Bushra Griffith
Vegetarian cheese is an ethical alternative to traditional cheese, which is made from the milk of cows, goats or sheep. There are many different types of vegetarian cheese, some of which are made with lemon juice, wild thistle, safflower seeds, fig sap, or even nuts, nutritional yeast, and vegetable oils. Some people argue that cheese made with FDC rennet, which is derived from an animal product, should not be considered vegetarian.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Vegetable proteins, vegetable oils, soy, nuts (cashews, macadamias), coconut oil, agar, tapioca, peas, arrowroot, starches, thickeners, carrageenan, xanthan gum, lemon juice, wild thistle, safflower seed, fig sap, nutritional yeast |
| Rennet | Microbial rennet, Recombinant/FDC rennet (Fermentation Derived Chymosin) |
| Animal products | Animal-free |
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What You'll Learn
Vegetable proteins, such as soy, nuts, and vegetable oils
Vegetarian cheese is made from vegetable proteins, such as soy, nuts, and vegetable oils. Nuts used in cheese production include cashews and macadamias, while coconut oil is a common vegetable oil used. Other cheeses are derived from agar, tapioca, peas, and arrowroot.
Some vegetarian cheeses use lemon juice as a coagulant. There are also alternatives to traditional rennet, such as wild thistle, the seed of the safflower, and fig sap.
Some people question whether vegetarian cheese is truly vegetarian. For example, 80% of cheeses use FDC rennet, which is isolated and replicated from an animal product. However, no animals are required to make this rennet.
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Nutritional yeast
Lemon juice is a great coagulant for making a simple vegetarian cheese. However, there are also many simple recipes online for making your own cheese at home.
Some people may question whether vegetarian cheese is truly vegetarian. For example, 80% of cheeses use FDC rennet, which is made by isolating and replicating the enzyme chymosin from an animal product. However, once the original enzyme is replicated, no animals are required to make this rennet. Ultimately, there are plenty of fantastic vegetarian cheeses that have always been made that way, and it makes the best cheese.
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Lemon juice
In addition to its nutritional benefits, lemon juice can also add a pleasant tangy flavour to cheese. This can be especially nice in fresh, soft cheeses or in harder cheeses that are meant to be eaten as a snack or grated over dishes.
Overall, lemon juice is a versatile and healthy ingredient that can be used to make delicious and nutritious vegetarian cheese.
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Thistle, safflower seeds, and fig sap
Vegetarian cheese is made from animal-free ingredients, such as vegetable proteins, vegetable oils, and nuts. Some common ingredients include soy, cashews, macadamias, and coconut oil. Other cheeses are derived from agar, tapioca, peas, and arrowroot.
Lemon juice is also a great coagulant for making simple vegetarian cheese.
Some people may question whether vegetarian cheese is truly vegetarian, as some cheeses use recombinant/FDC rennet, which is derived from an animal product. However, no animals are required in the process of making this type of rennet.
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Microbial rennet
Vegetarian cheese is made from a variety of ingredients, including lemon juice, wild thistle, safflower seeds, and fig sap. One of the most common ingredients used in vegetarian cheese production is microbial rennet, also known as vegetarian rennet.
The production of microbial rennet typically involves fermenting microorganisms in a controlled environment. This process allows for the extraction and purification of the desired enzymes, which can then be used in cheese-making. The specific microorganisms and fermentation conditions can vary, resulting in different types of microbial rennet with unique characteristics.
While microbial rennet is a vegetarian-friendly option, it is important to note that not all cheese labelled as "vegetarian" may be suitable for strict vegetarians. Some cheeses may use recombinant or FDC rennet, which stands for Fermentation Derived Chymosin. While FDC rennet is made through a fermentation process and does not directly involve animals, the original enzyme (chymosin) is isolated and replicated from an animal product. As a result, some vegetarians may choose to avoid cheeses made with FDC rennet.
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Frequently asked questions
Vegetarian cheese is made from vegetable proteins, such as soy, nuts, and vegetable oils. It can also be made from lemon juice, wild thistle, safflower seeds, and fig sap.
Traditional cheese is made from the milk of cows, goats, or sheep. Vegetarian cheese is made from plant-based sources and does not contain any animal products.
People may choose to eat vegetarian cheese for ethical reasons, as it is a flavourful and ethical alternative for those seeking to reduce or eliminate certain animal products from their diets.
No, vegetarian cheese is not a new concept. In AD60, Columella wrote about alternatives to traditional rennet, including wild thistle, safflower seeds, and fig sap.
