Effect of calcium addition and pH on yield and texture of Minas cured cheese

Milk calcium concentration is a factor related to cheese texture, an important rheological property of cheese quality as perceived by consumers. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different pH conditions (5.8 and 6.6) and calcium addition (0, 150, 300 ppm of CaCl2), on yield and nutrient retention of the clots obtained and on the texture of Minas cured cheese. Clots were analyzed for wet and dry yield, percentage content and retention of protein, fat and calcium. The texture of the cheese was evaluated by instrumental and sensorial tests. No differences were observed on the wet and dry yields, or on the protein content, fat and calcium retention of clots produced in the different experimental conditions. The instrumental evaluation showed that calcium addition significantly influenced the texture of cheeses, regardless of the pH of milk clotting. The sensory panel did not find a difference in the hardness of cheeses produced at the same pH of milk clotting in function of CaCl2 addition. There was no difference in the texture of Minas cured cheese due to the calcium addition to milk for dairy product consumers, which brings a new perspective on manufacture for cheese markers.