The present invention provides a liquid composition comprising: (i) an aspartic protease; and (ii) an inorganic salt and/or a polyalcohol; in which composition; the sum concentration of sorbate, benzoate and alkyl esters of para-hydroxybenzoate is less than 0.010 mol/l; the standard plate count ‰¤ 100 in 1 ml; yeast count ‰¤ 10 in 1 ml; and mould count ‰¤ 10 in 1 ml. The composition can be used as a coagulant in the production of cheese