Physical and sensory attributes are important factors that influence food acceptance and choices. In this study, sensory and texture properties of nonfat yogurts made from reconstituted skim milk powder (SMP) fortified with SMP as a control, whey protein isolate (WPI), yogurt texture improver (TI), and sodium caseinate (NaCn) were investigated over a 12-d storage period. Viscosity and syneresis were measured as physical quality parameters. Descriptive sensory analysis was carried out for each sample to determine the profiles of the products. Consumer acceptance testing (n = 143 consumers) was also conducted to measure the acceptability of yogurts; panelists were asked to rank their preference for the different yogurt samples. Differences among physical and sensory attributes of yogurts were defined. Addition of WPI improved the physical properties of yogurts, resulting in the highest viscosity and the lowest syneresis. On the other hand, yogurt with WPI did not have desirable sensory properties. The descriptive panel indicated that yogurt with WPI had the lowest fermented flavor attribute. In general, yogurts fortified with NaCn and TI displayed better physical and sensory properties than did control and WPI-fortified yogurts. Consumer testing showed that yogurts with NaCn and TI were not different from the control with regard to their flavor acceptability. Yogurts fortified with NaCn and TI were the most preferred samples by Turkish consumers.

Ezine cheese is a white pickled cheese ripened in tinplate containers for at least 8 mo. A mixture of milk from goat, sheep, and cow is used to make Ezine cheese. Ezine cheese has geographical indication status. The purposes of this study were to determine and compare the changes in basic composition, aroma, and sensory characteristics, and proteolytic activity of Ezine cheese stored in tinplate containers and plastic vacuum packages during storage. Aroma-active compounds were determined by thermal desorption gas chromatography olfactometry. To evaluate the proteolytic activity, casein and nitrogen fractions were determined. The results indicated that compounds identified at high intensities were dimethyl sulfide, ethyl butyrate, hexanal, ethyl pentanoate, (Z)-4-heptenal, 1-octen-3-one, acetic acid, butyric acid, and p-cresol. Characteristic descriptive terms were cooked, whey, creamy, animal-like, sour, and salty. The level of proteolysis increased in Ezine cheese during storage. Ezine cheese can be ripened in small-size packaging after 3 mo of storage. Approximately 6 mo is sufficient to produce the characteristic properties of Ezine cheese.