Difference between revisions of "Cheese"

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| image                              = Cheese.jpg
 
| image                              = Cheese.jpg
 
| origin                              = <ul><li>Europe: Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Netherlands, France, England, Switzerland, Austria</li><li>Africa</li><li>Asia</li><li>America: Argentina</li><li>Australia: New Zealand</li></ul>
 
| origin                              = <ul><li>Europe: Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Netherlands, France, England, Switzerland, Austria</li><li>Africa</li><li>Asia</li><li>America: Argentina</li><li>Australia: New Zealand</li></ul>
| stowage factor                      = 1.13 - 1.81 m3/t (cartons)<br>2.80 m3/t (rolls)<br>2.50 m3/t (cartons in mesh containers)<br>1.48 - 1.62 m3/t (boxes)<br>1.00 - 1.34 m3/t (cartons)<br>1.56 - 2.00 m3/t (mesh containers)<br>1.84 - 2.00 m3/t (cartons from New Zealand)<br>1.56 m3/t (boxes from Argentina)<br>2.00 - 2.26 m3/t (Camembert in boxes)<br>1.84 - 2.00 m3/t (Edam in boxes)
+
| stowage factor                      = <ul><li>1.13 - 1.81 m<sup>3</sup>/t (cartons)</li><li>2.80 m<sup>3</sup>/t (rolls)</li><li>2.50 m<sup>3</sup>/t (cartons in mesh containers)</li><li>1.48 - 1.62 m<sup>3</sup>/t (boxes)</li><li>1.00 - 1.34 m<sup>3</sup>/t (cartons)</li><li>1.56 - 2.00 m<sup>3</sup>/t (mesh containers)</li><li>1.84 - 2.00 m<sup>3</sup>/t (cartons from New Zealand)</li><li>1.56 m<sup>3</sup>/t (boxes from Argentina)</li><li>2.00 - 2.26 m<sup>3</sup>/t (Camembert in boxes)</li><li>1.84 - 2.00 m<sup>3</sup>/t (Edam in boxes)
| humidity and moisture              = Cheese requires particular temperature, humidity/moisture and ventilation conditions.<br>Relative humidity:<br>                                 approx. 70 - 90% (depending on variety)<br>Water content:<br>                                 approx. 35% (hard and slicing cheese)<br>approx. 50% (soft cheese, curd cheese, processed cheese)<br> Maximum equilibrium moisture content:<br> approx. 70 - 90% (depending on variety)  
+
| humidity and moisture              = Cheese requires particular temperature (see text), humidity/moisture and ventilation conditions.<ul><li>Relative humidity: approx. 70 - 90% (depending on variety)<li>Water content:approx. 35% (hard and slicing cheese), approx. 50% (soft cheese, curd cheese, processed cheese)<li>Maximum equilibrium moisture content:approx. 70 - 90% (depending on variety)  
 
| ventilation                        = Recommended ventilation conditions: circulating air, 15 - 20 circulations/hour; fresh air where required. Inadequately ventilated cheese very rapidly succumbs to the risk of mold growth. In addition, drafts may cause losses in quality.
 
| ventilation                        = Recommended ventilation conditions: circulating air, 15 - 20 circulations/hour; fresh air where required. Inadequately ventilated cheese very rapidly succumbs to the risk of mold growth. In addition, drafts may cause losses in quality.
 
| risk factors                        = Cheese is sensitive to pressure and impact loads. Improper handling or stowage may result in damage.
 
| risk factors                        = Cheese is sensitive to pressure and impact loads. Improper handling or stowage may result in damage.
Line 9: Line 9:
  
 
==Description==
 
==Description==
Cheese is a dairy product, made from milk. According to the German cheese-making regulations, cheese is defined as "fresh products or products at varying degrees of ripeness which are made from coagulated cheese-making milk".
+
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 moulds on the rind or throughout. Most cheeses melt at cooking temperature. Hundreds of types of cheese are produced. 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 mould, 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]].
 
