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> I just had pasta with gorgonzola cheese Well, some cheeses have (little to) no lactose, so maybe that's a consideration? "In the case of Gorgonzola DOP, lac

> I just had pasta with gorgonzola cheese Well, some cheeses have (little to) no lactose, so maybe that's a consideration? "In the case of Gorgonzola DOP, lactic bacteria consume lactose during the fermentation that occurs along the cheese-making process." https://en.gorgonzola.com/the-science-column/gorgonzola-cheese-and-lactose/ https://en.gorgonzola.com/the-science-column/gorgonzola-chee... "For some people who have determined they are only lactose intolerant, cheese can be eaten. This is because lactose is primarily in the whey, not the curds. When cheese is being made (with the exception of some soft cheeses that contain whey, like ricotta) the whey (liquid) is discarded and the lactose goes with it. " https://www.thespruceeats.com/lactose-intolerance-and-cheese-591197 https://www.thespruceeats.com/lactose-intolerance-and-cheese... "On every Nutrition Facts panel, you’ll find the amount of sugar in that food. If it says 0g, that means there’s no sugar… and no sugar in Cabot cheddar cheese means no lactose!" https://www.cabotcheese.coop/lactose-free-cheese/ https://www.cabotcheese.coop/lactose-free-cheese/

cheese_goddess 6y ago
>> "In the case of Gorgonzola DOP, lactic bacteria consume lactose during the fermentation that occurs along the cheese-making process." While lactic acid bacteria (LAB) indeed consume the lactose in cheese curds, not all of the lactose is consumed, especially so in fresh cheeses (like gorgonzola, mozzarella, feta, mascarpone, roquefort, camembert, brie, etc. etc.). Even hard cheeses may have a significant amount of lactose left particularly if they haven't aged for a very long time. Some hard cheeses are made in a special manner that purposely removes the lactose from their curd before forming, for example gouda (these are called washed-curd cheeses). The point of removing lactose in this way is to stop the LAB from fermenting it any further and giving the cheese an acidic, tangy taste; this is why such cheeses taste "sweet" (compared to e.g. gruyere or parmesan). As to the lactose being "primarily" in the whey, how "primarily" it is, is a matter of perspective. If sufficient lactose was not left in the curds, cheese would never be able to mature. Cheese matures because of the enzymes released by LAB while the cheese ripens (LAB also release enzymes as they die and their cells rupture, but the cause of death is desiccation because of the salt added to cheese and it takes a long time). This is for example why whey cheeses like ricotta, which are made by boiling whey to a high temperature (80C or 176F) do not mature: their LAB flora is boiled to death. Bottom line: lactic acid fermentation is not a sufficient explanation for the ability of people with "lactose maldigestion" to eat cheese, particularly so fresh cheese.
- moehm 6y ago
  Where can I learn more about cheese, what it tastes like, how it's made and what it contains?
- SoSoRoCoCo 6y ago
  Thanks cheese_goddess, I hope you get to use this account for future cheese-related discussion on HN. :)

cheese_goddess 6y ago

>> "In the case of Gorgonzola DOP, lactic bacteria consume lactose during the fermentation that occurs along the cheese-making process." While lactic acid bacteria (LAB) indeed consume the lactose in cheese curds, not all of the lactose is consumed, especially so in fresh cheeses (like gorgonzola, mozzarella, feta, mascarpone, roquefort, camembert, brie, etc. etc.). Even hard cheeses may have a significant amount of lactose left particularly if they haven't aged for a very long time. Some hard cheeses are made in a special manner that purposely removes the lactose from their curd before forming, for example gouda (these are called washed-curd cheeses). The point of removing lactose in this way is to stop the LAB from fermenting it any further and giving the cheese an acidic, tangy taste; this is why such cheeses taste "sweet" (compared to e.g. gruyere or parmesan). As to the lactose being "primarily" in the whey, how "primarily" it is, is a matter of perspective. If sufficient lactose was not left in the curds, cheese would never be able to mature. Cheese matures because of the enzymes released by LAB while the cheese ripens (LAB also release enzymes as they die and their cells rupture, but the cause of death is desiccation because of the salt added to cheese and it takes a long time). This is for example why whey cheeses like ricotta, which are made by boiling whey to a high temperature (80C or 176F) do not mature: their LAB flora is boiled to death. Bottom line: lactic acid fermentation is not a sufficient explanation for the ability of people with "lactose maldigestion" to eat cheese, particularly so fresh cheese.

moehm 6y ago
Where can I learn more about cheese, what it tastes like, how it's made and what it contains?
SoSoRoCoCo 6y ago
Thanks cheese_goddess, I hope you get to use this account for future cheese-related discussion on HN. :)