Is cheese vegetarian? Or is there more to it?

Why is cheese not automatically vegetarian?

Most cheeses are curdled with enzymes (chymosin) from calf stomachs, which is classic animal rennet, and are therefore outside a vegetarian diet. Fortunately, alternatives exist: microbial rennet (produced by moulds or yeasts) and vegetable rennet from, for example, thistle or fig milk. These variants provide the same coagulant power without the need for an animal to die.

What does the science say?

Recent reviews show that over 90% of factory-made cheese worldwide now uses microbial or fermentation rennet, precisely because consumers increasingly want their cheese vegetarian (source: MDPI). EU directives allow the use of microbial rennet in almost all cheese types, including protected regional products such as Gouda Holland.

Checking whether cheese is vegetarian can be done like this

• Read the label: look for "microbial rennet", "vegetarian rennet" or the V logo.
• Pay attention to older cheeses: traditional Parmigiano Reggiano and Manchego must legally use animal rennet and are therefore not vegetarian.
• Read the properties per cheese within our range: all products with the tag "Vegetarian: yes" are guaranteed to be made with microbial rennet.

Animal friendliness at Henri Willig

Henri Willig switched completely to microbial rennet years ago, making practically its entire range suitable for vegetarians. But animal-friendliness goes beyond rennet:

• 100% grazing: cows graze outside in Noord-Holland for at least 180 days a year.
• Healthy goats: our goat farmers follow the guidelines of the Sustainable Goat Dairy Chain (DGZK) and have been registering welfare data since 2020.
• Own Jersey herd: the rare Jersey cow produces milk with more fat and protein, so we need fewer litres per kilo of cheese.
• Solar energy: over 1,400 panels on the cheese factory run production and cooling on green electricity.

Vegetarian cheeses in the range

From Organic Young Gouda to Bio Goat Cheese: everything is made with microbial rennet and therefore 100% vegetarian. Looking for a compact option? The vegetarian Baby Gouda lines (cow, goat, sheep) fit on any drinks board.

Vegan Smoked Delight for when you want all vegetable

Don't want a single animal ingredient? Then try Henri Willig's Vegan Smoked Delight. This soy-based smoked cheese offers a creamy texture and mild smoky flavour, but is 100% dairy-free and sustainably packaged. Delicious on toast, in a BBQ wrap or simply cubed with drinks.

Henri Willig as your vegetarian cheese partner

So it depends on the rennet whether a cheese is vegetarian, but at Henri Willig you can choose with confidence. All the cheeses we offer through our website are vegetarian. Even our Vegan Smoked Delight is tailored to animal-friendly principles and fits in with a conscious lifestyle. So you can always enjoy our cheeses responsibly!