All you need to know about cottage cheese

 

All you need to know about cottage cheese

Older people will remember cottage cheese as the ideal solution for dieting. Today, however, it is making a dynamic comeback as its nutritional value is recognized by proponents of healthy eating and many athletes. Our company can provide you with dairy machinery and all the equipment you need for cottage cheese production.

The history of cottage cheese

Its name means farmhouse cheese and we find it from the beginning of the 19th century in North America, where the traditional recipe comes from. Rumor has it that farmers in Europe have been making this special cheese for centuries. Immigrating to America in the early 1800s, they took with them the art of cheese-making. The continuation of history is well known, with the food industry taking advantage of the valuable nutritional value of this cheese.

How it is made

If the texture of the cottage cheese surprises you and makes you think that it is a highly processed cheese, the reality denies you. Based on the traditional cheese-making method, the cottage is made by adding some acid to pasteurized milk. This acid usually comes from good microorganisms that are added to milk. The latter, when they breathe, release lactic acid which in turn creates these small clots, or better agglomerates, in the milk. Then the cheese is drained, salt is added and the cottage cheese is ready.

Pour the milk into a large saucepan and place over medium heat, warming to 48 degrees Celsius. Remove from the heat and gently add the vinegar. Stir quickly for 1 to 2 minutes. The mixture will be separated from the milk. Cover and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Pour the mixture into a colander strainer and let it sit and drain for 5 minutes. Gather the edges of the fabric and rinse with cold water for 3 to 5 minutes or until the cheese is completely cold, squeezing the cheese with your hands all the time you wash it with cold water. Once it cools down, transfer it to a bowl. Add the salt and stir, stirring the cheese until it breaks into small balls. If you are ready to serve immediately, add the cream while stirring.

The valuable nutritional value of cottage cheese

We would say that the nutritional value of cottage is equivalent to that of yogurt. 100 grams of cheese, or about half a pack of the trade, contains just 70 calories, 12 grams of protein, 10% of your daily needs for vitamin B12, 5% of your daily needs for calcium The combination of low calories with high protein content makes the cottage the ideal choice for those who want to control their appetite, strengthen the rebuilding of the muscular system and follow a diet low in fat or careful in sugars.

The slow absorption of the protein called casein, which it contains, is likely to contribute to the gradual rebuilding of the muscles in the evening. Caution is needed by those who follow a diet without a lot of salt, as cottage cheese like other cheeses may not be an ideal daily habit. It is ideal for those who pay attention to their diet. It has a mild taste, without tensions, and is preferred by those who do not like the sour taste that some Greek light cheeses have, which are wonderful alternatives, without preservatives, but with more fat.

Does it contain preservatives?

Yes, as it is an industrial product that travels from the manufacturer to various countries and needs a long life. In the final stage of processing various improvers and preservatives are added, allowed. Reading the package, we find that it contains several acids (lactic, citric, acetic, sorbic) that extend its life, while there are some texture improvers, such as locust bean gum and modified starch.

How to eat cottage cheese

In the market we find it with full or reduced fat or even lean. It is its mild taste that makes it ideal to be included in many recipes, from salads – where it can even replace dressing – to dips or side dishes for meat and vegetables, while it can be eaten spread on bread, in sandwiches, to enter the mixture for pancakes, smoothies, as well as become a dessert if you add honey and fresh fruit.

Cottage cheese can help with weight management

It is no coincidence that most diets include cottage consumption. Of course, this does not mean that it is a means of weight loss. Cottage cheese is just a nutritious and enjoyable choice that can satisfy you. At the same time, as it is high in protein and low in calories, it can help you feel fuller for longer, so stay away from snacks that negatively affect your weight.