TEXTURE ANALYSIS OF CHEDDAR CHEESE MADE FROM ULTRAFILTERED MILK

The textural properties of Cheddar cheese made from ultrafiltered milk were assessed. Cheddar cheeses were prepared from 1.5- and 2.0-fold concentrated milk and ripened for three months. Textural characteristics of the UF cheeses were compared to control and commercial Cheddar cheeses by sensory and instrumental measures. The texture of cheese made from UF milk differed from the control commercial Cheddar cheeses. According to the trained sensory panel, the UF cheeses were harder and more rubbery, crumbly, chewy and grainy than the control and commercial Cheddar cheeses (P <0.01). The texture profile analysis (TPA), conducted using the Instron, did not correspond to the sensory measurements nor was it successful in discriminating among the cheese samples. Lack of agreement between the sensory and instrumental tests was attributed to differences in the testing conditions and procedures of the two methods. Instrumental tests should be validated against sensory measures in order to be useful as measures of palatability. Consumer preferences for the commercial, control and UF Cheddar cheeses were significantly different (P < 0.01), the UF cheeses being less preferred in terms of flavor, texture and overall acceptability.