Majorero cheeses from six producers were analysed for basic physicochemical, textural, colour and sensorial characteristics. These analyses took place at different stages of the ripening process, from 15 to 90 days. The basic composition and the texture attributes of Majorero cheese changed significantly during the storage period (P < 0.001). Fracturability, hardness, adhesiveness and gumminess increased from 15 to 90 days of ripening while elasticity decreased. Furthermore, ripening time affected most of the sensory parameters analysed (P < 0.05): as the cheeses matured and became drier, there was an increase in roughness and elasticity in addition to odour and aroma intensity.

The objective of this study was to examine the physicochemical properties of cheese elaborated via traditional artisan methods using goat milk containing 5, 1.5, or 0.4% fat and ripened for 1, 7, 14, or 28 d. Seventy-two cheeses were produced (2 batches x 3 fat levels x 4 ripening times x triplicate). Proximal composition, pH, texture analysis, and color were recorded in each cheese. Protein and moisture were increased in cheese, and fat and fat in DM were decreased with decreasing fat in milk. Internal and external pH was higher in low-fat and reduced-fat cheese, and pH values decreased during the first 2 wk of ripening but increased slightly on d 28. Cheese fracturability, cohesiveness, masticability, and hardness increased with decreasing fat, whereas elasticity and adhesiveness decreased. Cheese lightness and red and yellow indexes decreased with decreasing fat content; during ripening, lightness decreased further but yellow index increased.

The study of the headspace components of fresh smoked goat cheese, was carried out by means of solid-phase microextraction using a polyacrylate fiber followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The samples studied were six artisan Palmero cheeses manufactured following traditional methods and smoked using pine needles. The cheese regions studied were exterior, interior, and a cross section. In total, more than 320 components were detected, the exterior region being the richest in components, among which were acids, alcohols, esters, hydrocarbons, aldehydes, ketones, furan and pyran derivatives, terpenes and sesquiterpenes, nitrogen derivatives, phenol, guaiacol and syringol derivatives, ethers, and others. In addition to typical cheese components, typical smoke components were also detected; these latter were present especially in the headspace of the exterior region and only those in significant concentrations in the exterior region were also detected in the interior. The main components were acids and phenolic derivatives. These latter compounds play an important role in the flavor of this cheese, and their relative proportions together with the presence of specific smoke components derived from pine leaves may be considered of interest in order to distinguish this cheese from others smoked with different vegetable matter.

No abstract

Goat milk cheese was made using natural rennet paste from kid's abomasum using the traditional method used for Palmero AOC Cheese and commercial rennet (50% quimosin, 50% pepsin). Changes in composition, colour and texture were evaluated in fresh (6d ripening), semi-hard (40d ripening) and hard cheeses (70d ripening) that were made according to the specifications of AOC Regulatory Board. Cheese made with natural paste were harder, more elastic, breakable and darker than those made with commercial rennet.