Bushra Griffith
Feta cheese is a popular Greek cheese with a distinct creamy and tangy flavour. It is traditionally made from sheep's or goat's milk and uses animal rennet, an enzyme derived from the stomach lining of young calves, lambs, or goats, to curdle the milk. As a result of the animal-derived rennet, strict vegetarians may choose to avoid feta cheese. However, it is important to note that most feta cheese today is made with microbial rennet, which is suitable for vegetarians.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does feta cheese use animal rennet | Feta cheese is traditionally made from sheep's or goat's milk and animal rennet, an enzyme derived from the stomach lining of suckling calves, lambs, or goats. However, most feta is now made with microbial rennet, and there are vegetarian-friendly feta cheese alternatives made with non-animal rennet or microbial enzymes. |
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Feta cheese and vegetarianism
Feta cheese is a popular Greek cheese with a creamy and tangy character and high versatility, making it a favourite among cheese lovers. It is made from sheep's or goat's milk and is often used in Greek dishes.
Feta cheese is not considered vegetarian because it contains rennet, an animal-derived enzyme from the stomach lining of suckling calves, lambs, or goats, used to curdle the milk. However, some feta cheese is made with microbial rennet or vegetable rennet, which is suitable for vegetarians.
Traditional feta cheese-making involves adding bacteria culture and rennet to warm, fresh whole milk. The mixture is then drained to remove the watery whey, forming a solid block. The curds are diced and left in the whey for ten minutes before being moved to moulds with small holes to facilitate draining. The moulds are stored at a specific temperature and turned periodically to ensure even drainage.
After drainage, the cheese is salted and placed in wooden barrels or metal containers for a few days. The feta is then matured in brine for 14-20 days, followed by refrigeration for at least two months to develop its unique taste. Barrel-aged feta has a superior flavour and is considered more authentic.
For strict vegetarians who avoid all animal ingredients, there are vegetarian-friendly feta cheese alternatives made with non-animal rennet or microbial enzymes. These alternatives offer similar taste and texture to traditional feta cheese, making them suitable for those seeking a vegetarian lifestyle without compromising on flavour.
Some popular vegetarian and vegan feta cheese alternatives include Violife, Follow Your Heart, Daiya, and nut-based cheeses. These alternatives can be purchased from specialty supermarkets, health food stores, and vegan grocery stores or made at home with pantry ingredients.
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Rennet in feta cheese
Rennet is an enzyme derived from the stomach lining of suckling calves, lambs, or goats that helps coagulate milk. Traditional feta cheese was made from sheep's or goat's milk and used animal rennet to curdle the milk. As rennet is derived from animals, strict vegetarians who avoid all animal products may choose to forego feta cheese containing animal rennet. However, it is worth noting that most feta cheese today is made with microbial rennet, which is suitable for vegetarians. These vegetarian-friendly feta cheese alternatives are made with non-animal rennet or microbial enzymes, offering a substitute for those embracing a vegetarian lifestyle.
Feta cheese is a popular Greek cheese known for its creamy and tangy flavour. While it is widely consumed by vegetarians, it is not considered vegan due to the presence of animal-derived ingredients, including animal rennet and sheep's milk. The use of animal rennet in feta cheese is a concern for some consumers, particularly strict vegetarians and vegans, who seek cheese alternatives free from animal-derived ingredients.
Some sources suggest that soft cheeses like feta rarely use rennet as their firming enzymes because it is usually unnecessary. However, other sources indicate that some feta cheese varieties do contain rennet, and it is challenging to determine which cheeses contain rennet without carefully reading the labels. The presence of rennet in feta cheese varies, and it is recommended to check the ingredients or seek specific vegetarian or vegan alternatives to ensure alignment with dietary preferences and restrictions.
While traditional feta cheese incorporated animal rennet, the contemporary feta cheese-making process has evolved to predominantly use microbial rennet. This shift towards microbial rennet addresses the concerns of vegetarians and consumers who wish to avoid animal-derived ingredients. Microbial rennet, or microbial enzymes, are widely used in the cheese industry due to their consistency and cost-effectiveness. They serve as a synthetic coagulant, providing the necessary coagulation without relying on animal sources.
In summary, while traditional feta cheese incorporated animal rennet, the contemporary feta cheese-making process primarily employs microbial rennet. This shift accommodates vegetarian preferences and dietary restrictions. However, given the diverse cheese-making practices, it is essential for consumers who wish to avoid animal rennet to scrutinise labels and opt for explicitly designated vegetarian or vegan feta cheese alternatives.
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Rennet-free alternatives to feta
Feta cheese is a soft, white, brined curd cheese that is synonymous with Greece, Greek food, and the Mediterranean. It is one of the most popular Greek cheeses due to its creamy and tangy character and versatility.
