Mastering Processed Cheese with Elevated Mouthfeel

The Challenge: Elevate processed cheese quality with superior hardness, meltability and stretchability.

2024.05 image x case study for emulsified sauces

Creating exceptional processed cheese isn't just about meeting basic functional requirements – it's about delivering the perfect balance of texture, melt performance, and consumer appeal that makes every application memorable.

Our global customer needed a solution that delivered consistent texture and stability across varying protein levels, while supporting product affordability and manufacturing efficiency. Consumer expectations continue shifting toward more health-conscious and convenient options, with high-protein positioning and indulgent eating experiences critical to market success.

Science

We approached this challenge by focusing on the critical functional attributes that matter most: meltability, stretchability, and consistency — all essential for consumer satisfaction and culinary performance.

We leveraged our ingredient structure-function, application expertise and our proprietary starch selection maps, plotted against attributes such as shreddability, meltability, hardness and speed of gelation, to understand how the composition and modification of different ingredients will impact the cheese formulation. Through targeted formulation strategies and deep application expertise, we optimized hardness, gelation speed, control of fat and moisture distribution after heating, and meltability The solution : superior stretchability and shreddability, even across varying protein levels.

Solutions

To meet the textural and functional demands of processed cheese, the team selected a tailored combination of our starches and hydrocolloids:

GENULACTA® Carrageenan LP-75 and LRA-50 – Hydrocolloids that provide controlled gelling and help stabilise texture during melting and stretching. They contribute to enhanced firmness and sliceability, while maintaining desirable melt behaviour.
BRIOGEL®, THINGUM®, STAMIST®, and MIRA-SET® – Functional starch solutions that support structure, viscosity and shred stability. These starches help manage water binding, reduce fat separation, and contribute to a smooth, creamy mouthfeel across a range of protein levels.

Together, these solutions enabled a cheese formulation that delivers strong technical performance while supporting indulgent, convenient eating experiences.

Process snapshot

Partnering closely with our customer, we focused on enhancing texture and mouthfeel while maintaining product stability and enhancing performance across applications like block and pizza cheese

Identifying key technical challenges — including meltability, stretchability, and consistency — was essential to achieving the desired consumer experience

Leveraging our formulation expertise - we enable superior hardness, meltability, and stretchability, even at reduced fat levels, improving texture and mouthfeel for improved eating experiences.

Results

The result was a cost-effective, process-friendly solution that met the needs of manufacturers and consumers alike. Key benefits included:

Affordable great taste with indulgent mouthfeel
Enhanced hardness and adaptability across protein levels
Perfect melt and stretch performance for pizzas, sandwiches and ready meals
Stable shreddability and fat or water distribution post-heating
Supports high or added protein positioning and nutrient-dense formats1

The solution aligned with consumer priorities for convenience, health and taste, while helping manufacturers differentiate their products and increase repurchase appeal2.

Society

This reflects how innovation can bridge the gap between indulgent eating experiences and practical daily needs. Customers gain productivity and innovation benefits, while consumers enjoy a variety of delicious cheese textures - from smooth, controlled melting in sandwiches to perfectly stringy stretch on pizza.

This presents a future where better-for-you does not mean compromising on flavour, functionality or enjoyment.

Consumer insight

Over 70% of global consumers say taste and texture remain the top two drivers of purchase in cheese products, even when seeking healthier or high-protein options.
More than 60% express a preference for convenient, easy-to-use formats that fit busy lifestyles.
This underscores the importance of developing solutions that deliver indulgent sensory experiences and nutritional appeal, without trade-offs in functionality or convenience.[1]