Chr. Hansen Offers Classic Feta Flavor and Texture in New Culture

05 Jun 2015 --- The launch of Chr. Hansen’s DVS WhiteClassic culture will enable producers of both classic Feta and non-PDO Feta to access the classic flavour and texture that consumers are looking for.

Classic Greek Feta, a white cheese in brine, has set the quality standard for the White Cheese category globally. Since 2002, when Greek Feta became a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), the consumer recognition of the product has been strengthened, and the growth of the White Cheese category as a whole is now projected at 19.3% growth from 2013 to 2019. Producing a Feta or White Cheese similar to Feta (Non-PDO Feta) is therefore of high value to cheese makers around the world.

Through thorough strain selection and production validation, Chr. Hansen is now proud to launch the Direct Vat Set solution, DVS WhiteClassic culture, designed to match Greek Feta’s balanced round flavors and creamy texture, while ensuring consistency and control.

“We know that producers of classic Feta have been looking for a DVS culture for quite some time. In 2011, we therefore set out to find new bacterial strains that could deliver the classical characteristics when produced with either sheep milk or cow milk, while complying with technical requirements,” explains Jeorgos Trihaas, Principal Scientist at Chr. Hansen. “The new DVS WhiteClassic culture range is able to control the acidification speed at and the low post-acidification maintains the moisture and flavor characteristics throughout shelf life, thus ensuring production and product consistency.”

DVS WhiteClassic is the name of a culture blend of the carefully selected thermophilic strains: Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. Bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. The specific strains represent a strong phage resistance as they are new in Feta and White Cheese production.

Katrine Thordal-Christensen, Global Marketing Manager, Chr. Hansen, says: “The White Cheese segment is receiving increasing attention globally, with projected strong growth in the coming years. Since Feta became a PDO in Greece, consumers have been looking to purchase similar products that live up to the same standards. DVS WhiteClassic culture delivers the desired balanced round flavors and creamy texture in both Feta and Non-PDO Feta, and presents itself with a silky surface which brings a competitive visual edge to the market.”

Thordal-Christensen told FoodIngredientsFirst: "The increasing integration of feta into the European consumption styles requires the need to differentiate and connect with consumers. The classic feta from Greece is highly positioned in the consumers minds and with DVS WhiteClassic, cheese makers are able to create this emotional connection through the texture and flavor characteristics."

DVS WhiteClassic culture has been tested by Greek Feta producers and the solution is rendering consistent and satisfactory results.

By Kelly Worgan