Cheese ripening

Abstract

A method for providing a naturally ripened, cylindrically shaped cheese of the hard or semi-hard type is provided. The method comprises: (i) forming a cylindrically shaped cheese from a curd by conventional means; (ii) applying a protective water-permeable coating layer onto the entire surface of the cheese, thereby obtaining a coated cheese; (iii) partially enclosing the coated cheese with a further coating of a water-impermeable material such that the convex, circumferential sides and the curved area are covered while leaving the flat bottom and top surfaces uncovered, thereby obtaining a partially enclosed coated cheese; and (iv) allowing the partially enclosed coated cheese to ripen. A naturally ripened, cylindrically shaped, coated cheese of the hard or semi-hard type obtainable by the method is also provided.

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