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Updated 4/14/2011 – We are adding new cheeses that are considered “vegetarian-suitable” cheeses. Cheeses traditionally use animal rennet in the cheesemaking process; but over time many cheesemakers have turned to alternative rennets; vegetable (including thistle), microbial and/or chymosin, a lab-produced clone of the animal rennet. The BelGioioso list has been updated to reflect their link in the comment area below. A special thanks to those who take the time to help us keep this list updated.
My thanks to Charles at Cypress Grove, John Fiscalini, Debbie Crave, Julie at Beecher’s, Lenny at Bellwether Farms for their assistance in making this list.
Special thanks to Gordon Edgar for assistance in correcting and/or clarifying some of the entries on this list. Gordon’s new book, Cheesemonger: A Life on the Wedge, has just been published – be sure and check it out.
Links will be added over the next few days as located.
To assist our Vegetarians Foodies, The Lady and I have put together this quick list of cheeses made using vegetable rennet. As we discover more, we will update the list.
If you have cheeses to add to the list, please make a comment below and we’ll add them.
Alta Dena Sharp Goat Cheddar
Autor
Azeitao DOP
Beecher’s Handmade Cheeses use Chymosin
Beehive Cheese Company uses a vegetable rennet in all their cheeses
BelGioioso Tiramisu Mascarpone
All Bellwether Farms’ cheeses are made using a vegetable rennet
Caciofiore
Cantalet – Depending on the manufacturer, may use animal rennet
Cardo
Castelo Branco DOP
Celebrity International Goat Cheese
Cooleeney Irish Brie
Cranberry Wensleydale
Crave Brothers uses a Microbial Rennet
Cultured Way Yogurt Cheeses (Also Lactose Free)
Cypress Grove uses a vegetable rennet in all their cheeses
Ewephoria Premium Aged Sheep’s Gouda
Evora
Fiscalini Farmstead Cheeses use a vegetable rennet in all their cheeses
Golden Glen Creamery uses a Vegetable Rennet
Gothberg Farms uses Chymosin Rennet in its Chevre and Feta
Greens of Glastonbury Farmstead Cheddar
Laurel Chenel’s Chevre
McCadam Cheddar
Mozzarella Fresca Whole Milk Ricotta
Mozzarella Fresca Fresh Mozzarella (All)
Nisa DOP
Queso de la Serena DO
Raclette – Depending on the manufacturer, may use animal rennet
Rogue Creamery Rogue River Blue
Serra da Estrela DOP
Serpa DOP
Tillamook Cheddar (all except Vintage White)
Tomme de Savoie – Depending on the manufacturer, may use animal rennet
Torta de Barros
Torta de Casar DO
Torta de Los Pedroches
Vella Dry Jack
Cheesemonger's Weblog 
September 2, 2009 at 2:35 AM
Great site…keep up the good work.
November 6, 2009 at 1:07 PM
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by FelineFoodie: #Vegetarian Suitable #Cheese – Quick Checklist from #pdx Feline Foodie: http://ow.ly/sQDU #fbz…
February 7, 2010 at 10:54 AM
I am glad what you are performing here and turned it over to the cheese People at our local PCC consumer coop. However, THe question of Vegetable enzymes in cheeses constantly is a bother, both physcailly and for religious reasons. so please add the (TOTAL VEGETABLE ENZYMES listing to your cheese please, Verified. thanks mr b.
February 10, 2010 at 6:16 PM
Thanks for your comments. If you wish to submit such an addition, after it is verified, I will post it.
April 4, 2010 at 10:28 AM
Thank you sincerely for the useful information. Just as a friendly comment- you might want to add Cabot Cheeses. All Cabot cheeses are cultivated in Co-ops and are animal enzyme free, according to the website:
http://www.cabotcheese.coop/pages/your_health/askus.php
Thanks again for the posting!
Soor
April 4, 2010 at 4:01 PM
we will add Cabot – thanks so much for the comment.
August 23, 2010 at 7:51 PM
btw- just called bel gioiso- their regular parmesan, asiago, and provolone are NOT vegetarian. However, their specially marked vegetarian parmesan, mozzarella, and mascarpone are vegetarian.
Again, thanks for your assistance!
August 24, 2010 at 6:47 AM
Thank you. I will also confirm this information and assuming you are correct, will make the changes. Thanks for taking the time and visiting the blog. SG
April 8, 2010 at 9:18 AM
Here are a few others that I believe are also vegetarian: Cashel Irish Blue, Fromager D’Affinois, Shropshire & Sonoma Dry Jack. Great list though-Thanks!
April 9, 2010 at 5:46 AM
Althea, will check these out an d add them – thanks for the suggestions.
April 11, 2010 at 10:46 AM
[…] Vegetarian-Suitable Cheeses – Quick Checklist – Many Cheeses Added; Corrections Made – More links to the cheesemakers’ websites. […]
June 18, 2010 at 2:25 PM
[…] Vegetarian-Suitable Cheeses […]
August 16, 2010 at 1:18 PM
Here is a list of the vegetarian Belgioioso cheeses http://www.belgioioso.com/OtherInfo.htm
August 24, 2010 at 6:49 AM
Thanks for the link. I’ll update the list accordingly.
August 24, 2010 at 5:02 PM
Just bought boars head Monterey jack cheese sandwhich at a local deli and asked to look at the package. It listed enzymes not specific. How do I really know this is not animal enzymes??
September 24, 2010 at 5:26 PM
The best way to confirm that information is to contact the manufacturer directly with your specific question.
April 9, 2011 at 1:40 AM
Vegetarian suitable cheeses quick checklist.. Huh, really? 🙂
April 10, 2011 at 6:49 AM
Yes, really…