How does cream cheese differ from cottage cheese?

Cream cheese and cottage cheese have distinct characteristics that set them apart from each other. One of the primary differences is that cream cheese requires a starter culture of bacteria during its production process. This culture helps to ferment the cream, giving cream cheese its characteristic flavor and texture. In contrast, cottage cheese is made through a different process that primarily involves coagulating the milk and may not necessarily involve the same fermentation process.

The fermentation that occurs in making cream cheese contributes to its creamy consistency and tangy flavor, which can vary based on the specific types of bacteria used. This emphasis on bacterial cultures is a significant factor in the texture and taste profile of cream cheese, marking a clear difference from cottage cheese, which has a more granular texture and a milder flavor due to its production method.

This attention to the role of bacterial cultures provides insight into the overall differences in production and characteristics between the two cheeses.