Cheese prodn. from curds and whey - with improved density and drainage

摘要

A mixture of curds and whey are forced by a pump into a drainage column. The drainage column permits the whey to be squeezed out under pressure into an annular cylinder whilst the curds are forced into a curds holder. The wall of the holder and the roof are constructed of a sieve material permitting further drainage of the whey. When th holder is full, the curds are cut away from the curds and whey in the drainage column by means of a rotating disc. The block of curds so formed is then transferred to a position diametrically opposed to the drainage column where it falls through another opening in the disc into a dish which is then transported away on a conveyor belt. During the filling process, the pressure in the drainage annulus is automatically regulated by the level of whey in they whey column. This whey column can also periodically be pressurised by compressed air through valve to clear the drainage crevices. The process produces a particularly dense and well drained cheese. Method producers a dense and well-drained block of curds; obviating formation of pores and drying cracks on the underside of the cheese.