22.4.4 FLAVOR DEFECTS AND SHELF LIFE
A main quality problem with yogurt is that souring tends to go on after delivery
to the retailer, and the product may be too acidic when consumed; the acid flavor
tends to be more pronounced in low-fat yogurt. Moreover, the yogurt may become
bitter due to excessive proteolysis; this would also depend on the starter strains
used. The development of these defects generally determines the shelf life. Of
course, the product is cooled to slow down acidification, but it is difficult to cool
it fast enough. Set yogurt is acidified in a package and cannot be stirred; stirred
yogurt should not be stirred too vigorously because it would then become too
© 2006 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
22.5 Nutritional Aspects 569
thin. And even at refrigerator temperatures, acidification and other changes caused
by the enzyme systems go on, albeit slowly.
Other defects may be caused by contaminating organisms, mainly yeasts and
molds. The off-flavors may be characterized as yeasty, fruity, musty, cheesy, or
bitter, and occasionally, soapy-rancid. A flavor threshold is generally reached at
a count of about 104 yeasts and molds per ml. The growth of these microbes is
largely determined by the amount of oxygen available, and hence by the headspace
volume and the air permeability of the container.
Another defect is insufficient characteristic flavor due to reduced acetaldehyde
formation (which is of less importance in yogurts with added fruits). It may be
due to a low incubation temperature, an excessive growth of the streptococci, or
the lactobacilli being weak aroma producers. Insufficient acidification, e.g.,
because the milk is contaminated with penicillin, also leads to a bland product.
Finally, off-flavors in the milk used for manufacture may naturally cause flavor
defects in the product.