Description
Clabber is a spontaneous, low‑temperature dairy fermentation that relies on native mesophilic lactic acid bacteria to acidify raw milk, causing casein aggregation into a soft curd.
Technical
During fermentation, lactose is converted by Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus into lactic acid, lowering the pH to 4.5–5.0. The acidification destabilizes casein micelles, leading to curd formation while CO₂ and minor alcohols are produced by heterofermentative species. The resulting product is a thick, milky curd that is both preserved and flavorful.
Science
Primary Reaction
C12H22O11 + 2 NAD+ → 2 CH3CH(OH)COOH + 2 NADH + 2 H+
Sensory Profile
Aroma ()
tangymilkyslightly yeastyearthyfresh
Origin & History
Civilization
Scandinavians and early American settlers
Era