Lipolysis,proteolysis and sensory properties of ewe’s raw milk cheese (Idiazabal) made with lipase addition

In this paper, we describe the effect of the addition of pregastric lipase on the composition and sensory properties of Idiazabal cheese. Free fatty acids (FFA), partial glycerides, free amino acids (FAA), gross composition and sensory characteristics were determined at different ripening times in cheeses manufactured with three different amounts of commercial animal lipase or with lipase-containing artisanal lamb rennet paste. The addition of lipase increased the content of total FFA, particularly of short-chain FFA, and that of total partial glycerides in cheeses. Unexpectedly, lipase utilization significantly affected total FAA concentration, which decreased in cheeses elaborated with high lipase amount. In general, Val, Glu and Leu were the major FAA, and their concentrations depended, mainly, on ripening time. Lipase addition had significant influence on the sensory characteristics of the cheeses, increasing scores for most of the flavour and odour attributes of the cheese. Principal component analysis (PCA) was done including dry matter, FFA, FAA, partial glycerides and odour and flavour attributes of the cheeses. It indicated that aroma and flavour parameters of Idiazabal cheese and the content of short-chain FFA and diglycerides were highly correlated to first principal component (PC1), while texture parameters, compositional variables and FAA were correlated to the second principal component (PC2).     

Factors affecting consumers' preferences for and purchasing decisions regarding pasteurized and raw milk specialty cheeses

Eight hundred ninety consumers at a local food festival were surveyed about their specialty cheese purchasing behavior and asked to taste and rate, through nonforced choice preference, 1 of 4 cheese pairs (Cheddar and Gouda) made from pasteurized and raw milks. The purpose of the survey was to examine consumers’ responses to information on the safety of raw milk cheeses. The associated consumer test provided information about specialty cheese consumers’ preferences and purchasing behavior. Half of the consumers tested were provided with cheese pairs that were identified as being made from unpasteurized and pasteurized milk. The other half evaluated samples that were identified only with random 3-digit codes. Overall, more consumers preferred the raw milk cheeses than the pasteurized milk cheeses. A larger portion of consumers indicated preferences for the raw milk cheese when the cheeses were labeled and thus they knew which samples were made from raw milk. Most of the consumers tested considered the raw milk cheeses to be less safe or did not know if raw milk cheeses were less safe. After being informed that the raw milk cheeses were produced by a process approved by the FDA (i.e., 60-d ripening), most consumers with concerns stated that they believed raw milk cheeses to be safe. When marketing cheese made from raw milk, producers should inform consumers that raw milk cheese is produced by an FDA-approved process.     

BRNING TIME AND SMOKING INFLUENCE ON ACCEPTABILITY OF IDIAZABAL CHEESE

Brining time and traditional smoking effects on sensory characteristics (appearance, odor, texture, taste and aftertaste) during ripening of Idiazabal cheese were studied in terms of acceptability. The range of brining time (12, 24 and 36 h) considered in this study showed little effect on sensory parameters. In longer brined cheeses, an improvement of rind acceptability was observed especially at the beginning of the ripening period. In young products the texture of the more salted cheese was preferred, in hard cheeses consumers preferred the less salty ones. The traditional smoking process had a greater effect on sensory parameters perceived by consumers than brining time did. It was observed that smoking had a positive influence on acceptability of rind, paste color and eyes. Smoking also increased odor and texture acceptability.     

Factors affecting dry-cured ham consumer acceptability

The objectives of the present study were (1) to compare the relative importance of price, processing time, texture and intramuscular fat in purchase intention of dry-cured ham through conjoint analysis, (2) to evaluate the effect of dry-cured ham appearance on consumer expectations, and (3) to describe the consumer sensory preferences of dry-cured ham using external preference mapping. Texture and processing time influenced the consumer preferences in conjoint analysis. Red colour intensity, colour uniformity, external fat and white film presence/absence influenced consumer expectations. The consumer disliked hams with bitter and metallic flavour and with excessive saltiness and piquantness. Differences between expected and experienced acceptability were found, which indicates that the visual preference of consumers does not allow them to select a dry-cured ham that satisfies their sensory preferences of flavour and texture.     

Influence of the addition of microencapsulated Swiss cheese bioaroma on the technical and sensory qualities of cheese bread

This study evaluated the influence of the powdered bioaroma of Swiss cheese on the technical and sensory qualities of cheese bread. The methodology of the internal preference mapping was applied. The results revealed that cheese breads containing powdered bioaroma of Swiss cheese showed high sensorial quality in terms of aroma, flavour, global acceptance and intent to purchase. The addition of the powdered bioaroma positively influenced the texture, the main parameter of acceptance. The technical quality parameters of density and water activity were constant with increasing flavouring concentration, except for samples with 6.6% Swiss cheese bioaroma powder that showed higher values of density. The multidimensional preference analysis confirmed the anova results, allowing for the clear observation of the segmentation of consumers according to the sensory characteristics of the samples (0.0, 2.2, 4.4 and 6.6% bioaroma). Sensory analysis showed that consumers preferred samples having 6.6% bioaroma.     

Swiss-type and Swiss–Cheddar hybrid-type cheeses: effects of manufacture on sensory character and relationships between the sensory attributes and volatile compounds and gross compositional constituents

The effects of manufacturing steps, including rate of acidification in the vat, hot room step, curd wash and ripening temperature, on the sensory character of Swiss-type and Swiss–Cheddar hybrid-type cheeses were determined. In addition, relationships were determined between sensory attributes of cheeses and their gross compositional constituents and volatile compounds. Ten assessors described the sensory characteristics using 12 odour, 19 flavour, four appearance and nine texture attributes. Gross compositional constituents were determined using standard methods. Volatile compounds were isolated using a model mouth apparatus that included a mastication device. Statistical methods were used to reduce the original sensory vocabulary to four odour, eight flavour, three appearance and five texture attributes. Results of a principal component analysis on the sensory data showed clear differences in sensory character between cheese types. For example, the Swiss-type with a low rate of acid production in the vat and a hot room step had a more 'nutty' and 'sweet' flavour than the modified Swiss-type with higher acid production and no hot room step. However, the modified Swiss–Cheddar hybrid with a curd wash step, a higher acid production and no hot room step also had a 'nutty' and 'sweet' flavour. Ripening temperature also has an effect on sensory character. Relationships between sensory character and volatile compounds and/or gross compositional constituents were determined by using partial least squares regression. One odour and one flavour attribute were shown to be correlated with subsets of volatile compounds and gross compositional constituents. Four texture attributes were correlated with subsets of gross compositional constituents. The availability of information on the manufacturing process increased the interpretability of the models.     

Definition of the sensory properties of hard cheese: A collaborative study between Scottish and Norwegian panels

Twelve samples of hard cheese were subjected to sensory analysis by a Scottish and a Norwegian panel of judges. The Scottish panel comprised 12 judges who had received no training, but who were experienced in evaluation of hard cheese. In contrast, the Norwegian panel of 10 professional judges was carefully selected and highly trained but inexperienced in evaluation of cheese. Samples were presented in a manner which allowed estimation of effects due to order of presentation. The cheeses were rated according to predetermined vocabularies that comprised terms encompassing odour, flavour and texture. The trained Norwegian panel performed significantly better than the Scottish panel in terms of consistency and repeatability. Despite this difference in sensory acuity, sensory space maps constructed after Principal Component Analysis of the data from each panel of judges were very similar.