People Surprised To Discover Why Parmesan Cheese Isn’t Considered Vegetarian

If you’re someone who loves cheese but also sticks to a vegetarian diet, this is something you’ll definitely want to know about.

Many vegetarians, unlike vegans, still enjoy cheese because it's a great source of protein, which they might otherwise get from meat. 

But here's the catch—some of these cheese lovers might be in for a shock when they discover that not all cheeses are as free from animal products as they thought.

There’s such a wide variety of delicious cheeses to choose from: cheddar, feta, gouda, brie—the list goes on. 

It's no wonder these cheesy delights are so difficult to cut out of one's diet! 

Honestly, hats off to all the dedicated vegans out there who manage to steer clear of these tempting treats. 

But here’s the surprising news: certain cheeses contain an ingredient that makes them unsuitable for vegetarians. One of the main culprits? Parmesan.

Yes, it’s true. Parmesan has an ingredient in it that might make some vegetarians reconsider their choices. 

So, if you’re the kind of person who’d rather live by the saying, ‘ignorance is bliss’, then this might be the moment to look away. 

Many traditional parmesan cheeses are not veggie friendly Getty Stock

Because we’re about to dive into the details of how traditional parmesan is made, and it’s not what you might expect.

To make parmesan, the cheese goes through a coagulation process that uses an enzyme called chymosin. 

This enzyme gets into the cheese through a substance known as rennet. 

Here’s where it gets a bit troubling: rennet comes from the stomach of a baby cow. When the calf is slaughtered, its stomach is removed and dried out. 

After that, the stomach is chopped into small pieces and added to the cheese mixture. 

When the calf’s stomach is mixed in, it helps the cheese coagulate and, voilà, you have a block of parmesan!

But it’s not just parmesan that’s the issue here. If you’ve ever had Grana Padano or gorgonzola, you might want to know that these cheeses also use calf rennet. 

And if you thought you were safe with Manchego, Emmental, or even the festive favorite, Camembert, think again. 

These cheeses, unfortunately, are not vegetarian-friendly either.

The popular Italian cheese is often grated and sprinkled on pasta dishes Getty Stock

This method has been in use for ages, but for some, the realization that their favorite dairy treats aren’t actually veggie-friendly is quite new. 

One person shared their surprise online: "Today years old when I found out parmesan cheese is made from baby cow’s stomach & I could go cry. I’m just gonna have to go full vegan at this point." 

Another commented: "Parmesan cheese isn’t vegetarian?!" And yet another added: "I’m still shooketh!"

The good news is that there are vegetarian alternatives out there.

So next time you’re browsing the cheese section at the store, it’s a good idea to take a closer look at the labels. 

You might be able to find some delicious veggie-friendly options that fit perfectly with your lifestyle.