Can vegetarians eat cheese?

Most cheeses contain a coagulant (technical term is rennet) that is added to the milk to separate the curds from the whey. Traditional rennet is made from an enzyme found in the stomach lining of suckling calves and lambs. This was likely discovered in the transport of milk in calf stomachs, or when the animals were slaughtered and curds were discovered in their stomachs. In early cheese making, the stomach linings were dried out, ground up, and added directly to the milk. These days animal rennet comes in powder or liquid form, and is highly controlled and sanitary. But the resulting cheese it is technically NOT a vegetarian food.

Thankfully vegetarians need not rule out all cheeses—vegetarian rennet does exist.

The ancient cheese makers of the Iberian Peninsula for example, discovered the coagulant properties of the Cardoon Thistle. And in the wake of mad cow disease, many English cheese makers switched to vegetable rennet, and have yet to switch back. Plant sources of vegetable rennet include Lady’s Bedstraw, Stinging Nettle and Safflower. Microbial (genetically engineered) rennet is also widely available, and is vegetarian-friendly.

Some examples of cheeses made from different rennet:

Animal Rennet: Parmigiano Reggiano, Montgomery’s Cheddar, Gruyère.

Vegetable/Microbial Rennet: Humboldt Fog, Spenwood, Torta del Casar.

No Rennet: Cottage cheese, Mozzarella (most), Queso Blanco.

Comments

[raelyn]

where can i find what lacto vegitarians can and can't eat?

[Chantal Quek]

I am a lacto-vegetarian (can eat milk and eggs). Can i eat foodstuff (such as ice-cream, biscuits, chocolates, horlick) that contains whey?

[ana]

hey i was just yesterday in a website and pledge not to eat meat no more but my family only eats meat what can i do i just broke it cause i ate cheese. i feel really bad !? do i continue this pledge or quit!!!!

[Ian DIbbens]

Hi Nadia

I am a vegetarian and enjoy Parmigiano Reggiano. However, I am concerned about the rennet. Are you aware of any veggie rennet alternatives for this prince of cheeses?

Ian

[chaz]

i'm turning vege and i don't kno what i can't eat besides meat.
Can you give me a hand?
chaz xx

[Anna]

Now that this suspicion of mine has been confirmed, the question is: do I tell my vegetarian fiancé, who is the biggest cheese fanatic I know, that his favourite cheeses use animal products? He loves cheese so much, in fact he practically exists on the stuff. If I tell him, and I suspect he secretly already knows but is living in self-induced denial, am I a horrible big baddie or am I saving him from committing the animal-eating sin he wants to avoid? Do I let him live the dream or the reality? What to do, what to do?!?