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Can Vegans Eat Normal Cheese? The Definitive Answer

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4 min read

According to the Vegan Society, a vegan diet avoids all animal-derived foods, including dairy products like cheese. So, can vegans eat normal cheese? The short and simple answer is no, because traditional cheese is made from milk derived from animals.

Quick Summary

Traditional cheese is a dairy product, which is not suitable for vegans. Cheeses contain animal-derived ingredients such as milk, casein, and often animal rennet. Thankfully, a variety of delicious plant-based cheese alternatives are available made from nuts, seeds, and oils.

Key Points

  • Normal cheese is not vegan: Traditional cheese is a dairy product made from animal milk, which violates the core principle of veganism against animal exploitation.

  • Check for animal rennet: Many hard cheeses use animal rennet from a calf's stomach, an ingredient that is not vegan and not always disclosed on labels.

  • Beware of hidden ingredients: Some cheese products can contain other animal byproducts like casein, lactose, or certain vitamins and colorings.

  • Explore plant-based alternatives: The market for vegan cheese has expanded significantly, offering delicious alternatives made from nuts, soy, and coconut oil.

  • Make your own 'cheese': You can easily create your own cheesy flavors at home using ingredients like nutritional yeast or soaked nuts for sauces and spreads.

  • Read labels carefully: The best way to ensure a product is vegan is to check the ingredient list for animal-derived products and look for vegan certification.

In This Article

Understanding Why 'Normal' Cheese is Not Vegan

For many, a vegan diet is simply seen as avoiding meat, but the philosophy extends to excluding all animal products and byproducts. This includes traditional cheese, which has several components that are animal-derived. Understanding these components clarifies why cheese is fundamentally incompatible with a vegan lifestyle.

The Role of Milk and Other Dairy

Normal cheese is made from milk, most commonly from cows, but also from goats, sheep, and buffalo. Milk production in dairy animals is not a benign process. It involves a repetitive cycle of artificial insemination, gestation, and birth. The calf is often separated from the mother shortly after birth, which causes distress to both. The female calves might be raised to join the dairy herd, while the males are often sold for veal or beef. For vegans, the exploitation and suffering of these animals for their milk makes dairy products unacceptable.

Animal Rennet: The Hidden Ingredient

Beyond milk, a crucial ingredient in the cheesemaking process is rennet. Rennet is a complex of enzymes used to curdle milk, separating it into solid curds and liquid whey. While microbial or vegetable-based rennets exist, traditionally, rennet is sourced from the stomach lining of young, unweaned ruminant animals, such as calves. Many hard cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano, Gruyère, and some cheddars traditionally use animal rennet, making them unsuitable even for some vegetarians, let alone vegans.

Other Animal-Derived Ingredients

It is not uncommon for other non-vegan ingredients to be used in cheese or cheese products. These can include:

  • Casein: A milk protein often used in processed cheese products.
  • Lactose: Milk sugar, which is an animal byproduct.
  • Vitamin D3: Sometimes derived from lanolin (sheep's wool).
  • Flavorings and colorings: Ingredients like carmine (red food coloring from insects) might be used.

A Comparison of Traditional Cheese vs. Vegan Cheese

Feature Traditional Dairy Cheese Vegan Cheese Alternatives
Source Animal milk (cows, goats, sheep) Plant-based ingredients (nuts, soy, coconut oil, starch)
Production Involves animal agriculture, including calf separation Plant cultivation; generally lower environmental impact
Curdling Agent Often animal rennet, also microbial/vegetable Plant-based acid, ferments, or starches
Primary Fat Source Saturated fat from animal milk Plant-based oils like coconut or canola oil
Cholesterol Contains cholesterol Cholesterol-free
Key Nutrients Rich in calcium and protein from dairy Varies widely; often fortified with B12 and calcium
Lactose Contains lactose (except aged or lactose-free versions) Lactose-free

The Rise of Delicious Vegan Cheese Alternatives

In recent years, the vegan cheese market has exploded, offering an array of products that cater to every culinary need. These alternatives are crafted from a variety of plant-based ingredients to mimic the taste, texture, and meltability of dairy cheese.

Common ingredients used in vegan cheese:

  • Nuts: Cashews and almonds are staples for creating creamy, rich cheeses, including gourmet artisan-style wheels.
  • Soy: Tofu can be used to make softer cheeses like ricotta, while soy protein is used in some shredded and block varieties.
  • Coconut Oil: Provides a rich, fatty mouthfeel and helps with melting properties.
  • Nutritional Yeast: A deactivated yeast that adds a distinctive savory, cheesy, and umami flavor to dishes.
  • Starches and Thickeners: Tapioca starch is commonly used to help vegan cheeses melt and stretch.

Leading brands like Violife, Daiya (especially the 'cutting board blend'), and Follow Your Heart offer a wide selection of shreds, slices, and blocks. For those with more refined tastes, artisan brands like Miyoko's Creamery offer aged, cultured varieties that closely replicate high-end dairy cheese. You can also find easy recipes online to make your own delicious and satisfying vegan cheeses at home.

Conclusion: Navigating Your Options

To summarize, the answer to the question "can vegans eat normal cheese?" is a definitive no, as traditional cheese contains animal-derived milk and often animal rennet. Veganism is a lifestyle that avoids all forms of animal exploitation, and the dairy industry, regardless of scale, is a significant part of that issue. For anyone adhering to a vegan diet, the good news is that the world of dairy-free cheese has expanded immensely. Whether you are looking for a simple shredded option for pizza, a creamy cheese for a sandwich, or a gourmet artisanal block, there are high-quality, delicious, and ethical alternatives readily available. By choosing a plant-based option, you can continue to enjoy cheesy flavors while staying true to your values.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Vegans do not consume milk because it is an animal product obtained through a process that involves the exploitation of animals. For milk to be produced, a dairy animal must be repeatedly impregnated, and its calf is often removed, causing distress.

No, not all cheese is vegetarian. Many traditional cheeses are made with animal rennet, an enzyme from the stomach of young animals. Vegetarians must check the label to ensure a cheese uses microbial or vegetable rennet instead.

Vegan cheese can be made from a variety of plant-based sources, including nuts (cashews, almonds), soy (tofu), starches (tapioca), and plant-based oils like coconut oil.

Many modern vegan cheeses are specifically formulated to melt and stretch like dairy cheese, especially those using ingredients like coconut oil and starches. However, the performance can vary between brands and products.

Nutritional yeast is a popular alternative for a cheesy, savory flavor, and some store-bought vegan parmesan substitutes are made from a blend of cashews and nutritional yeast.

Yes, dairy farming is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution. Vegan cheese alternatives generally have a much smaller environmental footprint.

Yes, many vegan cheese recipes are available, ranging from simple cashew-based sauces to more complex fermented artisan cheese wheels. These recipes often use nuts, seeds, and cultures.

References

  1. 1
    Do vegans eat cheese? Why you should ditch dairy right now
  2. 2
    Do Vegetarians Eat Cheese?
  3. 3
    Vegan cheese

Related Topics:

#plant-based #Vegan diet #dairy alternatives #Casein #vegan cheese #cruelty-free #rennet #normal cheese

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.