Cheese Producer Key Terms

Cheese producers use various equipment and supplies in the cheese making process

Cheese producers use certain tools within their production process in order to turn different types of milk into cheese products. The central component involved in cheese production is typically the protein found in milk called casein. An enzyme added by the cheese producers affects the structure of casein and leaves behind the curds used to make cheese. In order to walk through the entire process used by cheese producers, you should know several key terms.

 

Cow's milk

Cheese producers most often use cow's milk as their main ingredient. If the cow's milk is heated, then the cheese is a type of pasteurized cheese. Cow's milk that has not been heated in the process of cheese making will produce a type of unpasteurized cheese.
Try: The National Dairy Process has information about the way that cow’s milk is used by cheese producers.

Wisconsin cheese producers

Wisconsin houses many of the world's top cheese producers. Cheese production dates back to the 1830s and specialties from the state include Limburger, Swiss, Colby and cheddar.
Try: Delve into the history of Wisconsin cheese producers on Wisconsin Specialty Cheese.

Artisan cheese producers

Artisan cheese producers are smaller-scale manufacturers of specialty cheeses. Artisan cheese products are made on rural farms instead of produced on a larger scale in factories. Artisan cheese producers will typically offer a smaller collection of cheeses instead of multiple varieties.
Try: Cowgirl Creamery expands on the art and meaning behind being an artisan cheese producer.

Cheese vat

Cheese vats are the devices used by cheese producers to mix together the ingredients used to make the cheese. A cheese vat is made up of different components, including stirring tools, cutting tools, strainers and pumps.
Try: The College of Engineering has a diagram and definition of a cheese vat.

Cheese press

Cheese manufacturers use a cheese press as a way to create the grouping of hard cheeses. The soft cheese curd is placed into a mold and then pressed until it reaches the desired consistency.
Try: Leeners has information on how a cheese press works and how to make a simple one to use for smaller cheese production projects.

Curd

The curd is the result of the cheese producers using additives to curdle the milk. The residual cheese product that occurs during the curdling process is known as whey. After the curd is separated, it is placed in a brine bath for several days as a part of production.
Try: The Park.org page describes the way that is curd is used by cheese producers in order to create the finished project.

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