That's it really. Are there any kinds of Parmesan that can be veggie? I've had a few meals recently which claim to be suitable for veggie but then have parmesan shavings on top and I didn't think it was suitable.
2007-07-12 00:21:43 · 21 answers · asked by Cath F 2 in Food & Drink ➔ Vegetarian & Vegan
Hi Cath,
I don't think so, no. I have noticed a similar thing and haven't found any parmasan that says its veggie. I've also been a round the food wholesalers where the resturants go and haven't found any so doubt they can get veggie parmesan.
found this on the veggie soc pages:
http://www.vegsoc.org/info/cheese.html
Its talks about cheese and mentions Parmesan but doesn't say it has to be meaty.
and found this statement on the BBC news website ..."However, there is no way around the fact that Parmesan cheese is made with animal rennet, and that the 'vegetarian parmesan' available is not, and tastes nothing like, the real thing."
No idea why it needs to be this way, but it seems it is.
EDIT: further checking and it seems "Florentino Parmazano" from Sainsbury's is vegan so ok for veggies. ( as reported by http://www.viva.org.uk/recipes/glossary.html )
2007-07-12 00:28:57 · answer #1 · answered by Michael H 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Well I buy English parmesan from my local market. It is made by a local farmer and has veggie rennet used. It is not quite the same as the best italian, but hey, being veggie is usually a compromise!
Most restaurants have no idea about things being vegetarian. A trading standards survey in Salisbury found that approx. 80% of meals offered by restaurants did in fact contain meat products (like rennet, etc).
Multiples such as pizza hut will likely be using whatever is CHEAPEST for their parmesan shavings. Most people think "veggies can eat cheese" and the buck stops there...
Personally, as a veggie for over 20 years i don't get too worried about the odd bit of parmesan that may or may not contain animal rennet. I wouldn't buy a product if it listed animal rennet on the packaging (the coop are good for that), but if it doesn't say, then i'm not too bothered. At least i'm not actively buying something that has been slaughtered "for me".
2007-07-12 17:32:20 · answer #2 · answered by Dan 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure about Parmesan in particular, but many kinds of cheese are actually not suitable for vegetarians as well as vegans. Many cheeses contain rennet extracted from the stomachs of calves, and of course it's not from live ones. So, when you're eating cheese, odds are you're consuming something that required a cow's baby to be murdered. That is obviously completely against the vegetarian philosophy. Some cheeses are suitable for vegetarians though, you just have to get informed about which ones are. I solved that problem by quitting cheese altogether, but then again I never liked cheese except for one kind, the name of which I don't know in english.
2007-07-12 10:30:38 · answer #3 · answered by Ricardo P 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Strictly speaking Vegetarians do not eat meat however, Vegans do not eat ANYTHING that comes form an animal. Parmesan does contain rennet,( comes from the calf stomach) as do nearly all cheeses, there are some so called vegetarian cheeses on the market. So is Parmesan suitable for vegetarians? I think you should decide first what your idea of vegetarianism is! ENJOY x
2007-07-12 07:36:03 · answer #4 · answered by Alison B 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Parmesan contains something called "rennet" but you can get vegetarian Parmesan, just check the label
Rennet (IPA pronunciation: is a natural complex of enzymes produced in any mammalian stomach to digest the mother's milk. Rennet contains a proteolytic enzyme (protease) that coagulates the milk, causing it to separate into solids (curds) and liquid (whey). The active enzyme in rennet is called rennin or chymosin (EC 3.4.23.4) but there are also other important enzymes in it, e.g., pepsin or lipase. There are non-animal sources for rennet substitutes.
2007-07-12 17:02:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
True Parmesan cheese is not vegetarian as it is made with animal rennet. There are however some Parmesan 'style' cheeses which are suitable for vegetarians.
2007-07-12 07:27:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 0⤋
I always thought Parmesan wasn't suitable but if its labelled as such then it must be. you can always check for the vegetarian society logo on the product. you can buy vegan Parmesan which i think is made out of soya its available in the free from section of most supermarkets
2007-07-12 07:32:46 · answer #7 · answered by kate m 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Try Soymage Parmesan, you can't tell the difference.
2007-07-12 16:15:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most are not but Horizon makes a parmesan that is made with vegetable rennet.
2007-07-12 08:11:14 · answer #9 · answered by KathyS 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only if you do dairy & if it is made with a Veggie Rennet. There are many companies making Veggie Rennt cheese & alot of the soft cheese(fresh style) are.
2007-07-12 10:55:26 · answer #10 · answered by Celtic Tejas 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