A quark base mix is proposed having enhanced taste properties which is obtainable in that(a) raw milk is subjected to a temperature treatment and the cream is separated off,(b) the resultant skimmed milk is subjected to an ultrafiltration and in this case a first retentate R1 which contains a milk protein concentrate is produced, and a first permeate P1 is produced,(c) the first permeate P1 is subjected to a nanofiltration and/or reverse osmosis and in this case a second retentate R2 which contains alkali metal salts is produced, and a second permeate P2 is produced,(d) optionally the second retentate R2 is subjected to an alkaline demineralization and in this case a third retentate R3 which contains phosphate salts is produced and a third permeate P3 is produced,(e) the third permeate P3 is combined with the retentate R1 in such a manner that a non-acidified quark base mix is formed, and(f) the resultant mixture is subjected to a temperature treatment until denaturation occurs, and finally(g) the denatured product is admixed with starter cultures and rennet and optionally(h) the quark base mix thus obtained after completion of fermentation is adjusted to a defined dry matter content and protein content,and in step (g), as starter culture(i) a first mixture of five microorganisms comprising (i-1) Streptococcus thermophilus, (i-2) Leuconostoc species, (i-3) Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis biovar diacetylactis, (i-4) Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis and (i-5) Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris, and(ii) a second mixture of three microorganisms comprising (ii-1) Streptococcus thermophilus, (ii-2) Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis and (ii-3) Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris is used.
