The Essentials of Kosher Cheese
For a cheese to be kosher, it must adhere to several strict dietary laws. The most critical factors are the source of the milk, the rennet used for coagulation, and continuous rabbinical supervision during production. Unlike other dairy products, hard cheeses require intense scrutiny, leading to special certification rules.
Milk Source
The milk used to produce kosher cheese must come from a kosher animal, such as a cow, sheep, or goat. While most commercial milk in Western countries comes from cows and is assumed to be kosher, the strictest standards for observant Jews, known as Cholov Yisroel, require a Jewish supervisor to be present during the milking process. However, for hard cheeses, even a mashgiach temidi (constant supervisor) must be present for the entire production, regardless of the milk's origin.
The Rennet Problem
Historically, rennet was extracted from the stomachs of non-kosher animals, making many cheeses non-kosher. To address this, kosher cheeses must use vegetarian or microbial rennet. Despite this advancement, a rabbinic decree from ancient times still requires continuous supervision for hard cheeses to ensure that no non-kosher rennet or equipment is used, a rule known as Gevinas Yisrael. For this reason, checking for certification is mandatory, even if the label claims to use microbial rennet.
Identifying Kosher Cheese: Key Symbols
To ensure a cheese is kosher, always look for a certification symbol (hechsher) on the packaging. Here are some of the most common symbols and what they mean:
- Orthodox Union (OU): The world's largest and most widely recognized kosher certification agency.
- Star-K: Another prominent kosher certifier, recognized for its stringent standards.
- Kof-K: A well-known kosher certification agency with its own distinctive symbol.
- Cholov Yisroel: Products with this designation meet the stricter standard of Jewish supervision from milking onward.
Popular Kosher Cheese Brands and Varieties
Several brands cater to the kosher market, offering a variety of cheeses that meet different standards, including Cholov Yisroel options. Many of these can be found in dedicated kosher stores or the kosher section of larger supermarkets.
National Brands with Kosher Options
- Tillamook: Some of their cheddar blocks, when explicitly marked with a kosher symbol, are certified. It is crucial to check for the hechsher on the specific packaging, as not all their products are kosher.
- Natural & Kosher: As the name suggests, this brand specializes in kosher dairy products, offering a variety of cheeses like muenster, cheddar, and mozzarella.
- The Cheese Guy: Offers a range of artisan and gourmet kosher cheeses, including aged Parmesan, sharp cheddars, and goat cheeses.
- Les Petites Fermieres: This brand provides gourmet kosher cheeses like Camembert and Brie.
Supermarket Private Labels
- Polly-O: The string cheese with an OU symbol is often reliably kosher and found in many general grocery stores.
- Trader Joe's: Some locations carry kosher-certified Tillamook cheddar.
- Costco: Carries large bags of shredded Natural & Kosher shredded mozzarella.
Comparison of Hard and Soft Kosher Cheeses
The regulations governing cheese vary significantly between hard and soft varieties, primarily due to the use of rennet. Hard cheeses require constant rabbinical supervision, while soft cheeses like cottage and cream cheese do not need the same level of oversight because they are acid-set.
| Feature | Hard Cheeses (Cheddar, Swiss, etc.) | Soft Cheeses (Cottage, Cream, etc.) |
|---|---|---|
| Coagulant | Often uses rennet (microbial or vegetarian for kosher). | Coagulated by adding bacterial cultures or acid. |
| Supervision | Requires constant rabbinical oversight (mashgiach temidi) during production to satisfy Gevinas Yisrael. | Generally does not require the same level of supervision, only certified ingredients and equipment. |
| Certification | Mandatory hechsher for observant consumers. | A hechsher is still necessary to confirm kosher ingredients and equipment. |
| Chalav Yisroel | Brands like Schtark are available for those who require this stricter standard. | Can be Chalav Yisroel or Chalav Stam, depending on the certifying agency and brand. |
Frequently Overlooked Issues
It is important to remember that even within a specific brand, not all products may be kosher. A company might produce both kosher and non-kosher items on different production runs or lines. Therefore, relying on the kosher symbol on the package is the most reliable method for verifying a product's status. Some flavorings and additives can also compromise a product's kosher status, so the certification covers all ingredients. For more information on kashrut, you can consult reliable sources like the Orthodox Union's website [oukosher.org/product/kosher-cheese/].
Conclusion
Determining what brand of cheese is kosher requires more than just checking the ingredient list for animal rennet. The process involves confirming continuous rabbinical supervision and looking for specific kosher certification symbols on the product packaging, especially for hard cheeses. With many brands like Natural & Kosher, Tillamook (select items), and The Cheese Guy offering certified products, consumers can easily find delicious options that align with their dietary needs. Always double-check for the hechsher to ensure a product is properly certified for your consumption.