+
<br><br>
Cheese production may be divided into the following stages:
+
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. Cheesemakers near a dairy region may benefit from fresher, lower-priced milk, and lower shipping costs. The long storage life of some cheese, especially if it is encased in a protective rind, allows selling when markets are favorable.<br><br>
 
+
Cheese contains less water than milk. The amount of water in cheese greatly influences the storage life, and its sensoric properties. Many types of cheese are stored for a certain period, known as the ripening period, which may last for weeks or months. During ripening the cheese acquires special organoleptic qualities (appearance, texture, flavour). Microorganisms play an essential role in the development of these characteristics. After ripening (at a temperature between 8°C and 25°C for many types of cheese), the cheese should be kept at a temperature between 0°C and the ripening temperature, depending on how long time it is stored. <br>
<b>Curdling of the milk:</b> curdling may also be known as milk coagulation. By adding substances which promote curdling (rennet, lactic acid bacteria), the protein and fat constituents are precipitated out of the milk.<br>
+
Fresh cheeses have a high water content and should be kept at chill temperatures.<br>
<b>Curd formation:</b> during curd formation, the liquid parts (whey) of the curdled milk are separated from the solid parts (curd).<br>
+
Processed cheese is made from traditional cheese and emulsifying salts, often with the addition of milk, more [[salt]], preservatives, and food coloring. It is inexpensive, consistent, and melts smoothly. It is sold packaged and either pre-sliced or unsliced, in a number of varieties. It is also available in aerosol cans in some countries.
<b>Ripening of the cheese:</b> the cheese is ripened by the addition of microorganisms.
+
<br><br>
 
+
Categorizing cheeses by firmness is a common but inexact practice. The lines between "soft", "semi-soft", "semi-hard", and "hard" are arbitrary, and many types of cheese are made in softer or firmer variations. The main factor that controls cheese hardness is moisture content, which depends largely on the pressure with which it is packed into molds, and on aging time.<br><br>
The different varieties of cheese available number several thousand. They are classified according to the following criteria:
+
The main factor in the categorization of fresh, whey and stretched curd cheeses is their age. Fresh cheeses without additional preservatives can spoil in a matter of days.<br><br>  
 
+
Some cheeses are categorized by the source of the milk used to produce them or by the added fat content of the milk from which they are produced. While most of the world's commercially available cheese is made from cows' milk, many parts of the world also produce cheese from goats and sheep. Double cream cheeses are soft cheeses of cows' milk enriched with cream so that their fat content is 60% or, in the case of triple creams, 75%.<br><br>
• milk used (e.g. cow's, sheep's, goat's milk etc.)<br>
+
There are at least three main categories of cheese in which the presence of mold is a significant feature: soft ripened cheeses, washed rind cheeses and blue cheeses.<br><br>
water content of the non-fat cheese solids<br>
 
• curdling method<br>
 
• fat content of the solids<br>
 
 
 
A small number of standard cheese varieties is listed below:
 
 
 
• Hard cheese: Emmental, Cheddar<br>
 
• Soft cheese: Limburger, Brie, Camembert<br>
 
• Slicing cheese: Gouda, Tilsit, Edam<br>
 
• Semisoft slicing cheese: Butterkäse (a rich creamy cheese)<br>
 
• Curd cheese: Quark, layered Quark<br>
 
• Sour milk cheese: hand-formed curd cheese, Harz Mountain cheese<br>
 
 
 
Cheese packaging must not display any depreciation-inducing defects caused by moisture/humidity (damp or wet spots), contamination or damage due to mechanical influences (tears). Damage in particular often creates a risk of maggot/larval infestation and mold growth.
 
 
 
No generally applicable statement can be made as to maximum duration of storage, as this varies depending on variety. The following Table merely constitutes a rough estimate:
 
 
 
{|
 
|-
 
|style="width:105px;"|<b>Designation</b>
 
|style="width:105px;"|Temperature
 
|style="width:105px;"|Rel. humidity
 
|style="width:105px;"|Max. duration of storage
 
|-
 
|Roquefort
 
|1 - 4°C                
 
|85%
 
|4 weeks
 
|}
 
Tilsit                 2°C                 90%                 4 months
 
Emmental 10 - 12°C 80 - 85%                 4 - 8 months
 
Gouda                 0 - 1°C                 80%                 4 months
 
Cheese, vacuum-packed 2 - 4°C not stated approx. 6 months
 
Camembert 2°C                 not stated 6 - 8 weeks
 
Cheddar                 0°C                 not stated several months
 
Emmental 10 - 12°C not stated several months
 
  
 
==Applications==
 
==Applications==
Cheese is a very versatile foodstuff.
+
Cheese is a very resourceful foodstuff.
 
