The composition of Iranian buffalo milk was analyzed and the effect of different parameters on the cheese making process was studied. The results showed that full fat buffalo milk resulted in higher yields (27–37%) than that observed for standardized milk (18–25%). Increasing the raw milk acidity up to 20° dornic increased the yield and decreased the fat, protein and lactose loses. However, further acidity elevation reduced the yield. Starter culture type and growth temperature before renneting significantly affected the yield. The thermophilic starter culture exhibited a better activity at higher temperatures but the mesophilic starter showed an optimum activity at lower temperatures. An equal mixture of thermophilic and mesophilic starters led to the highest yield values at 36 °C. Pasteurization resulted in significantly higher
yields but homogenization did not affect the yield, significantly. The results of this study revealed that buffalo milk could be
regarded as a good source for the production of feta cheese due to elevated amounts of fat, protein and Ca. The feta cheese yields
obtained from buffalo milk were higher in comparison with the
yields reported for cow milk (Fox, 2003). The effect of different
parameters on the yield and fat recovery was investigated and the
results showed that optimum conditions were needed to achieve
the higher yields