As a cheese expert, I can tell you that most cheeses are vegetarian-friendly because they are typically made with just milk, salt, and bacteria cultures. However, there are a few types of cheese that are not considered vegetarian because they are treated with animal-derived substances during the production process. The most notable of these is
RENNET.
Rennet is an enzyme used to coagulate the milk and separate the curds from the whey. While there are vegetarian and vegan alternatives to rennet made from plants like figs or genetically modified microorganisms, traditional rennet comes from the stomach of a calf, which is not suitable for vegetarians.
To identify non-vegetarian cheeses, look for those that use
animal rennet. Some examples include traditional Parmesan, some Goudas, and certain types of Cheddar. However, many modern cheeses are made with vegetarian rennet or other coagulating agents, making them suitable for vegetarian diets.
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