Patrick Oconnell
Parmesan cheese is a hard Italian cheese with a rich, sweet, nutty flavor. It is typically grated or shredded over pasta, rice, soups, and salads. BelGioioso Parmesan is a Wisconsin-made version of this Italian classic. It is made from part-skim milk and aged for over 10 months. BelGioioso uses raw milk for its Parmesan, which is aged for 10 months. The company's farmers have pledged not to treat their cows with synthetic hormones. BelGioioso Parmesan is also gluten-free and vegetarian. However, it is unclear whether BelGioioso Parmesan cheese is halal. While some sources indicate that Parmesan cheese is not halal due to the use of animal rennet, others suggest that there are halal-certified options available.
Is BelGioioso Parmesan Cheese Halal?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Halal Status | There is no clear answer. However, there is a halal-certified version of Parmigiano Reggiano, a similar cheese. |
| Ingredients | Milk, salt, and calf rennet. |
| Rennet Type | Animal rennet. |
| Rennet Source | Enzymes from the stomach of young mammals. |
| Rennet Availability | Animal rennet is rarely used due to its expense. |
| Alternative Rennet | Microbial rennet is commonly used. |
| Company Claims | The company states that the ingredients are milk, salt, and calf rennet. |
| Company Claims vs. Reality | Some sources suggest that animal rennet is halal as long as it is not from pork. |
| Company Pledge | BelGioioso uses only raw milk and pledges to use no synthetic hormones in their cheese. |
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What You'll Learn
- Parmesan is traditionally made using rennet, an enzyme derived from the stomach of young mammals, making it haram
- BelGioioso Parmesan is made with raw milk
- BelGioioso uses milk from cows that have not been treated with the synthetic hormone rBST
- BelGioioso Parmesan is aged for 10 months
- BelGioioso Parmesan is gluten-free
Parmesan is traditionally made using rennet, an enzyme derived from the stomach of young mammals, making it haram
It is unclear whether BelGioioso Parmesan cheese is halal. However, Parmesan is traditionally made using rennet, an enzyme derived from the stomachs of young mammals, making it haram.
BelGioioso Parmesan cheese is made from part-skim milk and aged over 10 months. The company uses raw milk for their Parmesan, which is aged for 10 months, as well as for their American Grana (aged 18 months), Romano (aged 5 months), Asiago (aged 5 months), and Sharp Provolone. The use of raw milk in cheese-making is allowed by the FDA for cheeses aged longer than 60 days. The aging process has a similar effect to pasteurization, killing off bad bacteria while preserving vitamins, nutrients, and flavour nuances.
The use of animal rennet in cheese-making renders it non-vegetarian and potentially non-halal. However, BelGioioso does not specify the type of rennet used in their Parmesan. While animal rennet is traditionally used in Parmesan cheese, microbial rennet is more commonly used in the USA due to its lower cost and higher purity.
According to a source, a halal-certified Parmigiano Reggiano exists, indicating that certain Parmesan cheeses may be considered halal. However, it is unclear if BelGioioso Parmesan is one of them.
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BelGioioso Parmesan is made with raw milk
BelGioioso Parmesan is made with fresh milk gathered daily from local farmers within a 30-mile radius of their cheese plants. The milk received in the morning is usually made into cheese on the same day. This fresh milk, which is rBST-free, produces a nice, clean flavour in the cheese.
BelGioioso Parmesan is crafted from raw cow's milk and aged for at least 10 months in special caves. The process of ageing the cheese preserves most of the flavour nuances, and BelGioioso's cheesemakers carefully inspect and hand-turn each wheel to ensure a consistent ageing process. This expert care is what develops the Parmesan's sweet, nutty flavour and aroma.
The FDA allows the use of unpasteurized raw milk for making cheeses that are aged longer than 60 days. This is because the aging of the cheese has a similar effect to pasteurization, killing bad bacteria while preserving vitamins and nutrients.
While BelGioioso does use raw milk for its Parmesan, it is unclear whether this means their Parmesan cheese is entirely halal. There are other ingredients and processes involved in making Parmesan that may or may not be compliant with halal requirements.
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BelGioioso uses milk from cows that have not been treated with the synthetic hormone rBST
RBST is a synthetized version of the peptide hormone naturally produced by cows' pituitary glands. Its use is controversial, and it has been banned in several countries, including the European Union, Canada, Japan, Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina. The controversy surrounding rBST stems from concerns about its safety for cows and potential health effects on humans.
