IFF, a global company in fragrances, food ingredients, health, and biosciences, has launched Choozit Lift, a new starter culture designed to revolutionize the production of semi-hard cheeses with sustainability and efficiency in mind. Traditionally, semi-hard cheese production involves a water-intensive step called curd washing, used to remove excess lactose and control acidity to achieve the desired texture and flavor. This step, while essential, consumes large amounts of water and energy.
Choozit Lift combines advanced strain design with practical cheese-making knowledge to naturally reduce lactose levels in whey. This allows cheese producers to control post-acidification without washing the curd, resulting in a homogenous taste and texture without bitterness. By eliminating the curd-washing step, the starter culture not only reduces water and energy consumption but also streamlines production processes and lowers operational costs, including whey treatment, storage, and transportation.
Trials with cheese makers have validated the effectiveness of Choozit Lift. Data show that producing one kilogram of semi-hard cheese with this starter culture saves approximately three liters of water, making the process more cost-efficient and environmentally friendly. For large-scale production of 10,000 tons of semi-hard cheese per year, the potential water savings reach 25,000 cubic meters annually, while ensuring consistent product quality even during seasonal water shortages.
IFF emphasizes that Choozit Lift represents a step forward in sustainable and high-quality cheese production. It enables producers to meet growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible products while maintaining the standards that define premium cheeses. The solution is particularly impactful for popular semi-hard varieties such as Gouda, which account for nearly 30% of industrial cheese production globally.
Executives at IFF highlight that Choozit Lift merges centuries-old artisanal cheese-making traditions with modern bioscience. The starter culture helps producers achieve more with fewer resources, providing measurable economic, operational, and environmental benefits. By optimizing production efficiency and reducing environmental footprint, Choozit Lift offers a scalable solution for the future of sustainable dairy.
Reference:
https://www.dairyindustries.com/news/47424/water-reduction-with-new-iff-culture-for-cheese/link