Reis, Patrícia J. M.Malcata, F. Xavier2010-10-112010-10-112007REIS, Patrícia J. M.; MALCATA, F. X. - Improvements in small scale artisanal cheesemaking via a novel mechanized apparatus. Journal of Food Engineering. ISSN 0260-8774. 82: 1 (2007) 11-16http://hdl.handle.net/10400.14/2833The current research effort consisted on design, building and testing of a customized apparatus – a closed cylindrical, double-jacketed cheese vat, with a 50 L-capacity, aimed at manufacturing Serra da Estrela cheese (or similar ewe’s milk cheeses), provided with knives that play a double role – stirring and cutting, a combined device for draining and pre-moulding, and a cleaning-in-place system. This novel apparatus makes it possible to semi-automate cheesemaking in small scale – including a continuous cycle of hands-free sequential coagulation, cutting, syneresis and moulding of cheeses. It was successfully applied to ewe’s milk cheese manufacture, and was able to reduce duration of the overall cycle – with concomitant standardization of the process, and a significant (P> 0.05) increase in cheese yield and fat recovery.engDairy foodsTechnologyTraditional cheeseEwe’s milkYieldInnovationjournal article