reaction of an oxygen precursor (e.g., hydrogen peroxide) with a catalase enzyme. Additional details about processes to catalytically lower the concentration of reducing sugars in milk and milk derivatives (e.g., milk filtrates and permeates, milk separates, etc.) can be found in co-assigned U.S. Patent App. Ser. No. 11/176,634 to Merrill et al, filed July 6, 2005 and titled "FOOD INGREDIENTS AND FOOD PRODUCTS TREATED WITH AN OXIDOREDUCTASE AND METHODS FOR PREPARING SUCH FOOD INGREDIENTS AND FOOD PRODUCTS" the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.

[0034] After a portion (e.g., substantially all) of the reducing sugars have been converted into non-reducing sugar compounds, the milk may be made into a non-fat dry milk product 218. The NFDM 218 may be formed by removing the water from the aqueous skim milk solution. The water removal may be accomplished in a single evaporation step, or may involve a plurality of steps that include concentrating the skim milk by (for example) filtration to separate an aqueous permeate from a protein concentrate retentate, and spray drying the protein concentrate retentate to form the NFDM 218 into a powder. The powder may then be used in cheesemaking processes. [0035] The powder with the reduced amount of reducing sugars may also be used as a low- fat milk powder 220 that can be reconstituted back into milk with the addition of water. It may also be combined with dairy fats from, for example, the cream 206 initially separated from the whole milk 202 to make a whole milk powder 222.

[0036] The methods described above for making rennet treated NFDM and NFDM with decreased amounts of reducing sugars may be combined into a method 300 shown in Fig. 3 for making a rennet treated NFDM with decreased amounts of reducing sugars. The method 300 may start with separating whole milk 302 into skim milk 304 and cream 306. The cream 306 may be further processed into cream products 308 such as sweet cream. A portion of the cream 106 may also be used to provide the fat in the low- fat milk powder 324 and whole milk powder 326. [0037] The skim milk 304 may be heated to make pasteurized skim milk 310, which may be processed into condensed skim milk 309 and/or milk protein concentrates 311 using conventional techniques. Either before or after the skim milk 304 is converted into the condensed skim milk 309 or the milk protein concentrates 311, the products may be treated with compounds to decrease the concentration of reducing sugars in the milk (e.g., buffer compound 312, oxygen 314, and enzymes 316) and compounds which alter the structure of the native milk proteins (e.g., sequestrant 318 and rennet 320). These compounds may be added all at once, or in a sequential order. Alternatively, compounds may be added directly to the skim milk 304.

[0038] When the reducing sugars are reduced and the milk proteins altered by the rennet, the treated milk may be made into a treated non-fat dry milk product 322. The treated NFDM 322 may be formed by removing the water from the aqueous treated milk solution. Water removal may be accomplished in a single evaporation step, or may involve a plurality of steps that include concentrating the treated skim milk by (for example) filtration to separate an aqueous permeate from a protein concentrate retentate, and spray drying the protein concentrate retentate to form the NFDM 322 into a powder that may be used in cheesemaking processes.

[0039] The treated NFDM powder may be used as a low-fat milk powder 324 that can be reconstituted back into milk with the addition of water. It may also be combined with dairy fats from, for example, the cream initially separated from the whole milk 302 to make a whole milk powder 326.

[0040] It has been unexpectedly observed that when skim milk is treated with buffers (e.g., aqueous ammonia) and subsequently added oxygen and enzymes such as lactose oxidase to eliminate reducing sugars, no additional sequestrant is required to inhibit the aggregation of the rennet treated caseins. While not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that when aqueous ammonia is used lactobionic acid, rather than ammonium lactobionate, is formed. The lactobionic acid may be acting as a sequestrant to bind the ionic calcium, and thus preventing the aggregation of rennet treated caseins. The thereby treated NFDM is then concentrated and dried and, upon resolubilization and liberation of the bound calcium or addition of calcium, the rennet treated casein instantly coagulates.

[0041] As noted above, the treated NFDM (either with or without reduced levels of reducing sugars) may be added as an ingredient during cheesemaking. For example, Fig. 4 shows a simplified flowchart illustrating steps in a method 400 of adding treated NFDM powder at various stages of pasta filata processes according to embodiments of the invention. The method 400 may include the steps of pasteurizing milk 402 and acidifying the pasteurized milk 404. Rennet may be added to the acidified milk to convert the native milk proteins into whey and curds that form a mass of coagulated curd 406. The coagulated curd and whey protein may then be separated 408 by, for example, cutting curds and draining the liquid whey protein from the curd mass.

