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Curdling is a crucial step in dairy production, particularly in cheese making. It involves the separation of milk proteins, primarily casein, into solid curds and liquid whey. This process is typically initiated by adding lactic-acid-producing bacteria and rennet to high-quality milk. The bacteria convert lactose into lactic acid, and rennet, an enzyme, aids in coagulating the casein. Some cheeses, like cottage cheese, are produced solely through acid coagulation. Curdling is essentially a form of food preservation through milk fermentation.123

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