Kamil Perry
Cheese is commonly perceived as vegetarian-friendly, but not all cheese is suitable for a vegetarian diet. The use of animal enzymes in many varieties makes cheese unsuitable for vegetarians. The biggest concern with cheese for vegetarians is animal rennet, which is an enzyme extracted from the stomach lining of ruminant animals, such as calves, lambs, and goats. Rennet is used in the cheese-making process to coagulate milk, creating texture and flavour. While some cheeses are made with plant-based rennet, others use animal rennet, making them unsuitable for vegetarians. Therefore, it is important for vegetarians to read labels and look for keywords like animal enzymes or traditional rennet to determine if a cheese is vegetarian-friendly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Whether cheese is vegetarian-friendly | Depends on the type of vegetarianism followed |
| Type of vegetarianism | Lacto-ovo-vegetarians, pesco-vegetarians, vegans |
| Vegan-friendly cheese | Not common, Emborg is a brand that makes vegan cheese |
| Vegetarian-friendly cheese | Follow Your Heart, Tillamook, BelGioioso |
| Animal product used in cheese | Rennet, an enzyme extracted from the stomach lining of ruminant animals |
| Vegetarian rennet | Made via fermentation process using bacteria, fungi, or yeasts |
| How to identify vegetarian cheese | Look for keywords like microbial enzyme, vegetarian enzyme, or kosher-certified cheese |
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What You'll Learn
Not all cheese is vegetarian-friendly
Whether cheese is vegetarian-friendly or not depends on the type of vegetarianism one follows. Vegans, for instance, avoid all animal products or byproducts, including dairy and milk, and therefore do not consume cheese. Lacto- and lacto-ovo-vegetarians, on the other hand, do not require the slaughter of an animal and hence often allow cheese in their diets. However, it is important to note that not all cheese is vegetarian-friendly, as some contain animal byproducts such as rennet.
Rennet is a combination of enzymes that work together to thicken dairy-based milk. It is traditionally sourced from the stomach lining of ruminant animals, including young calves, lambs, and goats. This means that cheeses made with animal rennet can trigger symptoms in those with alpha-gal syndrome and may be unsuitable for stricter vegetarians. However, it is worth noting that some forms of rennet are produced without the use of animals. Vegetable rennet, for example, is made via a fermentation process in which bacteria, fungi, or yeasts are mixed with rennet-producing animal genes to create an enzyme that mimics chymosin. Plant rennet, sourced from thistle plants like artichokes or nettles, is another alternative used in many artisanal cheeses.
To ensure that your cheese is vegetarian-friendly, it is important to read the label carefully. Look for keywords like "animal enzymes", "traditional rennet", or "pepsin" to indicate the presence of animal rennet. Plant-based rennet, on the other hand, will typically be listed as \"thistle rennet\", "vegetarian rennet", or simply "plant rennet". If the packaging only reads "enzymes" without specifying that the product is vegetarian-friendly, it is safe to assume that animal rennet was used. To be even more cautious, look for kosher-certified cheeses, as these will not contain animal rennet according to Jewish religious laws.
While it may be challenging to find vegetarian-friendly cheese, especially in certain regions, there are some brands that offer suitable options. For example, BelGioioso sells a vegetarian Parmesan-style cheese, and Tillamook offers a range of vegetarian cheeses. Additionally, some stores provide vegetarian alternatives to common cheeses, such as vegetarian parm. It is always a good idea to read labels carefully and, if necessary, reach out to customer support to clarify the source of enzymes used in the cheese-making process.
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Rennet: an animal byproduct used in cheesemaking
Whether cheese is vegetarian-friendly depends on the type of vegetarianism followed. Vegans, for instance, avoid all animal products or byproducts, including dairy and milk. Most vegetarians avoid products that require the slaughter of an animal, and because cheesemaking does not fall under this practice, many include cheese in their diet. However, some cheeses are made using animal byproducts for texture and taste, including an animal byproduct called rennet.
