Cream cheese
Cream cheese is a smooth and creamy dairy product that comes from cow's milk. It is a type of cheese known for its mild taste and soft texture, making it a versatile ingredient in both sweet and savoury dishes. Cream cheese is widely used in cooking and baking to add richness and creaminess to recipes.
To make cream cheese, fresh milk is first pasteurised to kill harmful bacteria. Then, lactic acid bacteria are added to acidify the milk, causing it to thicken. The mixture is further processed by adding additional cream, stabilisers, and salt before being strained to remove excess whey. The result is a spreadable, slightly tangy cheese with a smooth consistency.
Cream cheese is commonly used in a variety of dishes such as cheesecakes, frostings, dips, and spreads. It appears on food labels because of its ability to enhance the flavour and texture of foods, providing richness and creaminess. It is also used to add a tangy note to dishes like bagels with cream cheese, carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, or baked pasta dishes.
