SCIO Introduces Handheld Tool for Real-Time Cheese Moisture, Fat, and Protein Testing

 Cheesemakers, meet your new lab assistant. Used in both small creameries and large processing facilities, SCIO today announced the launch of its handheld Cheese Analyzer. This portable near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy device provides fast, accurate, and non-destructive analysis of fat, moisture, and protein content in all types of cheese and curd in under 10 seconds. No need to prepare the sample, just hold the device up to the cheese and with the click of a button you can get instant, cloud-synced results to guide decision-making across all stages of production.

The SCIO Cheese Analyzer is tailored specifically for cheesemaking. Whether on the floor of a large processing plant or in a small artisanal creamery, it delivers lab-grade results without the lab. There's no sample prep, no waiting, and no waste.

"Cheesemakers told us they were losing vats because they didn't have data fast enough," said Penny Brown, Senior Product Manager at SCIO. "So, we built something that gives them answers in seconds, requiring no cutting or grinding, and no lab delays. Just scan, decide, and take action."

A modern solution for a timeless craft

Cheesemakers have long relied on traditional lab testing methods to identify the moisture, fat, and protein content, which can take hours or days. For many, especially smaller producers, benchtop analyzers are too costly and can end up waiting days for results to come back from the laboratory. Even large industrial dairies face delays while waiting for the benchtop analyzer results to confirm the chemical composition.

The SCIO Cheese Analyzer eliminates the need for lab testing. Just scan the surface of the cheese to get instant results for:

●        Moisture content from 30% to 85%.

●        Fat content from 5% to 40%.

●        Protein content from 5% to 30%.

It works across all cheese types, including hard, semi-hard, soft, and fresh cheeses, and is optimized for use at temperatures between 59ºF and 104ºF (15ºC and 40ºC).

Unlike lab-based analyzers, SCIO's tool is lightweight, accurate, and proven in active cheesemaking environments.

Field-tested and workflow-ready

Early adopters describe the analyzer as "super easy and accurate," with one pilot user noting the tool "paid for itself in one vat" by helping them adjust curd composition in real time. Others are using the device to map moisture trends across the entire production process, from curd setting to post-brine, enabling smarter adjustments batch over batch.

With Bluetooth syncing and cloud integration, results can be instantly visualized, stored, and compared across production runs. The design includes a detachable contact surface for easy cleaning, a long-lasting battery with over 1,000 scans per charge, and a rugged IP53-rated exterior built for real-world conditions.

Producers can, for example, use the SCIO Cheese Analyzer to adjust curd firmness during cutting, avoid over-pressing semi-hard wheels, and verify spec before slicing or brining.

"We designed the Cheese Analyzer so that cheesemakers can make decisions with confidence," added Brown. "You get answers instantly so there's no need for guesswork."    

For additional information, visit scionir.com.