2.6. Color analysis
A CR-300 colorimeter (Minolta Co., Osaka, Japan) was used for instrumental color evaluation. The CIELab color scale (L*a*b*) was used with a D65 illuminant (standard daylight) and measuring angle of 10. The L*, a* and b* parameters were determined according to the International Commission on Illumination (CIE,1996). Using reference plates, the apparatus was calibrated in the reflectance mode with specular reflection excluded. A 10 mm quartz cuvette was used for the readings. Measurements were performed in triplicate using the inner section of the cheeses immediately after unpacking.