+
<br><br>
==Shipment/storage==
 
The rind which surrounds a large proportion of cheese varieties is coated with a wax layer, to protect the cheese from contamination, mold, insects, light and water loss. Rindless cheese is sealed into plastic film in the unripe state, the film being so selected as to allow the cheese to ripen in it.
 
 
 
Most cheese varieties are packaged in plastic film or aluminum or tin foil. Cheese is primarily transported in cartons. The packaging size is so selected that the dimensions of the individual area modules or area module multiples are conformed to the conventional pallet sizes (800x1200 mm and 1000x1200 mm) and cargo units may thus be produced. Sometimes cheese is also transported in rolls, which are wrapped with paperboard and strapped with metal strapping. To protect it from theft and damage, cheese is also transported in mesh containers (lockable box pallets).
 
 
 
Shipment in refrigerated containers.
 
 
 
Since cheese is highly impact- and pressure-sensitive, appropriate care must be taken during cargo handling. Cheese in rolls must not be dropped or set down hard, as it could thereby lose its roundness.
 
 
 
It is also imperative that the goods be protected from moisture (rain, snow) during cargo handling and from excessively high temperatures. It is absolutely essential to comply with the specified refrigeration temperature.
 
 
 
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 moulds on the rind or throughout. Most cheeses melt at cooking temperature.
 
 
 
Hundreds of types of cheese are produced. 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 mould, 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. Cheesemakers near a dairy region may benefit from fresher, lower-priced milk, and lower shipping costs. The long storage life of some cheese, especially if it is encased in a protective rind, allows selling when markets are favorable.
 
 
 
Cheese must be carried in well ventilated spaces, and on longer tropical voyages, in cool storage. Should not be loaded in too fresh or too old a state. Inadequate [[ventilation]] will [[lead]] to mould formation. Ventilation must be controlled as draughts can also prove damaging. Over-stow by heavy goods may lead to pressure damage, causing spoilage. Temperatures of over 12°C for an extended period will cause most types of cheese to become over-ripe, with risk of complete spoilage. Cheeses vary as to their sensitivity to warmth. Some types when subjected to heat may double or treble their volume, burst their packing and decompose. At temperatures below 0°C cheese will dry out and harden. Subject to loss in weight, especially if improperly stored over a long period. Depending on type, the loss may be as much as 5%. Cheese is very sensitive to odours and should be stored or stowed away from odorous goods. Any break in the packing may cause mould growth or allow the cheese to dry and crack. Mould found on some cheese may be superficial only and can often be wiped off and will not recur under proper stowage conditions. Internally the cheese should be sound and in a perfectly edible condition. Soft cheese should not be kept for over ten days. Other types of cheese may be kept for months at temperatures of 1°C / -4°C
 
 
 
Because of its considerable impact- and pressure-sensitivity, packages of this cargo must be secured in such a way that they are prevented from damaging each other. Spaces between packages or pallets must be filled, to prevent slippage or tipping. By selecting the correct packaging size or cargo unit (area module or area module multiple), holds can be tightly loaded (without spaces).
 
 
 
Temperature
 
A written cooling order must be obtained from the consignor before loading is begun. This order must always be complied with during the entire transport chain.
 
 
 
No generally applicable statement can be made as to temperature due to the large number of varieties and their different characteristics.
 
 
 
The following Table merely constitutes a rough estimate of applicable temperature ranges:
 
 
 
Designation                               Temperature range
 
Travel temperature (favorable temperature range)  
 
Processed cheese                  5 - 7°C
 
Tilsit                                               2°C
 
Edam                                               3 - 5°C
 
Emmental                               10 - 12°C
 
Gouda                                                 0 - 1°C
 
Roquefort                                 1 - 4°C
 
Feta                                                 2 - 6°C
 
Camembert                                 2°C
 
Cheddar                                                 0°C
 
Emmental                                 10 - 12°C
 
Curd cheese                                 5°C
 
 
 
If cheese is stored at excessively cold temperatures, its quality is degraded by drying-out, hardening, loss of aroma (ripening halts) and spoilage.
 
