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Cheesemaking Science

What Temperature Should Milk Be When Adding Rennet?

Short answer

Rennet is added within the temperature range specified by the cheese style you are making, and that range is part of your recipe rather than a universal figure. Coagulation slows noticeably when milk is below the intended range.

By Bixa Products, Editorial teamUpdated March 4, 20264 min read

Follow the style, then hold it steady

Each style has its own addition temperature, and a good recipe states it. The practical skill is holding that temperature evenly across the whole vat while the milk is undisturbed.

The two mistakes that cause most problems

  • Measuring at the surface while the bottom of the vat is several degrees cooler.
  • Letting the vat drift down during the set because the room is cold or the jacket is off.

About the author

Bixa ProductsEditorial 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

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