What is animal rennet?!?!?!?!?

Question

I was eating crisps the other day.

Cheese and something flavour.

And I randomly decided to check out the ingredients.

It said Cheese Powder (contains Animal rennet).

Then I looked for the Suitable For Vegetarians sign and I couldn't find it.

I could only see 'Suitable for coeliacs' or something.

So what is Animal Rennet?

Answer 1

I make a non rennet cheese with the extract from Stinging Nettle, I was taught this on a trip to the UK as they make the most types of cheese made from this non animal rennet, there are good farmhouse cheddars, I am a former chef and have used the real thing but will not anymore, more a personal choice than a moral issue.

Italian ricotta, cream cheese, fromage frais and cottage cheese are made from an acidic coagulation process, not rennet.

Answer 2

Rennet is an enzyme found in the calfs stomach that aids in the digestion of milk. It is used in the cheesemaking process to solidify milk. I know it sounds gross but its true.

Answer 3

Rennet is an extract from the fourth stomach of young ruminants, such as cows, goats, and sheep. This extract contains a number of enzymes which are designed to help these animals digest their mother's milk, and when added to milk, rennet will cause the milk to coagulate, forming the curds and whey which are so essential in the cheesemaking process. Humans have been working with rennet for thousands of years, and it is typically readily available in stores which carry cheesemaking supplies; it can also be made at home, if you happen to have access to the necessary ingredients. For vegetarians and kosher Jews, non-animal alternatives to rennet are available.

http://indian-veg-food.blogspot.com

Answer 4

Animal rennet is an enzyme or bunch of enzymes taken from calf stomach.  It's used to make cheese.  Other sources of rennet are microbial.  Cheesemakers need these enzymes to coagulate the milk protein to make cheese.

PhD Food Chemistry and Nutrition