Trying to figure out if Cottage cheese is vegetarian or vegan can sometimes be confusing.
Cottage cheese, like any cheese, has many ingredients and some of them may be derived from animal sources.
To make sure you are only eating vegetarian cheese, I’ve looked into the ingredients and production processes of Cottage cheese.
And here’s what I found:
Traditional Cottage cheese is considered vegetarian, however it is not suitable for vegans.
Keep reading to find out more.
What is Cottage cheese?
Cottage cheese is a popular ingredient in many cuisine in the world and often used in salads, dips, and as a substitute for ricotta in recipes.
It is a type of cheese made from the curds of various levels of pasteurized cow’s milk, including nonfat, reduced fat, or regular milk.
It is a fresh cheese, meaning it is not aged like other types of cheese. It is typically low in fat and high in protein, and has a mild, slightly tangy flavor.
Now, let’s check the production process of Cottage Cheese.
How Cottage Cheese Is Made?
The production process typically begins by heating the milk to a temperature of around 90-95 degrees F to began the curdling milk processs.
This process start by adding an acidic substance (often bacterial culture such as Streptococcus lactis and Lactococcus lactis cremoris) to the milk, which causes it to coagulate and form curds and whey.
Then, the curds are separated from the whey by draining and pressing them. After that, they are washed and drained again to remove any remaining whey.
Some cottage cheese manufacturers add cream to the curds to create a creamier texture.
Others may add ingredients like herbs or fruit to give the cheese a unique flavor.
Now, let’s go back to our main question “is Cottage Cheese vegetarian?”.
Is Cottage Cheese Vegetarian?
Traditional Cottage cheese is considered vegetarian.
It is made from the curds of cow’s milk, and no animal-derived ingredient (typically rennet) is used in the production process.
Some Cottage cheese brands may use microbial rennet, which is a vegetarian alternative to animal-derived rennet, to coagulate the milk.
However, it’s always best to check the ingredient list to ensure that the specific brand of Cottage cheese you are purchasing is indeed vegetarian.
Is Cottage Cheese Vegan?
No, Cottage cheese is not vegan friendly, as it contains animal derived ingredients in the form of cow's milk.
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- Is Velveeta Cheese Vegan?
- Is Mozzarella Vegetarian & Halal?
- Is Galbani Mozzarella Vegetarian?
- Is Cracker Barrel Cheese Vegetarian?
- Is Grana Padano Vegetarian?
- Is Sargento Cheese Vegetarian?
Key Takeaways:
Cottage Cheese is considered vegetarian, however, it is not suitable for vegans.
