What is the difference between milk and cheese?

* Milk is the liquid produced by mammals, primarily cows, for nourishing their young. It's a raw material.

* Cheese is created by coagulating milk, turning it from a liquid into a solid. This happens through the addition of rennet (an enzyme) or acid (like vinegar or lemon juice).

Here's a breakdown of the differences:

Milk:

* Liquid: Primarily water with dissolved nutrients like lactose, protein, and fat.

* Fresh: Perishable and needs to be refrigerated.

* Naturally occurring: Produced by mammals.

* Variety: Different types of milk exist (cow, goat, almond, soy, etc.)

Cheese:

* Solid: Formed from coagulated milk, which separates the milk solids (curds) from the liquid (whey).

* Processed: Made through a specific process involving coagulation and aging.

* Variety: Hundreds of cheese types exist, differing in texture, flavor, and aging methods.

* Longer shelf life: Can be stored for extended periods, depending on the type.

In essence, milk is the base ingredient, and cheese is the result of transforming milk through coagulation. This transformation leads to a change in texture, taste, and nutritional composition.