[0042] When the curd and whey are separated, embodiments of method 400 may include adding a powder that includes treated NFDM 418 to the curd. The treated NFDM may include rennet treated milk proteins, including whey proteins (e.g., β-lactoglobulin, α- lactalbumin, serum albumin, immunoglobulins, etc.), and curd proteins that have not fully coagulated. The treated NFDM may or may not include reducing sugars such as glucose, galactose, lactose, etc.

[0043] Following separation step 408, the curds (which may also include treated NFDM powder) may be heated, kneaded and stretched into a fibrous cheese mass 410. A powder including the treated NFDM may be added 418 during the stage, and/or after the heating, kneading and stretching step 410 and before the cheese mass is shaped 412 into, for example, a ribbon. Additional details on how dry powder ingredients may be added to cheese during a pasta filata cheese making process are described in co-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,902,625 to Barz et al, titled "PROCESS OF MAKING A SOFT OR SEMI-SOFT FIBROUS CHEESE", the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.

[0044] As noted above, when the treated NFDM powder is added to the curd or cheese mass, the conditions are such that calcium ion concentrations are high enough to cause the renneted milk proteins to coagulate. In some instances, the calcium ions are supplied (at least in part) by the release of bound calcium from sequestrants in the treated NFDM powder. The calcium ions are released from these sequestrants when the pH drops to a sufficiently low level for the sequestrant used (e.g., about 5.0 to about 6.4). [0045] In additional instances, the calcium ions are supplied by adding a source of these ions to the curds or cheese with the treated NFDM powder (e.g., by adding calcium chloride, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate; organic calcium salts like calcium citrate, calcium lactate, calcium lactate gluconate, calcium gluconate, calcium lactobionate, etc., either as solid powders or aqueous solutions, to the curds and/or cheese mass). A drop of about 33% or more of the original calcium ion concentration is believed to completely inhibit the coagulation of renneted milk proteins. Thus, raising the free calcium ion concentration to about 67% or more of its original concentration in fresh milk may start the coagulation. For example, additional calcium may be added to achieve a free calcium ion concentration of about 0.01 %wt. to about 2.0% wt. [0046] As the renneted milk proteins coagulate, they impart additional structure to the curd or fibrous cheese mass. This structure can increase the firmness, elasticity, and cohesiveness of the cheese formed by shaping the cheese mass 412 and cooling the shaped cheese 414. For example, a cheese mass containing the coagulated proteins may be shaped 412 into a cheese ribbon having a width of about 6 inches to about 36 inches, and a thickness of about 0.25 inches to about 3 inches. The soft ribbon may be conveyed through a cooling system such as brine that cools 414 and stiffens the cheese. As the cooled ribbon emerges from the cooling system, it may be cut 416 into rectangular cheese palates (e.g., about 12 inches to 24 inches long). The palates may then be stacked and transported to systems that shred, cut, dice, etc., the cheese into smaller sizes (e.g., shredded cheese for pizza). The coagulation of the treated NFDM imparts additional structure and firmness that makes the cheese easer to form into a diced and/or shredded final cheese product.

[0047] The treated NFDM may also be added in a slurry to the curd or fibrous cheese mass. For example, Fig. 5 shows a simplified flowchart illustrating steps of a method 500 for adding a slurry containing treated NFDM at various stages of pasta filata processes according to embodiments of the invention. Similar to Fig. 4, method 500 may include the steps of pasteurizing milk 502, acidifying the milk 504 and adding rennet and other ingredients to coagulate a portion of the milk proteins into curds and whey 506. The solid curds are separated from the whey 508, and the curds may be heated, kneaded and stretched into a fibrous cheese mass 510.

[0048] Before, during, or immediately following the heating/kneading/stretching step 510, a liquid slurry that includes treated NFDM may be added 520 to the curds and/or fibrous cheese mass. For example, the slurry containing the treated NFDM may be added to the curds before they enter step 510. The slurry may be poured and/or sprayed onto the curds, and may be mixed into the curds before they are heated, kneaded and stretched. Slurry may be added at some point as the curds are heated, kneaded and stretched into a fibrous cheese mass. Slurry may also be added to the fibrous cheese mass before it is shaped 512 into a shaped cheese mass. The slurry may be added to the curds and/or fibrous cheese mass at a plurality of these points in the cheese making process.

