Arla Foods Ingredients Nutrilac FastRipe cheese-ripening protein

Nutrilac FastRipe from Arla Foods Ingredients is a natural milk protein that enables cheesemakers to reduce ripening times.

Ripening takes as little as 3 weeks or as much as 12 months. Nutrilac FastRipe enables cheese producers to reduce the maturation process by 1 to 6 weeks (depending on the cheese variety), which can help reduce storage costs.

The product is made with Arla’s CH-4560 natural whey protein, which is extracted from cows’ milk. It is supplied as a fully soluble powder that can be dispersed and blended quickly and easily into cheese-milk or water - meaning that no changes to the overall manufacturing process are required.

Once added, it accelerates the mechanism in cheese that causes it to ripen. It softens the protein matrix in the cheese at an earlier stage to help the cheese reach the required texture more quickly and then breaks down casein molecules at a faster rate than usual to release the volatile compounds that are responsible for developing flavour.

Unlike other ripening agents like cultures and enzymes, the product reportedly does not break down proteins excessively, which means shelf life and taste are not impacted. In most countries, the ingredient does not need to be declared on the label as it is solely derived from milk.

The product is suitable for use in a range of cheeses such as Gouda, Edam, Manchego and Cheddar.