Randy Chandler
Tillamook is a well-known dairy producer based in Oregon, United States, that makes a variety of cheeses and ice creams. Tillamook's Kosher Medium Cheddar Cheese is vegetarian-friendly, as it is made with a fermentation-produced rennet that has Kosher and Halal certification. However, not all Tillamook cheeses are vegetarian, and some of their cheeses, such as the 2012 and 2013 Maker's Reserve Extra Sharp White Cheddar, are not suitable for vegetarians.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vegetarian-Friendly | Yes, except for 2012 and 2013 Maker's Reserve Extra Sharp White Cheddar |
| Kosher | Yes, Medium Cheddar is Kosher and Halal certified |
| Ingredients | Cultured Milk, Salt, Enzymes, Annatto (a natural, plant-based food colouring) |
| Storage | Should be stored in the fridge, ideally in the coldest part (around 40 degrees) |
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What You'll Learn
Tillamook Cheese is mostly vegetarian-friendly
The exceptions to this are the 2012 and 2013 Maker's Reserve Extra Sharp White Cheddar. However, Tillamook produces a range of other cheddar cheeses that are suitable for vegetarians. This includes the Medium Cheddar, Medium White Cheddar, Kosher Medium Cheddar, Sharp Cheddar, Sharp White Cheddar, and many more.
The Kosher Medium Cheddar, for example, is made with a fermentation-produced rennet that has Kosher and Halal certification and is vegetarian-friendly. It has the same ingredients as the traditional Medium Cheddar but is produced and packaged under official rabbinical guidance.
The company also uses annatto, a natural, plant-based food colouring extracted from the seeds of tropical annatto trees, in its cheese. Annatto does not affect the flavour of the cheese and is added to ensure a consistent colour across its products.
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Exceptions include the 2012 and 2013 Maker's Reserve Extra Sharp White Cheddar
Tillamook cheese is generally vegetarian-friendly. However, there are a few exceptions, notably the 2012 and 2013 Maker's Reserve Extra Sharp White Cheddar varieties.
The 2012 Maker's Reserve Extra Sharp White Cheddar is characterised by its complex, bold flavours that develop with age. This vintage cheese is aged for at least three years, resulting in a unique taste profile that differs from its subsequent vintages. The cheese is described as having lush tropical flavours with warm, toasty notes of brown butter and macadamia nuts.
The 2013 vintage from the same Maker's Reserve series also presents a bold and complex flavour profile. Like its predecessor, it is aged for a minimum of three years, allowing the flavours to evolve and differentiate each vintage.
These two particular vintages of Tillamook's Maker's Reserve Extra Sharp White Cheddar are not suitable for vegetarians. However, the company does offer a range of other cheeses that are vegetarian-friendly. For instance, their Medium Cheddar Cheese is produced and packaged under rabbinical guidance and uses a fermentation-produced rennet that is certified Kosher and Halal, making it suitable for vegetarian consumption.
Additionally, Tillamook offers several white cheddar cheeses that do not contain annatto, a natural plant-based food colouring extracted from the seeds of the tropical annatto tree. Annatto is commonly added to cheddar cheese to regulate colour variations in milk that can occur due to seasonal changes in a cow's diet. While annatto does not affect the flavour of the cheese, its absence results in a whiter cheese that some consumers may prefer.
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Kosher Medium Cheddar is vegetarian-friendly
Tillamook Cheese is a well-known dairy product brand in Oregon and its neighbouring states. While none of their cheeses are vegan, most of their cheeses are vegetarian-friendly. The exceptions are the 2012 and 2013 Maker's Reserve Extra Sharp White Cheddar.
The Kosher Medium Cheddar is indeed vegetarian-friendly. It is produced and packaged under official rabbinical guidance, and it is made with a fermentation-produced rennet that has Kosher and Halal certification. The Kosher Medium Cheddar has the same ingredients as the traditional Medium Cheddar, with the addition of annatto, a natural, plant-based food colouring extracted from the seeds of tropical annatto trees. Annatto is added to ensure that each loaf of Tillamook cheese is the same colour, and it does not affect the flavour of the cheese.