[0049] The slurry may be prepared by providing NFDM powder 118 to one or more additional ingredients in a liquid (e.g., an aqueous solution). These additional ingredients may include, for example, one or more of untreated nonfat dry milk, milk protein (e.g., additional whey proteins), acidity regulators, acids, anti caking agents, anti-foaming agents, coloring agents, emulsifiers, enzymes and/or enzyme preparations, flavoring agents, firming agents, food proteins, gelling agents, preservatives, sequestrants, stabilizers, starches, thickeners, oils, fats, cheese powders, salts (e.g., calcium salts), nutritional supplements, neutraceuticals, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and other generally recognized as safe (GRAS) food ingredients, among other ingredients. The additional ingredients may include ingredients that initiate the coagulation of the treated NFDM (e.g., calcium salts, acids that lower the pH to a point where sequestrant bound calcium is released, etc.). Additional details about preparing a slurry may be found in co-assigned U.S. Pat App No. 11/121,537, titled "CHEESE AND METHODS OF MAKING SUCH CHEESE"; U.S. Pat App No. 11/122,283, titled "BLENDED CHEESES AND METHOD FOR MAKING SUCH CHEESES"; and U.S. Pat App No. 11/121,398, titled "METHODS FOR MAKING SOFT OR FIRM/SEMI-HARD RIPENED AND UNRIPENED CHEESE AND CHEESES PREPARED BY SUCH METHDOS", all three applications being filed on May 3, 2005, and all three herein incorporated by reference in their entireties for all purposes. [0050] Following the addition of the treated NFDM slurry to the curds and/or fibrous cheese mass, the cheese maybe shaped 512, cooled 514 and cut 516 into a final cheese product. For example, the cheese mass containing the coagulated proteins may be shaped 512 into a soft cheese ribbon, block, or string cheese that is conveyed through a cooling system such as a brine belt that cools 414 and stiffens the cheese. As the cooled ribbon emerges from the cooling system, it maybe cut 516 into cheese palates and transported to systems that shred, cut, dice, etc., the cheese into smaller sizes (e.g., shredded cheese for pizza). The coagulation of the treated NFDM imparts additional structure and firmness that makes the cheese easer to form into a diced and/or shredded final cheese product.

EXPERIMENTAL

[0051] Fig. 6 shows a flowchart of process steps carried out in an experimental process for making treated NFDM according to embodiments of the invention. The experimental process produced a 35% (w/w) reconstituted non-fat dry milk (NFDM) solution (50 lbs) by combining 18.19 lbs of Grade A low heat NFDM powder having 96.2% in dry matter and 33.4% in protein (obtained from Dairy America, Fresno, CA) with 31.81 lbs of water at 125 °F, using a mechanical mixer with controlled mixing speed.

[0052] The combined solution was cooled to 45 °F and 0.067 lbs of sodium phosphate was added over a 10 minute mixing period. A microbial rennet (CHY-MAX™ Ultra, 0.0525 lbs), diluted 10-fold with chilled water, was also added to the solution with gentle agitation for 10 minutes. The solution was incubated at cold temperature (T <= 45 °F) with no agitation for 24 hours.

[0053] After a reaction time with the rennet for 24 hours, there was no coagulation (gelling) observed. Agitation was started, followed by spray drying of the NFDM liquid to obtain the Treated NFDM powder. The Treated NFDM powder was re-hydrated to a solution (TS = 20%) and warmed to 92 °F. The addition of 0.1% calcium or 0.5% acid caused the rehydrated NFDM solution to coagulate and form a firm cheese curd.

[0054] Having described several embodiments, it will be recognized by those of skill in the art that various modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. Additionally, a number of well-known processes and elements have not been described in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. Accordingly, the above description should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. [0055] Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limits of that range is also specifically disclosed. Each smaller range between any stated value or intervening value in a stated range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included or excluded in the range, and each range where either, neither or both limits are included in the smaller ranges is also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included.

[0056] As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a process" includes a plurality of such processes and reference to "the electrode" includes reference to one or more electrodes and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth.

[0057] Also, the words "comprise," "comprising," "include," "including," and "includes" when used in this specification and in the following claims are intended to specify the presence of stated features, integers, components, or steps, but they do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, components, steps, acts, or groups.