Rennet is a combination of enzymes that work together to thicken dairy-based milk. Chymosin comprises 90% of the enzymes in rennet, while the remaining 10% consists of lipase and pepsin. Together, these enzymes work to curdle casein, the protein found in dairy-based cheese. While there are different types of rennet, the most commonly used one is found within the stomach lining of ruminant animals, including cows, rabbits, pigs, and goats. This type of rennet is considered traditional rennet since it has been used for the longest time and is integral to producing many classic old-world cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano and English Cheddars.
Some forms of rennet are produced without the use of animals. Vegetable rennet, for instance, is made via a fermentation process in which bacteria, fungi, or yeasts are mixed with rennet-producing animal genes to create an enzyme that acts like chymosin. Plant rennet is another type of rennet that is sourced from thistle plants like artichokes or nettles and is used in many artisanal cheeses from Portugal. Mold rennet can also act like chymosin, but it is not typically used in cheesemaking as it can impart a bitter taste.
Microbial rennet is another type of rennet that is not derived from animals. It is an enzyme harvested from the fermentation of a fungus called Rhizomucor miehei. Chymax is a type of microbial rennet that uses genetic material (DNA) harvested from animal stomach cells, which are then grown out in yeast, fermented, and filtered. While the final product does not contain animal material, some may still consider it to be in a "rennet gray zone."
The best way to know if your cheese contains rennet or other animal byproducts is to read the label. Cheesemakers who use plant-based rennet will typically list this as thistle rennet, vegetarian rennet, or plant rennet in the ingredient list. However, it is not required by the FDA for cheesemakers to disclose the type of rennet used, so if the packaging only reads "enzymes" without any indication of being vegetarian-friendly, it can be assumed that animal rennet was used. To be on the safe side, one can look for kosher-certified cheeses, as these will not contain animal rennet according to Jewish religious laws.
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Types of rennet: animal, microbial, plant, and mould
The consumption of cheese by vegetarians depends on the type of vegetarianism one follows. While most vegetarians avoid products that require the slaughter of an animal, some cheeses are made using animal byproducts, such as rennet, which comes from the stomach lining of ruminant animals. This makes the cheese unsuitable for stricter vegetarians.
There are several types of rennet used in the production of cheese, including animal, microbial, plant, and mould rennet. Animal rennet is derived from the stomach lining of ruminant animals, such as cows, rabbits, pigs, goats, and lambs. It is considered a traditional form of rennet and has been used for a long time, especially in Old World cheeses. However, due to the limited availability of animal rennet, cheese makers have explored alternative sources of enzymes, such as microbial, plant, and mould rennet.
Microbial rennet is derived from moulds that produce a coagulating enzyme. It is considered vegetarian-friendly, but it may occasionally cause bitterness in aged cheeses. Vegetable rennet, on the other hand, is produced through a fermentation process where bacteria, fungi, or yeasts are combined with rennet-producing animal genes to create an enzyme similar to chymosin. This type of rennet is used in many artisanal cheeses from Portugal and Spain, such as those made with cardoon thistle for coagulation.
Plant rennet is another alternative to animal rennet and is sourced from thistle plants like artichokes or nettles. It is used in various artisanal cheeses and is suitable for producing kosher and halal cheeses. Mould rennet, while not commonly used in cheesemaking due to its potential to impart a bitter taste, can also act as a substitute for animal rennet.
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How to know if cheese contains rennet
Whether cheese is vegetarian-friendly depends on the type of vegetarianism one follows. Most vegetarians avoid products that require the slaughter of an animal. Since cheesemaking does not fall under this practice, many vegetarians include cheese in their diet. However, some cheeses are made using animal byproducts for texture and taste, such as rennet.
Rennet is a combination of enzymes that curdle the casein in milk, which is the protein found in dairy-based cheese. The most commonly used type of rennet is derived from the stomach lining of animals, including cows, rabbits, pigs, and goats.
