Method and apparatus for preparing a dairy product

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The residence time of the starter culture in the pre-incubator is preferably from about 10 to about 60 minutes, more preferably from about 10 to about 30 minutes and the temperature of the pre-incubator is from about 10 to about 50° C.
, preferably about 20 to about 45° C.
, more preferably from about 30 to about 35° C.
, although this will depend on the characteristics of the microorganism in question.
The aqueous suspension of dried or frozen starter culture is prepared at a temperature of about 20° C.
or less, preferably about 15° C.
or less.
In one embodiment, the residence time of the starter culture in the pre-incubator is from 10 to 60 minutes, preferably from 10 to 30 minutes and the temperature of the pre-incubator is from 10 to 50° C.
, preferably 20 to 45° C.
, more preferably 30 to 35° C.
, although, again, it will depend the characteristics of the microorganism in question.
The mixing of the aqueous suspension of starter culture composition with the metered flow of milk may preferably be carried out in a mixer connected directly to the pre-incubator, at the preincubation temperature.
The pre-incubator and preferably the mixer may be maintained at preincubation temperature by surrounding it with a heated fluid, for example a water bath at the appropriate temperature.
The activated culture composition may be dispensed at intervals of, for example, five minutes or less, preferably two minutes or less.
Using the method of the invention, it is possible at determined points of time to dose small cheese vats of 100 to 2000 liters, preferably 150 to 1500 liters, more preferably from 200 to 1000 liters with pre-activated starter culture composition (i.
e.
, the activated culture composition) in a very convenient manner.
In order to more fully understand the principles and aspects of the present invention, a detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof will be given below.
An example of such a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, which is a schematic representation of an apparatus and method for preparing a dairy product, in accordance with the invention