The Surprising Reason Why Some Types of Parmesan Cheese Aren't Vegetarian (2024)

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The Surprising Reason Why Some Types of Parmesan Cheese Aren't Vegetarian? ›

So Why Isn't Parmesan Cheese Vegetarian? This answer is encapsulated in one word: rennet. Specifically animal rennet, collected from slaughtered cows, goats or other young, milk-fed ruminant animals.

If you look carefully at your food label, you might see just “enzymes” on the back of the package with little to no further explanation. This refers to either animal, plant, or microbial enzymes. Parmesan is always made with animal enzymes, also called animal rennet, meaning it's not vegetarian.

Most vegetarians generally avoid foods that require the death of an animal. Although there are different types of vegetarians, cheese is often considered vegetarian-friendly. However, certain cheeses contain animal rennet, which contains enzymes commonly sourced from the lining of animal stomachs.

The type of rennet used to make Parmigiano-Reggiano is produced in the traditional way; it's derived from the inner lining of the fourth stomachs of calves usually slaughtered for veal, says food scientist Topher McNeil, PhD.

Yes, that's right: Not all cheese is entirely vegetarian. Many cheeses are made with animal rennet, which comes from the fourth lining of the stomach of ruminant animals, usually a young calf.

Firstly, it is important to know that animal rennet is very much a by-product from young animals. It is extremely unusual for an animal to be killed only for production of rennet because, quite apart from anything else, it does not make economic sense and would be very wasteful of the rest of the animal.

Rennet has traditionally been used to separate milk into solid curds and liquid whey, used in the production of cheeses. Rennet from calves has become less common for this use, to the point that less than 5% of cheese in the United States is made using animal rennet today.

Today's beautiful Cashew Nut Parmesan is another one to add to your arsenal of dairy-free deliciousness, and oh my is it a good one. This super simple dairy-free parmesan contains only 3 base ingredients, being cashews, nutritional yeast and salt.

Younger, soft cheeses like mozzarella, cottage cheese, cream cheese, ricotta, goat, and provolone often are not made with rennet. However, this isn't an exhaustive list, so be sure to read your labels carefully!.

Is Costco Parmesan cheese vegetarian? ›

There are a few Kirkland Signature brand of cheeses to avoid if you are vegetarian. The following items contain animal rennet: ❌🧀 Kirkland Signature Parmesan Reggiano. ❌🧀 Kirkland Signature Basil Pesto.

Since rennet is a restricted, or haram, ingredient in a Muslim's diet, traditionally made Parmesan is not halal. However, a lot of cheese producers are re-thinking the process of cheese making to keep up with the changing times.

While Parmigiano Reggiano is not, it is possible to find vegetarian Parmesan cheese at the grocery store. If you want to avoid cheese made with rennet, look for cheeses labeled vegetarian or check the ingredient list for enzymes instead of rennet. You might just discover a new product to fall in love with.

So why isn't Parmesan cheese vegetarian? Great question. In this case, it has to do with the use of something called rennet, which is pretty crucial to the Parmesano-Reggiano production process. Rennet is usually taken from the fourth stomach of a relatively young grazing animal like calves, goats, or lambs.

Most folks are ok with traditional rennet, which is derived from the stomach lining of animals (remember – no animal is ever sacrificed only for rennet). However, some choose to stick with “vegetarian” cheeses, which use plant-based or synthetic rennet to coagulate the milk.

Here's our guide to how to enjoy pizza while changing your diet. Now if you're a vegetarian, you can still enjoy cheese on your pie. A classic cheese is always a crowd pleaser for those just eliminating meat from their diet. Vegans, however, do not consume dairy products of any kind, meaning no dairy cheese.

Vegetable rennet, microbial rennet, and certain forms of fermentation-based rennet are considered vegetarian. Rennet is sold in several forms. Liquid rennet is often used when making smaller batches of cheese, as it's easy to measure.

Waitrose Italian Vegetarian Parmesan Cheese Strength 4150g

INGREDIENTS: Vegetarian medium fat hard cheese (milk). For allergens see ingredients in bold.

Being vegetarian, it's quite a good substitute for parmesan when a vegetarian option is needed. Old Winchester is a washed curd cheese and brine washed after pressing.

Alternatives to Animal Rennet and How They Are Made

Plant-based options like fig leaves, stinging nettle, and thistle can be easily harvested and used to coagulate milk, while microbial rennet is produced using fermentation techniques to create enzymes that break down milk proteins.