How diff kinds of cheese are made

We use different kinds of cheese in our cooking...but have u ever wondered how these different varieties are made using the same kind of milk? Its true tht there are different kinds of milk - milk from cow, buffalo, goat & sheep. But this variety is small considering the varieties in cheese...a few of them are - Indian Fav- Paneer, everybdy's all time fav - Mozarella & then many others - Romano, Parmesan, Cheddar etc.

Lets find out how they are made or wht makes them different -

Cheese is a generic term for a diverse group of milk-based food products. Cheese is produced throughout the world in wide-ranging flavors, textures, and forms.

Cheese consists of proteins and fat from milk, usually the milk of cows, buffalo, goats, or sheep. It is produced by coagulation of the milk protein casein. Typically, the milk is acidified and addition of the enzyme rennet causes coagulation. The solids are separated and pressed into final form. Some cheeses have molds on the rind or throughout. Most cheeses melt at cooking temperature.

Hundreds of types of cheese are produced...some of these names may be familiar to us - Asiago, Fontina, Gorgonzola, Mascarpone, Pecorino, Provolone, Gruyere, Brie, Ricotta, Gouda...the list is endless. Their styles, textures and flavors depend on the origin of the milk (including the animal's diet), whether they have been pasteurized, the butterfat content, the bacteria and mold, the processing, and aging. Herbs, spices, or wood smoke may be used as flavoring agents. The yellow to red color of many cheeses is from adding annatto.

For a few cheeses, the milk is curdled by adding acids such as vinegar or lemon juice. Most cheeses are acidified to a lesser degree by bacteria, which turn milk sugars into lactic acid, then the addition of rennet completes the curdling. Vegetarian alternatives to rennet are available; most are produced by fermentation of the fungus Mucor miehei, but others have been extracted from various species of the Cynara thistle family.

Cheese is valued for its portability, long life, and high content of fat, protein, calcium, and phosphorus. Cheese is more compact and has a longer shelf life than milk.

So, whichever be ur fav, use them in ur recipe & Enjoy!!