The addition of calcium chloride in combination with a lower draining pH to change the microstructure and improve fat retention in Cheddar cheese

Calcium chloride addition and the whey draining pH are known to impact on cheese making. The effect of 100 or 300 mg kg−1 calcium chloride (CaCl2) and the whey draining pH (6.2 or 6.0) on the microstructure of Cheddar cheese was assessed using confocal and cryo scanning electron microscopy. The gel made with 300 mg kg−1 CaCl2 was found to have a denser protein network and smaller pores than the gel with lower or no CaCl2 addition. CaCl2 addition reduced fat lost to the sweet whey. The texture of the cheeses with a lower draining pH was harder and moisture content lower. Our results show that the combination of calcium addition and lower draining pH could be used to increase network formation at the early stages of cheese making to improve fat retention while maintaining a similar level of total calcium in the final cheese.