The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cow breed and the addition of wild garlic on the sensory quality, volatile compounds, and physical properties of soft rennet-curd cheese. Cheese was produced from the milk of the Polish Holstein-Friesian breed Black-and-White type and the Polish Red breed, with or without the addition of wild garlic leaves. The samples were analyzed for their sensory quality, volatile compounds (using an electronic nose and GC/MS), color, and texture. The intensity of taste and smell characteristics depended only on the addition of wild garlic. PCA showed that the differences in volatile profiles resulted both from the milk cow breed and the use of wild garlic. Breed influenced almost all color parameters, while the addition of wild garlic affected all of them. The milk source, wild garlic addition, and storage duration influenced the majority of the textural parameters of the cheeses. The research conducted indicates that the addition of wild garlic leaves results in the enrichment of the volatile compound profile of cheese, making its taste and smell less milky and sour (p ≤ 0.001), while modifying its color and some textural properties (p ≤ 0.001); while, at the same time, not adversely affecting the sensory assessment of the color, appearance, texture, smell, or taste of the cheese (p > 0.05).
Keywords: chemical composition; color; flavor; herbs; soft cheese; texture; volatile organic compounds; wild garlic.