The process of making Tillamook Cheddar involves heat-shocking the milk, which raises the temperature enough to kill any bad bacteria while preserving the milk's beneficial enzymes. These enzymes are important as the cheddar's flavour, body, and texture depend on them.
The Kosher Medium Cheddar is aged over 60 days and can be paired with a variety of wines, such as Pinot Noir, Sparkling Wine, or champagne.
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Tillamook claims their cows are 100% organic and protein-fed
Tillamook cheese is made from milk sourced from cows. While Tillamook claims that its cows are pasture-raised and live in humane conditions, the reality may be different. The Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit against the Tillamook County Creamery Association, alleging that the company misrepresented the source of its milk and the living conditions of its cows.
The lawsuit claims that, contrary to Tillamook's advertising campaigns, the majority of the company's milk is sourced from a facility in eastern Oregon that houses 32,000 dairy cows in inhumane, industrialised conditions. Instead of roaming freely on green pastures, these cows are artificially impregnated, separated from their calves, and continuously confined in cement-floored factory farms.
Tillamook, however, maintains that its dairy products are of the highest quality and made in the most natural way possible. They state that their milk comes from cows not treated with artificial growth hormones and that their farmers are committed to taking good care of their cows and the land. Tillamook cheese is indeed a perishable dairy product that needs to be stored in the fridge and handled with care to maintain its quality and texture.
The company also provides some insights into the diet of its cows, stating that it typically includes forages like grass, alfalfa, and corn silage, as well as grains like corn and barley. Additionally, cows are given vitamin and mineral supplements to support their long-term health. While some cows may enjoy pasture time depending on the season and farm, others are kept in free-stall barns, which are standard in the dairy industry.
In conclusion, while Tillamook claims its cows are well-cared-for and pasture-raised, there are conflicting reports and legal challenges to these assertions. The reality of the cows' living conditions and the extent to which their diet and rearing are truly "organic" remains a matter of ongoing scrutiny and debate.
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Tillamook's Medium Cheddar is produced under rabbinical guidance
Tillamook Cheese is vegetarian, except for the 2012 and 2013 Maker's Reserve Extra Sharp White Cheddar. The Medium Cheddar Cheese is produced and packaged under official rabbinical guidance.
Rabbinical guidance refers to the ethical guidelines set by the Rabbinical Assembly. The Assembly's Code of Conduct includes broad categories of Jewish ethics, such as financial malfeasance, addiction, violation of confidentiality, and abuses of rabbinic power. Rabbinical Assembly members are required to fulfill the administrative policies and halakhic (Jewish law) standards established by the Assembly.
Tillamook's Medium Cheddar is made with a fermentation-produced rennet that has Kosher and Halal certification. The cheese is also vegetarian-friendly. The production process involves heat-shocking the milk, which raises the temperature enough to kill any bad bacteria while preserving the milk's beneficial enzymes. These enzymes are crucial to the cheddar's flavor, body, and texture.
The Medium Cheddar is also colored with annatto, a natural, plant-based food coloring extracted from the seeds of tropical annatto trees. Annatto has been added to cheddar cheese for centuries to regulate color variations in milk that can result from seasonal changes in a cow's diet. Today, it ensures that each loaf of Tillamook cheese maintains a consistent color.
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Frequently asked questions
Tillamook Cheese is vegetarian, with the exceptions of the 2012 and 2013 Maker's Reserve Extra Sharp White Cheddar. Their Kosher Medium Cheddar Cheese is also vegetarian-friendly, as it is made with a fermentation-produced rennet that has Kosher and Halal certification.
Tillamook Cheddar is made from 100% organic and protein-fed cow's milk. It also contains salt, enzymes, and annatto, a natural, plant-based food colouring.
Full-fat coconut milk is a good option, as it is rich and creamy and melts well. Nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and miso dissolved in water can also help to replicate the sharp, tangy flavour of cheddar.
Tillamook Cheddar Cheese is a perishable dairy product and should always be stored in the fridge, ideally in the coldest part, at around 40 degrees. If you are in a warm environment, cheese shouldn't be left out for too long, as the heat will change the texture and oil may develop on the outside.
