There is a little-known fact about the famous Parmesan cheese that has recently taken the consumer world by storm.
A Twitter user shocked many with the revelation about Parmesan cheese, also known as parmigiano-reggiano. This user disclosed that the cheese, which many believe to be vegetarian-friendly like other cheeses, actually contains an ingredient derived from the stomach of cows.
Parmesan cheese contains ingredients from cow’s stomach. (Photo: Mashed).
Originating from Italy, Parmesan cheese has a distinctive and delicious flavor, making it a popular ingredient for topping pasta dishes, pizzas, and potatoes.
The The Sun reported that one individual posted on their Twitter: “Today I found out that Parmesan cheese is made from cow’s stomach and I want to cry.”
According to reports, this cheese contains animal rennet (an enzyme used to hydrolyze protein), which is found in the stomachs of ruminant animals, typically from a young calf, while vegetarian cheese is usually made from milk.
After the tweet was posted, it quickly went viral, drawing outrage from consumers who believed the product was vegetarian-friendly.
“This is horrifying! Why are we consuming the stomach of such young animals?”, commented one user.
Another user stated: “This is disgusting. I don’t want any cheese for the rest of my life.”
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) encourages consumers to check the ingredients listed on products. Parmesan cheese is often imported from Italy, but some companies in New Zealand, including Mainland and Dairyworks, produce this cheese in Aotearoa.
This cheese is often imported from Italy, but some companies produce it in Aotearoa. (Photo: Kitchn).
The ingredients listed in the product include milk, salt, probiotics, enzymes (rennet, lipase), while Dairyworks lists their ingredients as pasteurized milk, salt, probiotics, enzymes, lipase, anti-caking agents, and preservatives.
