Comparison of the characteristics of teleme cheese made from ewe's, goat's and cow's milk or a mixture of ewe's and goat's milk

Teleme cheeses were manufactured from ewe's, goat's and cow's milk and mixture of ewe's and goat's milk. Physicochemical and biochemical analyses of the cheeses at various stages of ripening and storage were performed. Cheeses made from goat's milk had lower moisture content than those made from other milks. No significant differences in the mean values of protein, salt and water activity (a(w)) of the different cheeses at all ages studied were found. Cheeses from goat's and cow's milk had higher contents of fat and fat in dry matter (FDM) compared to that of cheeses from ewe's milk and mixed milk. Significant differences were observed in the yield and yield on 56% moisture: cheeses from ewe's milk gave the highest yield and cheese from cow's milk the lowest. Significant differences were found in the ashes content of the different cheeses at all ages. No differences in cholesterol and cholesterol/fat contents of the four types of cheeses were found. Main and trace elements showed variability among the four cheeses.