Feature Article

Cheese and Analogues

Andrew Yap Kian Chung*

ABSTRACT as surfactants forming micelles around the particles of and the negative surface ilk consists about 87% water and charges keeps the milk in liquid emulsion 13% total solids of which 4% is state. Each fat globule is surrounded by a fat, 3.4% protein, 4.8% lactose and membrane consisting of phospholipids and 0.8% minerals such as calcium, magnesium, proteins. The fat soluble vitamins A, D, E etc. Milk and milk products have been consumed and K are found within the fat portion of as since prehistoric days. Cheese-making the milk (McGee, 2004). Table 1 shows the was discovered accidentally in Iraq where it typical nutritional values of cow’s milk. If was initially developed. The cheese yield via the pH level of the milk decreases, amino Macidification of lactic acid produced by bacteria acids at the surface of the proteins begin during milk or rennet coagulation losing its charge and become neutral, or combination of both is about 11% to 15%. turning the fat micelles from hydrophilic Cheese varieties are classified by their hardness to hydrophobic state causing the liquid to which varies according to their moisture coagulate. contents. The increasing price trend of cheese is now encouraging the manufacture of Cheese is a generic term assigned for a cheese analogues as an effective alternative for nutritious food made from coagulation of the culinary industry. The principal fatty acids mostly dairy milk protein casein since about found in milk triglycerides suggest that palm oil 4000 years ago. Cheese is now produced could be used as a butterfat substitute in cheese throughout the world in wide ranging analogue formulation. flavours, textures and forms depending on the origin of the milk including the animal’s INTRODUCTION diet, the butterfat content, pasteurisation and the microorganism used, the processing Milk is an emulsion or a colloid of butterfat and aging. Herbs, spices or wood smoke globules within a water-based fluid the may be used as flavouring agents. The molecular structure of which is shown in yellow to red colour of many is Figure 1. Protein molecules in the milk act changed by adding annatto to cheese. Most cheeses melt at cooking temperatures. , cheddar and mozzarella are * Malaysian Palm Oil Board, P. O. Box 10620, some of the well-known types of cheese 50720 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. E-mail: [email protected] (Barbara, 1981).

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Although milk could be curdled by the soft cheese before the pressed cheese adding acids such as vinegar or lemon is dried and stored for aging for several juice to produce a few types of cheese, months (Jenkins, 1996). most cheeses are produced from lactic acid bacteria by anaerobic homolactic Cheese is valued for its potability, long fermentation at about 23°C which turn shelf-life, high content of fat, protein, milk into lactic acid as shown in calcium and phosphorus. Cheese makers the reaction below. This is then followed near a dairy region may benefit from fresh, by the addition of the enzyme rennet low priced milk and low shipping costs. The originally made from calf stomachs to long storage life of some cheese especially produce a harder curdling (Anestis, 2006). if it is encased in a protective rind, allows The process requires several ripening steps selling when markets are favourable. The at lower temperatures and a curd cooking first American cream cheese was made in step at a higher temperature because both Chester, New York by dairyman William the bacteria and rennet can be destroyed by Lawrence in 1872. The city Philadelphia was temperature. considered to be the home of top quality food in the USA and was adopted as the Anaerobic (1) C12H22O11 + H2O ⎯⎯⎯⎯→ 4C3H6O3 brand name in 1880 and it remains the most widely recognised brand of cream cheese. Vegetarian rennet is mostly produced The company was eventually bought over by the fermentation of the fungus Mucor by Kraft in 1928 (Kraft, 2010). miehei, but some have been extracted from various species of the Cynara thistle family. The following simple recipe for producing a delicious small curd cottage Hard cheese requires curds pressed in a cheese that resembles ricotta is excellent for cheese press to drain off more water than use in Italian dishes such as lasagne.

Figure 1. Typical colloid molecule structure (schematic).

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TABLE 1. USDA DATABASE FOR NUTRITIONAL VALUE PER 100 g OF COW’S MILK (whole)

Energy 252 kJ Carbohydrates (lactose) 5.26 g Fat 3.25 g • Saturated 1.865 g • Monounsaturated 0.812 g • Polyunsaturated 0.195 g Protein 3.22 g • Tryptophan 0.075 g • Threonine 0.143 g • Isoleucine 0.165 g • Leucine 0.265 g • Lysine 0.140 g • Methionine 0.075 g • Cystine 0.017 g • Phenylalanine 0.147 g • Tyrosine 0.152 g • Valine 0.192 g • Arginine 0.075 g • Histidine 0.075 g • Alanine 0.103 g • Aspartic acid 0.237 g • Glutamic acid 0.648 g • Glycine 0.075 g • Proline 0.342 g • Serine 0.107 g Water 88.32 g Vitamin A equivalence 28 μg

