VEGETARIANS - Cheeses with microbial enzymes?!
VEGETARIANS - Cheeses with microbial enzymes?
Are cheese with microbial enzymes ok to eat if your vegetarian? (not vegan) All of the cheeses I saw at the store today used microbial enzymes- and not being sure what that meant, I didn't buy any. Now that I've looked it up, it seems it's OK?
Answers:
Microbial enzymes are generally asfe for vegetarians.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/rennet#alte...
Vegetable rennet
Many plants have coagulating properties. Some examples include fig tree bark, nettles, thistles, mallow, and Creeping Charlie. Rennet from thistle or cynara is used in some traditional cheese production in the Mediterranean.
These real vegetable rennets are also suitable for vegetarians. Vegetable rennet might be used in the production of kosher cheeses but nearly all kosher cheeses are produced with either microbial rennet or GM rennet. Worldwide there is also no industrial production for vegetable rennet. Commercial so-called vegetable rennets usually contain rennet from the mold Mucor miehei - see microbial rennet below.
Microbial rennet
There are some moulds like Rhizomucor miehei that have the capability to produce proteolytic enzymes. These moulds are produced in a fermenter and then especially concentrated and purified to avoid contamination with unpleasant side products of the mould growth. At the present state of scientific research institutes like the EFSA deny the QPS-status - Qualified Presumption of Safety - to enzymes produced especially by these moulds.
The flavour and taste of cheeses produced with microbial rennets tend towards some bitterness, especially if longer maturation is wanted. These so-called "microbial rennets" are suitable for vegetarians if there was no animal-based alimentation used during the production in the fermenter.
Here are a list of cheeses that are apparently vegetarian and non-vegetarian. Te research was done in 2004 though. The best way to find out what is current is to email the companies. I always have prompt and honest replies.
http://www.vina.cc/stories/general/2005/...
:)
It means that were made without animal rennet..which is what you want if you are vegetarian and eat cheese.
Use cheese that is clearly marked "vegetarian rennet" The animal rennet in most cheese comes from the stomach of slaughtered baby calves. There are many more vegetarian cheeses now available then there used to be-Whole Foods and Earth Fare have a wide selection. I buy vegetarian rennet and make my own cheese. Keep in mind that commercial cheese comes from commercial milk, which is full of growth hormones, antibiotics and steroids. Raw or sheeps milk cheese is better. (try to find a local food co op to get these things)