Some feta cheese contains rennet, which is derived from the stomach of ruminant animals like cows, sheep, and goats. However, not all feta cheese contains animal rennet, and there are rennet-free alternatives available, particularly in the UK, where a lot of feta is made using vegetable rennet.
- Violife's Just Like Feta: This vegan feta alternative is available in the UK and is mentioned by some as a tasty alternative, although the texture is said to differ from traditional feta.
- Follow Your Heart Vegan Feta: This vegan feta option is also available in the UK and is considered by some to be better than Violife's offering.
- Homemade Rennet-Free Feta: For those who enjoy making cheese at home, there are recipes for rennet-free feta cheese that use a combination of goat's and cow's milk to ensure curdling without the need for rennet. This method is similar to the preparation of Indian cheese, such as paneer.
- Indian Cheese Alternatives: If you are in a region where feta cheese is hard to come by, like Algeria, you can try local Indian cheese alternatives such as LeBerbere's Jben, which can be used in dishes that call for feta.
It is important to note that the availability of these alternatives may vary by region, and it is always a good idea to check ingredient labels to ensure the product meets your dietary requirements.
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Rennet in other cheeses
Rennet is a vital part of cheese production. It is an enzyme that coagulates milk, separating it into solids (curds) and liquids (whey). Rennet is traditionally sourced from the stomachs of young ruminants like cattle, goats, and sheep, giving it the name "animal rennet". Today, animal rennet is often a byproduct of the meat industry, specifically the beef industry, allowing more parts of the animal to be used.
While animal rennet has been used in cheesemaking for centuries, newer methods have been developed that use no animal products. This alternative form of rennet is called "vegetable rennet" or "microbial rennet" and can be sourced from plants like artichokes, thistle, and nettle, or derived from the Mucor miehei fungus. Many cheesemakers have adopted vegetable rennet to cater to vegetarians and vegans, and due to its lower cost compared to animal rennet.
However, some traditional European cheesemakers still prefer animal rennet, arguing that it makes their product more authentic and respects the long tradition of European cheesemaking. Additionally, animal rennet is said to have superior functionality and a positive impact on taste and texture when compared to vegetable rennet.
In the UK, most cheeses do not contain animal rennet, and British cheese is generally suitable for vegetarians. However, some traditionally made farmhouse cheeses in the UK, and many cheeses in Europe, still use animal rennet due to geographical indicators that preserve traditional methods of production. Examples of cheeses that may contain animal rennet include Parmesan, Cheddar, Swiss cheese, and goat cheese.
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Rennet and veganism
Rennet is an enzyme derived from the stomach lining of slaughtered calves, lambs, or goats. It is used to curdle milk and make cheese. Traditional feta cheese, for example, is made from sheep's or goat's milk and uses animal rennet. As rennet is an animal-derived product, strict vegetarians and vegans who avoid all animal ingredients may choose to avoid cheese that contains animal rennet.
However, it is important to note that not all feta cheese contains animal rennet. Most feta is now made with microbial rennet, which is a synthetically developed coagulant. In the UK, for instance, a lot of feta is made using vegetable rennet, which is vegetarian and safe for strict vegetarians to consume. There are also vegetarian-friendly feta cheese alternatives made with non-animal rennet or microbial enzymes, which offer suitable options for those seeking a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle.
For those who follow a vegan lifestyle, there are many ways to substitute feta cheese with vegan versions, allowing them to enjoy dishes containing feta. These vegan alternatives can be purchased from specialty supermarkets, health food stores, and specialty vegan grocery stores, or even made at home. Some popular brands offering vegan feta cheese include Violife, Follow Your Heart, and Daiya.
It is worth mentioning that some people who identify as vegetarians may still consume cheese that contains animal rennet. While cheese is not considered a vegan product due to its animal-derived ingredients, some vegetarians may be less strict with their dietary restrictions and continue to include cheese in their diets. Ultimately, the decision to consume cheese with animal rennet as a vegetarian or vegan is a personal choice that aligns with one's values and beliefs.
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Frequently asked questions
Feta cheese is often made with animal rennet, derived from the stomach tissue of a slaughtered calf, and therefore not vegetarian. However, some feta cheese is made with microbial rennet, which is vegetarian-friendly.
Feta cheese is made with animal-derived ingredients, including animal rennet and sheep's or goat's milk, so it is not vegan.
Rennet is an enzyme that helps coagulate the milk. Traditional feta cheese was made from sheep's or goat's milk and used animal rennet to curdle the milk.
You can check the ingredients list on the packaging to see if it contains animal rennet or look for vegetarian-friendly alternatives made with microbial rennet.
