Curd containing slurry compositions for making soft or firm/semi-hard ripened and unripened cheese

A pasta filata cheese comprising:

• (i) a starch concentration of about 0.5 to about 26 wt. %;
• (ii) a dairy solid concentration of about 0.5 to about 35 wt. %;
• or
• (iii) a gum or cellulose concentration of about 0.1 to about 20 wt. %,
• wherein the pasta filata cheese comprises a block cheese, a ribbon cheese, a string cheese, a comminuted cheese, a diced cheese, or a shredded cheese.

A pasta filata cheese comprising:

• (i) a starch concentration of about 0.5 to about 26 wt. %;
• (ii) a dairy solid concentration of about 0.5 to about 35 wt. %;
• or
• (iii) a gum or cellulose concentration of about 0.1 to about 20 wt. %,
• wherein the pasta filata cheese comprises a block cheese, a ribbon cheese, a string cheese, a comminuted cheese, a diced cheese, or a shredded cheese, and
• the pasta filata cheese includes 0.001 to 3.8 wt. % of one or more alkali metal phosphate or alkali metal citrate sequestrants.