End of Project ReportThe Irish dairy industry is considered vulnerable to the price pressures
of the commodity market, on which it is highly dependent. Hence, a
broadening of the product base, would reduce exposure to this
market while offering the potential of exploiting the lucrative added
value market. This involves risks and challenges.
The cheese market in particular continues to grow and investment in
innovative products have in some cases been highly successful.
However, a number of obstacles confront Irish cheese manufacturers.
These include: seasonality of milk supply, strong tradition of Cheddar
production, knowledge gaps in industrial-scale specialty cheese
manufacture, and a reticence to commit significant investment,
particularly in plant.
To address some of these obstacles a project was undertaken with the
overall objective of developing a range of cheeses with novel flavour,
texture and appearance which were complementary to existing
manufacturing plant and technologies.
The project was built on the knowledge, skills base and flexible
cheese manufacturing plant developed in a previous study (see DPRC
Report No. 9), and had the following specific objectives:
* assess consumer preferences,
* develop a range of novel cheeses capable of being
manufactured wholly, or in part, on existing plant,
* determine the effects of manipulation of process variables on
novel hybrid composition and ripening, * assess market potential and consumer reaction to selected
cheeses,
* determine the relationships between cheese composition and
sensory characteristics, and
* present product options to Irish industry.Department of Agriculture, Food and the MArin