Excessively high temperatures trigger fermentation processes, which may cause the cheese to expand in volume and decompose. Acceptance of a consignment of prechilled cheese must therefore be effected quickly, as there is a risk of the cheese becoming overripe or melting if it becomes warm.
 
Temperature variations may cause the cheese to become crumbly.
 
 
 
Humidity/Moisture
 
Cheese requires particular temperature, humidity/moisture and ventilation conditions.
 
 
 
Designation                               Humidity/water content
 
Relative humidity                                 approx. 70 - 90% (depending on variety)
 
Water content                                 approx. 35% (hard and slicing cheese)
 
                                                              approx. 50% (soft cheese, curd cheese, processed cheese)
 
Maximum equilibrium moisture content approx. 70 - 90% (depending on variety)
 
 
 
Water content is very heavily dependent on variety. In general, it may be assumed that the harder the cheese, the less water it contains.
 
 
 
The cartons must be protected from all forms of moisture (seawater, rain and condensation water) and from excessive humidity levels. Typical patterns of moisture damage to a cargo are as follows:
 
 
 
• loose, mildewed, unattractive labels
 
• mold on and in cartons
 
• crushed cartons, due to moisture penetration, leakage, total loss
 
 
 
Ventilation
 
Cheese requires particular temperature, humidity/moisture and ventilation conditions.
 
 
Recommended ventilation conditions: circulating air, 15 - 20 circulations/hour; fresh air where required.
 
 
 
Inadequately ventilated cheese very rapidly succumbs to the risk of mold growth. In addition, drafts may cause losses in quality.
 
 
 
Biotic activity
 
Cheese displays 3rd order biotic activity.
 
  
It belongs to the class of goods in which respiration processes are suspended, but in which biochemical, microbial and other decomposition processes still proceed.
+
== Storage and Transport ==
 +
Cheese must be carried in well ventilated spaces, and on longer tropical voyages, in cool storage. Cheese should not be loaded in too fresh or too old a state. Inadequate ventilation will lead to mould formation. Ventilation must be controlled as draughts can also prove damaging. Over-stow by heavy goods may lead to pressure damage, causing spoilage. Temperatures of over 12°C for an extended period will cause most types of cheese to become over-ripe, with risk of complete spoilage. Cheeses vary as to their sensitivity to warmth. Some types when subjected to heat may double or treble their volume, burst their packing and decompose. At temperatures below 0°C cheese will dry out and harden. Cheeses are subject to loss in weight, especially if improperly stored over a long period. Depending on type, the loss may be as much as 5%. Cheese is very sensitive to odours and should be stored or stowed away from odorous goods. Any break in the packing may cause mould growth or allow the cheese to dry and crack. Mould found on some cheese may be superficial only and can often be wiped off and will not recur under proper stowage conditions. Internally the cheese should be sound and in a perfectly edible condition. Soft cheese should not be kept for over ten days. Other types of cheese may be kept for months at temperatures of 1°C / 4°C.<br><br>
 +
<b>Temperature</b><br>
 +
As to maximum duration of storage and/or recommended storage temperatures, no general guidelines can be given due to the significant range of cheese varieties. However, some rough estimates are:<br>
  
Gases
+
- Cheddar: 0°C (several months)<br>
In the event of extended storage, some cheese varieties may evolve toxic gases. Therefore, before anybody enters the hold or container, it should be ventilated and a gas measurement carried out where necessary.
+
- Gouda: 0°/1°C (4 months)<br>
 +
- Roquefort: 1°/4°C (4 weeks) <br>
 +
- Camembert: 2°C (6-8 weeks)<br>
 +
- Cheese, vacuum packed: 2°/4°C (approx. 6 months)<br>
 +
- Fresh cheese: 5°C (2-4 weeks)<br>
 +
- Emmental: 10°/12°C (several months)<br><br>
 +
If cheese is stored too cold, its quality is adversely affected by drying-out, hardening, loss of aroma (ripening halts) and spoilage. Too high temperatures initiate fermentation processes and resultant volume expansion and decomposure. Temperature variations can cause the cheese to become crumbly.<br><br>
 +
<b>Humidity / Moisture</b><br>
 +
Generally, the harder the cheese, the less water it contains. Extraneous moisture affection is manifested by particular mold patterns. <br><br>
  
