COMPOSITIONS DE FROMAGE D'IMITATION DESTINEES A ETRE UTILISEES DANS LA FABRICATION DE PAINS DE FROMAGE, TRANCHES DE FROMAGE ET SIMILAIRES, AINSI QUE PROCEDE DE PRODUCTION DE TELLES COMPOSITIONS
An imitation cheese composition containing moisture, preferably in an amount that is at least 55% by weight, a hydrocolloid, a cheese-derived component, preferably in an amount less than about 15% by weight of the composition, cheese flavoring that is natural or artificial and an acidulent, preferably in an amount that causes a pH of the composition to be not greater than 4.6. The composition is sufficiently firm such that it can be at least one of sliced, cut, shredded or grated. Preferably, protein in an amount not greater than 6% by weight of the composition is present, and/or the acidulent is in a total titrateable amount of less than 1.5% by weight of the composition, resulting in an imitation cheese having a flavor, texture and consistency that was only previously attainable in a pasturized process cheese product.
