Lyophilization and Sensory Analysis of Traditional Artisan Turkish Cheeses

Türkiye boasts a rich cheese culture, shaped by its diverse geographical features and climatic conditions. Currently, 40 types of cheese in Türkiye have received geographical indication status, contributing to both the local economy and gastronomic tourism. This study aims to dry artisan Turkish che...

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Main Authors: Ebru Yıldırım, Celal Can Yalçıner, İlkay Yılmaz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IPEAK ACADEMY LTD 2025-05-01
Series:International Journal of Gastronomy Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://gastronomyresearch.com/index.php/ijgr/article/view/48
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author Ebru Yıldırım
Celal Can Yalçıner
İlkay Yılmaz
author_facet Ebru Yıldırım
Celal Can Yalçıner
İlkay Yılmaz
author_sort Ebru Yıldırım
collection DOAJ
description Türkiye boasts a rich cheese culture, shaped by its diverse geographical features and climatic conditions. Currently, 40 types of cheese in Türkiye have received geographical indication status, contributing to both the local economy and gastronomic tourism. This study aims to dry artisan Turkish cheeses using the lyophilization (freeze-drying) method, which is intended to improve shelf life, ease packaging and transport, and enable snack-type consumption while preserving nutritional value. To achieve this, Ezine, Kars Kaşar, Kars Gruyère, Smoked Circassian, and Divle Obruk Tulum cheeses were freeze-dried at -70°C for 24 hours using a lyophilization device. Following the drying process, the sensory properties of the cheeses were evaluated by 10 trained panelists based on attributes, such as color, odor, texture, crispness, aroma, mouthfeel, and overall acceptability. According to the results, all cheese samples received above-average scores (mean ± SD): Ezine: 4.50 ± 1.27; Smoked cheese: 4.50 ± 0.71; Kars Kaşar: 4.60 ± 0.70; Kars Gruyère: 4.09 ± 0.94; Divle Obruk: 4.82 ± 0.40. The findings obtained in this study indicated that consuming cheese in an alternative form is feasible. It was observed that the cheeses retained their color, taste, shape, and aroma, and their potential to return to their original state upon rehydration was also evaluated. This alternative form may contribute to the promotion of traditional Turkish products and increase appeal among younger generations. Further studies focusing on packaging and rehydration can be conducted for commercialization efforts in the future.
format Article
id doaj-art-e7ca38bc236346e789ae410c256ca8b7
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issn 2980-1532
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher IPEAK ACADEMY LTD
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series International Journal of Gastronomy Research
spelling doaj-art-e7ca38bc236346e789ae410c256ca8b72025-08-20T03:13:30ZengIPEAK ACADEMY LTDInternational Journal of Gastronomy Research2980-15322025-05-0141203310.56479/ijgr-4849Lyophilization and Sensory Analysis of Traditional Artisan Turkish CheesesEbru Yıldırımhttps://orcid.org/0009-0009-7640-2341Celal Can Yalçınerhttps://orcid.org/0009-0000-6436-2279İlkay Yılmazhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-5938-3112Türkiye boasts a rich cheese culture, shaped by its diverse geographical features and climatic conditions. Currently, 40 types of cheese in Türkiye have received geographical indication status, contributing to both the local economy and gastronomic tourism. This study aims to dry artisan Turkish cheeses using the lyophilization (freeze-drying) method, which is intended to improve shelf life, ease packaging and transport, and enable snack-type consumption while preserving nutritional value. To achieve this, Ezine, Kars Kaşar, Kars Gruyère, Smoked Circassian, and Divle Obruk Tulum cheeses were freeze-dried at -70°C for 24 hours using a lyophilization device. Following the drying process, the sensory properties of the cheeses were evaluated by 10 trained panelists based on attributes, such as color, odor, texture, crispness, aroma, mouthfeel, and overall acceptability. According to the results, all cheese samples received above-average scores (mean ± SD): Ezine: 4.50 ± 1.27; Smoked cheese: 4.50 ± 0.71; Kars Kaşar: 4.60 ± 0.70; Kars Gruyère: 4.09 ± 0.94; Divle Obruk: 4.82 ± 0.40. The findings obtained in this study indicated that consuming cheese in an alternative form is feasible. It was observed that the cheeses retained their color, taste, shape, and aroma, and their potential to return to their original state upon rehydration was also evaluated. This alternative form may contribute to the promotion of traditional Turkish products and increase appeal among younger generations. Further studies focusing on packaging and rehydration can be conducted for commercialization efforts in the future.https://gastronomyresearch.com/index.php/ijgr/article/view/48lyophilizationcheesefreeze-dryingartisangeographical indication
spellingShingle Ebru Yıldırım
Celal Can Yalçıner
İlkay Yılmaz
Lyophilization and Sensory Analysis of Traditional Artisan Turkish Cheeses
International Journal of Gastronomy Research
lyophilization
cheese
freeze-drying
artisan
geographical indication
title Lyophilization and Sensory Analysis of Traditional Artisan Turkish Cheeses
title_full Lyophilization and Sensory Analysis of Traditional Artisan Turkish Cheeses
title_fullStr Lyophilization and Sensory Analysis of Traditional Artisan Turkish Cheeses
title_full_unstemmed Lyophilization and Sensory Analysis of Traditional Artisan Turkish Cheeses
title_short Lyophilization and Sensory Analysis of Traditional Artisan Turkish Cheeses
title_sort lyophilization and sensory analysis of traditional artisan turkish cheeses
topic lyophilization
cheese
freeze-drying
artisan
geographical indication
url https://gastronomyresearch.com/index.php/ijgr/article/view/48
work_keys_str_mv AT ebruyıldırım lyophilizationandsensoryanalysisoftraditionalartisanturkishcheeses
AT celalcanyalcıner lyophilizationandsensoryanalysisoftraditionalartisanturkishcheeses
AT ilkayyılmaz lyophilizationandsensoryanalysisoftraditionalartisanturkishcheeses