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Arla develops cottage cheese solution

Arla Foods Ingredients has developed what it describes as a unique new clean-label protein solution that tackles the long-standing problem of watery low-fat cottage cheese. Sales of cottage cheese are rising as consumers seek out healthy dairy products that are low in fat and high in protein, the company notes, pointing out that, just like […]

Arla Foods Ingredients has developed what it describes as a unique new clean-label protein solution that tackles the long-standing problem of watery low-fat cottage cheese.

Sales of cottage cheese are rising as consumers seek out healthy dairy products that are low in fat and high in protein, the company notes, pointing out that, just like Greek yoghurt and Skyr, cottage cheese falls into this category and is enjoying a surge in popularity. New launches of cottage cheese products globally increased by 39% between 2010 and 2014, according to Innova Market Insights. Growing numbers of consumers enjoy cottage cheese because it offers a tasty and healthy option for multiple occasions, including snack time, breakfast, lunch and even dessert.

Arla Foods Ingredients’ new dairy protein is simply added to the dressing (cream) that is combined with the curds to make cottage cheese. It reacts with the salt in the dressing to create a thicker texture and a creamier end product. This eliminates the need for the stabilisers frequently used to enhance the quality of low fat cottage cheese, the company says, which tends to have a runnier consistency than the standard version and is therefore more likely to require thickening. This is often done using starches and gums, which may mean sacrificing clean label status.

Because the cream dressing containing Arla Foods Ingredients’ dairy protein is said to be better quality, the proportion of curds required in the recipe can be reduced without any negative impact on product quality – enabling manufacturers to optimise their production costs and maximise profitability.

“This is a unique solution for improving cottage cheese products, especially low fat cottage cheese, which often presents technical and quality challenges,” said Claus Andersen, Category & Application Manager for Cheese at Arla Foods Ingredients. “Now manufacturers can achieve a thick, creamier and tastier end product, using a dairy-based ingredient that is clean label and familiar to consumers.”

Cottage cheese made with Arla Foods Ingredients’ new protein is also claimed to be more stable and less likely to separate and lose its texture when it has been left to stand, improving its overall appearance and consumer appeal. The protein is said to be easy to use in the production process and the cottage cheese is made in the usual way. As well as improving the quality of low fat cottage cheese, Arla says that the protein also offers benefits to the standard version, in the form of improved flavour, texture and reduced costs.