multi-component food fermentation curing or aging Modified through complex enzymatic or microbial processes resulting in physicochemical changes in particular with respect to texture, flavor, color or shelf life of the food product. Such changes may be induced by the introduction of certain chemicals, such as sodium sulfite, salt, sugar, or other substances, such as phenolics, in dry or liquid form and often aided by smoke. Cheese should always be indexed by the appropriate narrower term under *LACTIC ACID-OTHER AGENT FERMENTED*. http://www.langual.org/langual_thesaurus.asp?termid=H0253