Thiamine (vitamin B1) 0.044 mg

Riboflavin (vitamin 2B ) 0.183 mg

Vitamin B12 0.44 μg Vitamin D 40 IU Calcium 113 mg Magnesium 10 mg Potassium 143 mg Sodium 43 mg Density 1030 kg m-3

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Ingredients: Since the price of milk which is the main ingredient of cheese recently rose 4 litres of fresh milk, 150 ml of vinegar significantly, the price of cheese also rose and 1 g of salt. in tandem with the milk. Figure 2 shows the wholesale price trend for mozzarella Method: cheese which is one of the main ingredients in baking (Brian Gould, 2011). Heat the milk to about 90°C followed Thus, cheap cheese analogues need to be by the addition of vinegar. Allow the developed to satisfy the culinary demand mixture to cool to room temperature of especially in low per caita income countries. about 28°C and pour it into a colander to drain off the whey. Transfer the curds Cheese analogues into a bowl, sprinkle salt and mix well. Cheese analogues or cheese substitutes Dairy Cheese Price Trend are available as cheese counterparts in most nations in Asia. They are made The calculated world market price for from soyabeans, rice, almonds, nutritional milk ranged between USD 10 per tonne yeast and other non-dairy products. to USD 25 per tonne during the period These products are usually consumed 1981 to 2005. However, it increased rapidly due to certain dietary preferences, such by 75% to more than USD 45 per tonne in as , religious restrictions 2007 as a result of the demand for skimmed such as kosher (fulfilling the requirements milk powder (SMP) and butter from USD of Jewish law) or halal requirements and 1000 per tonne and USD 2000 per tonne or allergies. respectively to USD 4000 per tonne in response to a shortfall in milk availability Fat contributes to a creamy mouth based on world demand. feel which was the precursor for the development of the present cheese In the past, increases in demand were structure. The fat particles interrupt the driven mainly by population growth, protein matrix and prevent cheese from whereas they are now increasingly fuelled getting too solid, an important factor by rising per capita milk consumption in for the development of flavour during developing countries. The deficit in world aging. The use of fat such as milk production since 2004 did not have a palm oil during cheese production may major effect on prices at first as additional optimise the fatty acid profile and reduce supplies of about 2 million tonnes per the content. Basically, there are year were available from stocks in the three possibilities as mentioned (Mellgren, USA and the European Union. However, 2003): prices increased dramatically when these • partial or complete substitution of milk supplies were exhausted. Climatic events fat with vegetable fat by using skimmed and policy interventions could have been milk and vegetable fat; determinantal to this price escalation. The • complete substitution of milk fat with main countries where there is milk surplus vegetable fat by using whey proteins, are Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, water and vegetable fat; or USA, Uruguay European Union and • replacement of all milk components with Eastern Europe. During the period 1990 to vegetable products for the production 2004, overall milk exports increased from of vegetarian cheese alternatives made 4.0% to 7.1% of total production while the from vegetable proteins, microbial share delivered to formal milk processors rennet and vegetable fat. increased from 14% to 24% (IFCN, 2008).

12 PALM OIL ENGINEERING BULLETIN NO. 101 Feature Article USD per lb cheese

Year

Source: Brian Gould (2011).

Figure 2. Wholesale price trend for mozzarella cheese.

The common ingredients for white ched- The following simple recipe produces dar cheese analogues with approximately a delicious cheese substitute suitable as a 18.4% total fat content are water, potato cream on crackers, creamy starch, non-hydrogenated vegetable spread on sandwich bread, replacing ricotta and oils, soya protein, yeast extract, car- in any culinary recipes or serve it warm as a rageen as a thickener, salt, flavouring and cheesy appetizer in 1 hr. carotene. The common ingredients for su- per-melting mozzarella cheese analogues Ingredients: with approximately 25.4% total fat content are water, non-hydrogenated vegetable fats 65 g of , 65 g of soyamilk and oils, soya protein, starch, carrageen and powder, 250 ml of soyamilk, 5 ml locust bean gum as thickeners, salt, yeast of vinegar, 10 ml of prepared spicy extract, calcium phosphate and potassium mustard, 360 ml of and salt to taste. phosphate as emulsifying salts, raw cane , flavour, herbs, spices, annatto and beta carotene.

