Scientists Warn Climate Change Could Alter Cheese Flavor for the Worse
A report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) revealed that global warming could reduce crop yields and disrupt the food chain in unpredictable ways. But grains and vegetables are not the only products at risk; dairy products, particularly cheese, are also being impacted.
Recent research from Université Clermont Auvergne has linked the changing climate to a reduction in milk quality and, in turn, cheese. Researchers from France, renowned for its cheese production, found that one significant threat to cheese quality stems from how cows are fed. Climate change is causing grass shortages and pushing farmers to feed their cows more corn and other concentrated foods. Corn-fed cows yield a product that is far less flavorful than the milk from grass-fed cows.
Grass-fed cows’ milk is richer in omega-3 fatty acids, lactic acids, and the savory depth that makes cheese so delicious. Corn-fed cows, in comparison, produce milk with less nutritional value and a weaker flavor profile, meaning the cheese made from their milk simply doesn’t taste as good.
The Silent Cheese Killer
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It’s not just the cows’ diets that are under threat. Rising temperatures are significantly impacting dairy farming by affecting cow behavior. Cows naturally produce heat while digesting food, and in hot weather, they eat less to regulate their body temperature. This results in lower milk production and weaker immune systems.
Ultimately, milk quality decreases, and the cheese made from it loses its richness. Brazilian dairy farmer Gustavo Abijaodi confirmed these issues, noting that his cows’ milk contained less fat and protein during heatwaves.
Farmers Fight to Save Their Yield
Dairy farmers, especially those in areas already dealing with the brunt of climate change, are scrambling to find solutions. They’re looking for alternative feed sources that are more drought-resistant and higher-yielding than grass. However, the impact of these new feeds on milk quality and cheese flavor is still uncertain.
The Future of Cheese: Is It Doomed?
Image via iStockphoto/Eugenia Lucasenco
With climate change progressing at an alarming rate, the future of cheese looks uncertain. Experts agree that without addressing the effects of rising temperatures and changing diets on dairy cows, cheese’s flavor, texture, and nutritional value will continue to suffer.