 
==Risk factors==
 
==Risk factors==
Self-heating / Spontaneous combustion
+
- Odor<br>
No risk.
+
- Contamination<br>
 
+
- Mechanical influences<br>
Odor
+
- Toxicity / Hazards to health<br>
Active behavior Depending on the variety, cheese exudes an odor which ranges from slight and pleasant to extremely unpleasant.
+
- Shrinkage / Shortage<br>
 
+
- Insect infestation / Diseases
Cheese should not therefore be stored together with other odor-sensitive foodstuffs, such as [[butter]], [[lard]] and meat. Cheese must only be stowed together with [[fruit]] and vegetables with the consent of the consignor. Some cheese varieties should even be stowed separately from one another, so meaning that severe demands are made on the packaging in order to maintain quality.
+
<br><br>
 
 
Passive behavior Some cheese is highly sensitive to foreign odors.
 
 
 
Contamination
 
Active behavior Cheese does not cause contamination.
 
 
 
Passive behavior Cheese is sensitive to dust, dirt and [[fats]]/oils. Holds/containers must therefore be clean and in a thoroughly hygienic condition. Even slight soiling may give rise to objections.
 
 
 
Mechanical influences
 
Cheese is sensitive to pressure and impact loads. Improper handling or stowage may result in damage.
 
 
 
The packages must be secured appropriately in the hold or container so that they cannot move during transport. In the case of container transport, it is also important for the goods to be secured in the door area so that they cannot fall out of the container when the doors are opened.
 
 
 
Toxicity / Hazards to health
 
In the event of extended storage, some cheese varieties may evolve toxic gases. Therefore, before anybody enters the hold or container, it should be ventilated and a gas measurement carried out where necessary.
 
 
 
Shrinkage/Shortage
 
Loss of volume may be caused by breakage or theft.
 
 
 
Insect infestation / Diseases
 
Open, damaged packaging frequently results very rapidly in drying-out and mold growth. Infestation by insect larvae may also occur. Fine tracks on the surface indicate cheese mites. The infested places are dry and crumbly.
 
 
 
  
Note:
 
(Source including Transport Information Service of the GDV)
 
  
  

Latest revision as of 17:13, 12 January 2021

Infobox on Cheese
Example of Cheese
Cheese.jpg
Facts
Origin
  • Europe: Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Netherlands, France, England, Switzerland, Austria
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • America: Argentina
  • Australia: New Zealand
Stowage factor (in m3/t)
  • 1.13 - 1.81 m3/t (cartons)
  • 2.80 m3/t (rolls)
  • 2.50 m3/t (cartons in mesh containers)
  • 1.48 - 1.62 m3/t (boxes)
  • 1.00 - 1.34 m3/t (cartons)
  • 1.56 - 2.00 m3/t (mesh containers)
  • 1.84 - 2.00 m3/t (cartons from New Zealand)
  • 1.56 m3/t (boxes from Argentina)
  • 2.00 - 2.26 m3/t (Camembert in boxes)
  • 1.84 - 2.00 m3/t (Edam in boxes)
Humidity / moisture Cheese requires particular temperature (see text), humidity/moisture and ventilation conditions.
  • Relative humidity: approx. 70 - 90% (depending on variety)
  • Water content:approx. 35% (hard and slicing cheese), approx. 50% (soft cheese, curd cheese, processed cheese)
  • Maximum equilibrium moisture content:approx. 70 - 90% (depending on variety)
Ventilation Recommended ventilation conditions: circulating air, 15 - 20 circulations/hour; fresh air where required. Inadequately ventilated cheese very rapidly succumbs to the risk of mold growth. In addition, drafts may cause losses in quality.
Risk factors Cheese is sensitive to pressure and impact loads. Improper handling or stowage may result in damage.

Cheese

Description

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 moulds on the rind or throughout. Most cheeses melt at cooking temperature. Hundreds of types of cheese are produced. 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 mould, 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. Cheesemakers near a dairy region may benefit from fresher, lower-priced milk, and lower shipping costs. The long storage life of some cheese, especially if it is encased in a protective rind, allows selling when markets are favorable.