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Preparation: New technologies bridge the gap between analogue and natural cheese products. Pre-heat oven to 180ºC and set aside Indistinguishable cheese analogue can be a non-stick 8” round cake pan. The produced by heat treatment of milk proteins nutritional yeast and soyamilk powder with addition of vegetable oil mixture are mixed in a small saucepan followed without using starter bacteria. The process by soyamilk and heat over medium has been developed based on a series of heat to homogenise the powder. While physio-chemical and biochemical principles stirring continuously add the vinegar, which is high yield without generating mustard and salt and cook until the whey, fast, simple, consistent and cost- mixture thickens before removing from effective of approximately half the cost the cooker. The soyabean cake or taufu is compared to natural cheese production. processed in a blender or food processor The flavour matching natural cheese is until creamy followed by adding the achieved by addition of enzymes contained soyamilk mixture carefully to process in natural cheese ingredients to the cheese until well combined. Pour into cake pan base separately without need for ripening. and bake for 35 min to 40 min, or until The texture of the final product is controlled cheese has a golden skin, but still feels through the level of moisture and the use creamy in the centre when you press its of texturisers. The product is ready for the surface. Remove from oven to cool on a market in 24 hr. cooling rack. Cheese can be chilled in the refrigerator. Food service and industrial companies have been turning to cheese analogue DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION products for a number of years due to its attractive price and functionality. A product Analogue cheeses were introduced in the then considered as high end would be lucky US in early 1970s. Cheese alternatives to fall in the mid-range today. According were then being produced and sold in to Information Resources Incorporation USA, United Kingdom, Sweden, France, scanner data grocery retail sales in 2006 Germany, Belgium, Switzerland and were 34.1 million pounds. The Wisconsin Australia (Rupesh and Atanu, 2007). Milk Marketing Board’s Manufacture of analogue cheese involves Cheese Tracker shows that 76% of cheese blending selected ingredients together analogue is used by full service restaurants, and heating to produce stable molten oil 19% non-commercial use and remaining 5% in water emulsion which sets on cooling. for leisure or retail purposes. Wide varieties There are four key ingredients needed to of flavours are available in blocks, shreds, manufacture analogue cheese namely water, slices or sauces. According to the Mintel emulsifying salts, protein and fat (Adnan Global New Products Database, cheese Tamime, 2011). The texture and the flavour analogue has been featured in a number of profile of analogue cheese are determined new products released in the US (Amelia by the selected types of protein, oil, starch, Buragas, 2007). hydrocolloid, emulsifiers and emulsifying salts (Gerstenberg Schröder, 2010). Cheese Cheese analogues have not made substitutes produced from casein or soya- significant impact yet on the retail market milk usually require enrichment with but are predicted to compete with dairy nutritional ingredients in order to become cheese on an increasing scale due to the comparable to natural cheese and are consumers’ preferences in demanding rarely characterised by a satisfactory taste. low cholesterol, low saturated fats and low

14 PALM OIL ENGINEERING BULLETIN NO. 101 Feature Article calorie foodstuffs with ingredients that help HANS-PETER BACHMANN (2001). to lower health risks via substituting animal Cheese analogues: a review. International fats by vegetable oils and fats (Hans-Peter Dairy Journal, 11: 505–515. Bachmann, 2001). IFCN (2008). IFCN Dairy Report 2008. IFCN, REFERENCES USA.

ADNAN TAMIME (2011). Processed Cheeses JENKINS (1996). Cheese Primer. Workman and Analogues. Wiley-Blackwell, USA. Publishing Company.

AMELIA BURAGAS (2007). Companies KRAFT (2010). Philadelphia Brand History Turn to Analogue Products for Function Cost. 1872-1920. United Kingdom: Kraft Foods. Middleton: Quarne Publishing LLC. MCGEE, H (2004). On Food and Cooking: The ANESTIS, M (2006). AP Biology. 2nd edition. Science and Lore of the Kitchen. 2nd edition. McGraw-Hill Professional, New York. New York: Scribner.

BARBARA, E (1981). The Pocket Guide to MELLGREN, J (2003). Specialty Cheese Cheese. Lansdowne Press, Sydney. Manual, Part II: Knowing the Family of Cheese. http://www.gourmetretailer.com/ BRIAN GOULD (2011). Agricultural and gourmetretailer/magazine/article_display. Applied Economics. UW Madison, USA. jsp?vnu_content_id=1911696.

GERSTENBERG SCHRÖDER (2010). RUPESH, S C and ATANU JANA (2007). Analogue Cheese. SPX Corporation, North Cheese substitutes: an alternative to natural Carolina. cheese - a review. Int. J. of , Technology and Nutrition Vol. 2 (2): 25-39.

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