Milk and Rennet

Milk and rennet are both animal-based products, but they also have vegetarian and vegan alternatives. Milk is enjoyed by many vegetarians, while rennet is a little bit more controversial.

Milk and rennet are two completely different products, but there is a relationship between the two.

Cheese is made by adding the active enzymes from rennet to milk, causing the liquid to curdle and separate. Rennet is derived from the stomachs of freshly slaughtered calves, although it can be genetically created in a lab or found in plant-based forms. Sometimes rennet is derived from other animals, such as goats, sheep, and even pigs.

Depending on which type of vegetarian you are, you may or may not consume milk and milk products. Both lacto and lacto-ovo (or lacto-octo) vegetarians drink milk and also eat yogurt and other dairy products.

Vegans, on the other hand, do not drink cow's or any other animal's milk. Since vegans avoid all animal-based products, all animal source milk products are off limits.

While rennet is certainly not meat, many vegetarians will still avoid any cheese made with the product. This is because an animal has to be killed in order to obtain the enzymes. Cheese becomes an ethical dilemma for most vegetarians, due to the technicalities presented in the cultivation of rennet. Vegetarians who have chosen this lifestyle for ethical reasons stand against the slaughter of any animal.

Fortunately, there are alternatives for both rennet and milk that vegetarians and vegans alike can enjoy.

A trip to a local health food store, or the natural foods section of your grocery store, will reveal plenty of alternatives to milk for vegans and vegetarians. Anyone who wants to cut back on their dairy consumption will also enjoy these products. Some of these include:

• Soy milk, which comes in many flavors and types
• Nut milk
• Rice milk
• Oat milk
• Hemp milk
• Coconut milk, which has a distinct flavor

Popular milk-based drinks like shakes and smoothies can be made using these milk alternatives, or you can blend soft tofu with fruit to create a nutritious and yummy drink.

Soy, rice, and nut milks are often fortified with non-animal derived calcium, iron, and vitamins, making them very healthy choices for anyone to try.

If you're just starting your journey towards vegetarianism or becoming vegan, it's best to try the flavored varieties of milk alternatives first. Some varieties come in flavors like chocolate, vanilla, or chocolate almond, while others simply offer a sweetened variety. Those that are refrigerated and sweetened will taste closest to skim cow's milk.

There are many vegetarian and vegan cheeses on the market that do not contain rennet. Since cheese makers have found cheaper ways to get the enzymes needed to make cheese, even common commercial types can be vegetarian. Unfortunately, manufacturers are not required to name the source of their rennet on the package labels, so it's safest to find a cheese that is certified safe for vegetarians or vegans.

Soy cheese is made completely free of animal products. Many soy cheeses have a different consistency than regular cheese, however, and often they don't melt very well. It's best to try a variety of brands and types to see if you can find one that comes close to the taste and mouth feel that you want.

For vegetarians, soft cheeses like cream cheese and quark do not contain any rennet at all. The acids used to create these cheeses come from plant products. Again though, check labels and make sure the product you're buying is safe for you to eat.

Vegans avoid both milk and any product that contains rennet, while vegetarians can enjoy milk if it coincides with their diet plans. As long as you're careful in selecting cheese products, you can add vegetarian and vegan cheeses to your meals without worry.

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