Cheese contains less water than milk. The amount of water in cheese greatly influences the storage life, and its sensoric properties. Many types of cheese are stored for a certain period, known as the ripening period, which may last for weeks or months. During ripening the cheese acquires special organoleptic qualities (appearance, texture, flavour). Microorganisms play an essential role in the development of these characteristics. After ripening (at a temperature between 8°C and 25°C for many types of cheese), the cheese should be kept at a temperature between 0°C and the ripening temperature, depending on how long time it is stored.
Fresh cheeses have a high water content and should be kept at chill temperatures.
Processed cheese is made from traditional cheese and emulsifying salts, often with the addition of milk, more salt, preservatives, and food coloring. It is inexpensive, consistent, and melts smoothly. It is sold packaged and either pre-sliced or unsliced, in a number of varieties. It is also available in aerosol cans in some countries.

Categorizing cheeses by firmness is a common but inexact practice. The lines between "soft", "semi-soft", "semi-hard", and "hard" are arbitrary, and many types of cheese are made in softer or firmer variations. The main factor that controls cheese hardness is moisture content, which depends largely on the pressure with which it is packed into molds, and on aging time.

The main factor in the categorization of fresh, whey and stretched curd cheeses is their age. Fresh cheeses without additional preservatives can spoil in a matter of days.

Some cheeses are categorized by the source of the milk used to produce them or by the added fat content of the milk from which they are produced. While most of the world's commercially available cheese is made from cows' milk, many parts of the world also produce cheese from goats and sheep. Double cream cheeses are soft cheeses of cows' milk enriched with cream so that their fat content is 60% or, in the case of triple creams, 75%.

There are at least three main categories of cheese in which the presence of mold is a significant feature: soft ripened cheeses, washed rind cheeses and blue cheeses.

Applications

Cheese is a very resourceful foodstuff.

Storage and Transport

Cheese must be carried in well ventilated spaces, and on longer tropical voyages, in cool storage. Cheese should not be loaded in too fresh or too old a state. Inadequate ventilation will lead to mould formation. Ventilation must be controlled as draughts can also prove damaging. Over-stow by heavy goods may lead to pressure damage, causing spoilage. Temperatures of over 12°C for an extended period will cause most types of cheese to become over-ripe, with risk of complete spoilage. Cheeses vary as to their sensitivity to warmth. Some types when subjected to heat may double or treble their volume, burst their packing and decompose. At temperatures below 0°C cheese will dry out and harden. Cheeses are subject to loss in weight, especially if improperly stored over a long period. Depending on type, the loss may be as much as 5%. Cheese is very sensitive to odours and should be stored or stowed away from odorous goods. Any break in the packing may cause mould growth or allow the cheese to dry and crack. Mould found on some cheese may be superficial only and can often be wiped off and will not recur under proper stowage conditions. Internally the cheese should be sound and in a perfectly edible condition. Soft cheese should not be kept for over ten days. Other types of cheese may be kept for months at temperatures of 1°C / 4°C.

Temperature
As to maximum duration of storage and/or recommended storage temperatures, no general guidelines can be given due to the significant range of cheese varieties. However, some rough estimates are:

- Cheddar: 0°C (several months)
- Gouda: 0°/1°C (4 months)
- Roquefort: 1°/4°C (4 weeks)
- Camembert: 2°C (6-8 weeks)
- Cheese, vacuum packed: 2°/4°C (approx. 6 months)
- Fresh cheese: 5°C (2-4 weeks)
- Emmental: 10°/12°C (several months)

If cheese is stored too cold, its quality is adversely affected by drying-out, hardening, loss of aroma (ripening halts) and spoilage. Too high temperatures initiate fermentation processes and resultant volume expansion and decomposure. Temperature variations can cause the cheese to become crumbly.

Humidity / Moisture
Generally, the harder the cheese, the less water it contains. Extraneous moisture affection is manifested by particular mold patterns.

Risk factors

- Odor
- Contamination
- Mechanical influences
- Toxicity / Hazards to health
- Shrinkage / Shortage
- Insect infestation / Diseases