Social media goes wild as people learn Parmesan cheese isn’t vegetarian
Foodies are discovering that Parmesan cheese is NOT vegetarian – and the reason has them left them ‘crying’
Social media users are bewildered to learn that traditionally, Parmesan isn’t vegetarian – and uses the organ of a baby cow in production.
People are admitting that they were ‘today years old’ when they learned about the inclusion of ‘rennet’ – which is made by enzymes in the lining of calves’ stomachs – in the iconic cheese.
According to animal welfare group PETA, many brands, particularly in the US will now use vegetable rennet instead, but the discovery was still shocking to Twitter users.
The method of preparing Parmesan – or Parmigiano Reggiano – is beloved in its origin country of Italy, and traditionally uses just three ingredients; milk, salt and rennet, cooking site Kitchn says.
The method of preparing Parmesan – or Parmigiano Reggiano – is beloved in its origin country of Italy, and traditionally uses just three ingredients; milk, salt and rennet (stock image)
It also says that Parmigiano Reggiano is a Protected Domination of Origin (PDO) cheese, meaning that it can’t carry the name without following strict procedure and testing.
Culture Cheese Magazine explains that animal rennet is made when a calf (or another young creature) is killed and its stomach is dried, so it becomes solid.
Depending on the scale of production and where you are in the world, the next steps usually involve the dried organ being cut into pieces and preserved.
Then, when it’s time for the ingredient to be used, the rennet is rehydrated in some water. This water is then added into milk.
While, according to animal welfare group PETA , many brands, particularly in the US will use vegetable rennet instead, the discovery was still shocking for its origins (stock image)
People are admitting that they were ‘today years old’ when they…
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