What is cheese made of?

Cheese is made from the milk of mammals, most commonly cows, goats, or sheep. Here's a breakdown of the process:

1. Curdling:

- Milk is warmed to a specific temperature, then an enzyme called rennet is added. This enzyme causes the milk proteins (casein) to separate and clump together, forming curds.

- The curds are then separated from the liquid whey.

2. Draining and Shaping:

- The curds are drained and pressed to remove excess whey.

- Depending on the type of cheese, the curds may be cut, shredded, or molded into specific shapes.

3. Salting and Aging:

- Salt is added to the cheese, which helps to flavor it and preserve it.

- Many cheeses are then aged for varying lengths of time, which develops their flavor, texture, and consistency.

In summary, cheese is essentially curdled milk that has been drained, shaped, and aged. The specific flavors, textures, and appearances of different cheeses depend on factors like the type of milk used, the bacteria and molds added, and the aging process.