Key Takeaways
- Certified Brands: Look for specific kosher brands like Natural & Kosher, The Cheese Guy, and Les Petites Fermieres, or products from larger companies like Tillamook and Costco that feature a certification symbol.
- Read the Label: The presence of a certification symbol, such as OU, Star-K, or Kof-K, is the only reliable way to ensure a cheese is kosher.
- Rennet is Key: Kosher cheese must be made with vegetarian or microbial rennet, never animal rennet, although hard cheese requires extra supervision regardless.
- Hard vs. Soft: The rules for kosher hard cheese are stricter, requiring a Jewish supervisor during production, which is not required for soft, acid-set cheeses.
- Chalav Yisroel: Observant Jews may prefer Cholov Yisroel cheese, which requires a Jew to supervise the entire milking process.
- Shop Smart: Search for kosher cheese in dedicated sections of supermarkets or online stores specializing in kosher products to easily find certified options.
- Not All Products: Be aware that even a brand with kosher products might also make non-kosher ones; the certification symbol must be on the specific product.
FAQs
Question: Can I assume a cheese is kosher if its label says "vegetarian rennet"? Answer: No, for hard cheeses, you cannot assume it is kosher based on a "vegetarian rennet" claim alone. A specific kosher certification symbol is required because of a separate ancient decree concerning cheese making (Gevinas Yisrael).
Question: What does Gevinas Yisrael mean and why is it important for cheese? Answer: Gevinas Yisrael literally means "Jewish cheese" and refers to the rabbinic requirement that hard cheeses must have been produced under the supervision and direct involvement of a Jew. This rule is in place even if microbial rennet is used.
Question: Is all Tillamook cheese kosher? Answer: No, only specific blocks of Tillamook cheese that bear a kosher symbol are certified kosher. You must always check the packaging for the hechsher.
Question: Are soft cheeses like cream cheese and cottage cheese always kosher? Answer: No, soft cheeses must also have kosher certification. While they don't have the Gevinas Yisrael requirement of hard cheeses, their ingredients and manufacturing equipment must still meet kosher standards, necessitating a reliable kosher symbol.
Question: What is Cholov Yisroel and is it required for all kosher cheese? Answer: Cholov Yisroel is a stricter standard of kosher dairy, requiring a Jew to supervise the milking and entire dairy production process. Whether it is required or if Cholov Stam (regular supervised dairy) is acceptable depends on an individual's level of observance.
Question: Where can I find kosher cheese brands? Answer: You can find a wide variety of kosher cheese brands in dedicated kosher markets, the kosher section of larger grocery stores like Costco, or online specialty shops like Zabar's or iGourmet.
Question: Can a cheese be kosher for Passover? Answer: Yes, but it requires special certification for Passover. This is because leavening agents and fermented products used in standard production, like bacterial cultures and vinegar, may not be permissible for the holiday.
Question: How can I tell which cheese brands at Costco are kosher? Answer: Look for the kosher symbol on the packaging. For example, Costco carries large bags of "Natural & Kosher" shredded mozzarella. The specific products certified will always have a hechsher on the label.
Question: Do brands like Kraft or BelGioioso offer kosher cheese? Answer: Yes, some products from these brands carry kosher certification. For instance, Kraft's Philadelphia cream cheese is often kosher certified, and BelGioioso offers certain kosher items like ricotta. Always check the specific packaging for the hechsher.
Question: Is it true that some artisanal cheeses are kosher? Answer: Yes, some smaller-batch, artisanal cheeses are kosher-certified, though they may be less common in mainstream stores. Brands like The Cheese Guy or those found on sites like iGourmet offer a range of artisan kosher products.
Question: What is the main ingredient that makes a cheese non-kosher if everything else is okay? Answer: The primary issue for hard cheeses is the type of rennet used for coagulation. If it is sourced from a non-kosher animal, the cheese is not kosher. Even with microbial rennet, the rabbinic supervision for hard cheeses is still required.
Question: Why is rabbinical supervision required for hard cheese even with vegetarian rennet? Answer: The requirement for a mashgiach (supervisor) to be involved in the production of hard cheese (Gevinas Yisrael) is based on an ancient rabbinic decree that is still followed today, regardless of modern production methods.
Question: Can any food item, including cheese, lose its kosher status after being handled in a store? Answer: No, pre-packaged kosher cheeses will retain their certification as long as the packaging remains sealed. If a cheese is handled or repackaged in a non-kosher environment, its certification may be compromised.
Question: Is there a distinction between regular kosher cheese and "super kosher" cheese? Answer: Yes, brands like The Cheese Guy offer a "Super Kosher" or Cholov Yisroel collection, which meets the stricter standard of Jewish supervision from milking. This is in contrast to brands that meet general kosher standards but not necessarily the Cholov Yisroel level.
