KMC's potato-based CheeseMaker solutions to help the production cream cheese

KMC launches two new products for processed cream cheese products. CheeseMaker SP25 and SP35 enable producers to manufacture a processed cream cheese product from starch, milk proteins and vegetable fat, instead of producing them the traditional way using cream cheese or milk.

The recombination process results in a quick and cost-effective solution and also makes producers less dependent on perishable products. Furthermore, the processed cream cheese products containing CheeseMaker SP25 and SP35 have a much better stability at fluctuating temperatures.

Processed cream cheeses are spreadable products seen in e.g. the Middle East and South America. Basis for these spreads is cream cheese and this raw material is then heated together with emulsifying salts. Substituting with dry ingredients including CheeseMaker specialty starch will ensure a stable supply of ingredients and no need for refrigerated storage of milk or cream cheese. The production of cream cheese also involves expensive filtration equipment and results in discharge of whey. This can easily be avoided by using the recombination process.

CheeseMaker SP25 and SP35 result in good stability and less textural changes upon temperature fluctuations. Especially in countries where these processed cream cheese spreads usually are sold, ambient temperatures can be high and temperature fluctuations significant. "We have carried out a number of trials in which the texture of samples was tested immediately from the refrigerator and after acclimatization to room temperature." says Dairy Specialist Karen Bülow-Olsen, "The samples with our CheeseMaker solutions kept the same firmness independent of the temperature, whereas the reference samples showed a clear decrease in firmness at the higher temperature."

Both CheeseMaker SP25 and SP35 are potato-based and have a neutral taste and a white color. CheeseMaker SP25 results in a shorter and spoonable structure, whereas CheeseMaker SP35 gives a longer and ropier texture. CheeseMaker SP35 is also slightly firmer at the same dosage and gives a faster flavor release. Both products are easy to dissolve and can be added together with the other dry ingredients. They are kosher and halal-certified.

The use of CheeseMaker SP25 or SP35 will enable producers that do not have access to a steady supply of milk or have expensive filtration equipment to manufacture a cost-effective processed cream cheese product.