- Read the label: Look for keywords like "rennet", "animal enzymes", "traditional rennet", or "pepsin" to indicate the presence of animal rennet. If the label mentions "thistle rennet", "vegetarian rennet", or "plant rennet", it indicates the use of plant-based rennet. However, if the packaging only mentions “enzymes” without specifying it as vegetarian-friendly, it likely indicates the use of animal rennet.
- Look for kosher-certified cheeses: According to Jewish religious laws, milk and meat should not be mixed. Therefore, kosher cheese will not contain animal rennet. Look for a certified kosher, K, or KU label when shopping for cheese.
- Choose softer cheeses: Soft cheeses like mozzarella, paneer, ricotta, and cream cheese often use acids like lemon juice, vinegar, or whey as coagulants instead of rennet, making them safer options for vegetarians.
- Check the source of rennet: Some cheeses may specify the source of rennet used, such as Mucor miehei or microbial rennet, indicating that it is suitable for vegetarians.
- Opt for vegetarian-friendly brands: Some brands, like Tillamook, offer a wide range of vegetarian cheeses. Additionally, you can explore vegan cheese options if you want to avoid animal-based ingredients altogether.
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Vegetarian alternatives and brands
Whether cheese is vegetarian-friendly depends on the type of vegetarianism followed. Vegans, for instance, avoid all animal products or byproducts, including dairy and milk, and therefore do not consume cheese. Lacto- and lacto-ovo-vegetarians, on the other hand, do not have such dietary restrictions and may consume cheese. However, even for these vegetarians, some cheeses may not be suitable, as certain cheeses are made using animal byproducts like rennet, which comes from the stomach lining of ruminant animals.
Vegetarians who wish to avoid cheese containing animal rennet can look for keywords like "vegetarian", "microbial enzyme", or "vegetable rennet" on the labels. They can also look for kosher-certified cheeses, as these will not contain animal rennet according to Jewish religious laws. Some grocery stores in the US, such as Whole Foods, offer a variety of vegetarian cheese options, including their own store brand. Additionally, some mass-produced cheeses are less likely to contain animal rennet, while many artisanal cheeses do.
- Emborg (vegan cheese)
- Tillamook
- Follow Your Heart (vegan cheese)
- Trader Joe's (vegetarian Parmesan)
- BelGioioso (vegetarian Parmesan)
- Frigo
- Organic Valley
- Stella
- Haolam
- Migdal
- Kroger (specifies the use of vegetarian or animal rennet)
- Cabot (lactose-free)
- Kraft (Cracker Barrel cheese, check the label for lipase)
- Armstrong (check the label for lipase)
- Cornucopia institute (ranks brands based on humane treatment of animals)
For those looking for vegan cheese options, here are some brands to consider:
- Go Veggie (offers slices and cream cheeses)
- Tofutti (however, it does not melt)
- Daiya (offers shreds, slices, sticks, cream cheese, and frozen products)
- Darë Vegan Cheese (plant-based, lactose-free, and gluten-free options)
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the type of vegetarianism you follow. Most vegetarians avoid products that require the slaughter of an animal, and because cheesemaking does not fall into this practice, many vegetarians include cheese in their diet. However, some cheeses contain animal byproducts like rennet, which is made from the stomach lining of ruminant animals. These cheeses may not be suitable for stricter vegetarians.
The best way to know is to read the label. Look for keywords like "rennet", "animal enzymes", "traditional rennet", or "pepsin". If the packaging only reads “enzymes" and does not state that the product is vegetarian-friendly, it likely contains animal rennet. Some cheeses are labelled as kosher, which means they do not contain animal rennet.
Softer cheeses like mozzarella, paneer, ricotta, and cream cheese often use whey or another type of acid as a coagulant instead of rennet, so they are usually safe for vegetarians. Some brands that offer vegetarian cheeses include Emborg, Tillamook, and BelGioioso.