The synthetic hormone is given to dairy cattle by injection to increase milk production. It has been shown to increase milk output by 11-16%. However, its use has also been associated with an increased risk of health issues in cows, including mastitis, foot disorders, reproductive problems, and lameness. In addition, the use of rBST in dairy cows has been linked to increased concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in milk, which may have implications for human health.
While the FDA, World Health Organization, and National Institutes of Health have stated that dairy products and meat from rBST-treated cows are safe for human consumption, there are ongoing concerns about the potential health effects. Some studies have suggested a possible link between higher blood levels of IGF-1 and an increased risk of certain cancers, including pre-menopausal breast cancer. However, other studies have failed to confirm these findings, and the exact nature of the link between IGF-1 and cancer remains unclear.
BelGioioso's commitment to using milk from cows not treated with rBST aligns with their guiding principle of never cutting corners and always doing what is best for the cheese. By avoiding the use of this synthetic hormone, they prioritize the welfare of the cows and address the concerns of consumers who prefer cheese made from milk produced without the use of artificial growth hormones.
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BelGioioso Parmesan is aged for 10 months
BelGioioso Parmesan is made from part-skim milk and aged over 10 months. This long ageing process gives the cheese its distinct hard texture and rich, sweet, nutty flavour. The ageing process also means that, unlike fresh cheeses, BelGioioso Parmesan does not need to be made with milk that is extremely fresh. In fact, the use of fresh milk for aged cheeses such as Parmesan or Provolone can result in more depth and nuances of flavour.
BelGioioso Parmesan is made with raw milk, which is heated to kill bad bacteria and preserve vitamins and nutrients. This process, known as pasteurisation, was discovered by French scientist Louis Pasteur in 1864. Pasteurisation has a similar effect to the ageing of cheese, which is why cheese aged for more than 60 days can be made with unpasteurised milk. The ageing process also preserves most of the flavour nuances of aged cheeses.
BelGioioso Parmesan is aged for 365 days and will continue to improve over time. However, the flavour may be affected if the package fails, as increased contact with air can cause mould. BelGioioso Parmesan is typically grated or shredded over pasta, rice, soups, and salads. Its distinct flavour also makes it perfect for sauces and snacks.
While BelGioioso does not state whether its Parmesan is halal, it is important to note that Parmesan is traditionally made using rennet, an enzyme found in the stomachs of young mammals. As rennet is restricted or haram, traditionally made Parmesan is not halal. However, most cheeses in the USA are made with microbial rennet, and there are halal-certified and kosher-certified versions of Parmigiano Reggiano available.
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BelGioioso Parmesan is gluten-free
BelGioioso Parmesan is a hard cheese made from part-skim milk and aged for over 10 months. It is produced by the BelGioioso company, which has stated that all of its cheeses are naturally gluten-free. This is because gluten comes from wheat, rye, and barley, which are not ingredients in cheese.
BelGioioso Parmesan is crafted from rBST-free milk. This means that the company's farmers have pledged not to treat their cows with the synthetic hormone recombinant bovine somatotropin (also known as recombinant bovine growth hormone). This hormone is a synthesized version of the peptide hormone produced naturally by cows' pituitary glands.
The company emphasizes its commitment to traditional cheesemaking methods and exceptional quality. Their Parmesan cheese is made with fresh milk gathered daily from local farmers. Each wheel of Parmesan is carefully inspected and hand-turned by master cheesemakers to ensure a consistent aging process. This attention to detail results in the development of the cheese's sweet, nutty flavor and aroma.
BelGioioso Parmesan is a versatile cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes. It can be shredded, shaved, or grated and added to salads, pastas, pizzas, meatballs, and vegetables. The rind can also be added to soups or sauces for extra flavor. Its rich, sweet, nutty flavor also makes it a perfect addition to sauces and snacks.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unclear whether or not this specific Parmesan cheese is Halal. However, there are Halal-certified Parmesan cheeses available.
Parmesan cheese is traditionally made from part-skim milk and calf rennet, which is an enzyme from the stomach of young mammals.
Belgioioso uses fresh, raw milk from local farmers for its Parmesan cheese.
Belgioioso Parmesan cheese is aged for at least 10 months.
No, all Belgioioso cheeses are made without any additives, fillers, or preservatives. They are also gluten-free and rBST-free.
