Why a unit is needed at all
Two bottles of liquid coagulant can look identical and differ substantially in clotting activity. Without a shared unit, 'one teaspoon per gallon' means nothing across products.
IMCU expresses activity per unit of product. A higher figure means more clotting activity in the same volume, so less product is needed for the same set.
How to use it in practice
- Read the IMCU figure and recommended dosage on your product label.
- Dose for your target set time, not for a number you read elsewhere.
- Record the set time you observe.
- Adjust in small steps, changing one variable at a time.
Bixa product strengths
Technical information to be supplied by Bixa.IMCU values for Bixa Liquid Microbial Rennet and Bixa Liquid Chymosin.
Frequently asked
Can I convert dosage between two coagulants using IMCU?
IMCU makes activity comparable, which helps as a starting point. Still run a trial batch: products differ in more than raw clotting units, and your milk and process will have the final say.
About the author
Bixa Products — Editorial team
Educational content written by the Bixa Products team, a family-owned cheesemaking ingredient company specializing in rennet and chymosin. Technical guidance is written conservatively: where a value depends on your milk, process or product, we say so instead of guessing for you.
- Family-owned cheesemaking ingredient company
- 30+ years in the Latin American cheesemaking market
- Specialists in rennet, chymosin and milk coagulation