A Vegetarian's Best Friend

Dairy products are diet staples for all vegetarians except vegans (vegetarians who consume no products of animal origin, thus no dairy, eggs, meat, fish and poultry).

Lacto vegetarians (vegetarians consuming only dairy products, but no eggs, meat, fish and poultry) and ovo-lacto vegetarians (vegetarians consuming eggs and dairy but no meat, fish and poultry) consume dairy products.

Dairy is a very important part of your diet if you are a lacto vegetarian as it is your only source of vitamin B12. In order to get enough of the vitamin you will need to drink either 2 – 3 glasses of milk per day and/or other dairy products such as yoghurt and cheese Vegans are at risk for a vitamin B12 deficiency because the only natural vitamin B12 sources are of animal origin.

Vegans must be especially on the lookout for products enriched and/or fortified with vitamin B12 such as breakfast cereals when buying groceries. It may also be necessary for them to take vitamin B12 supplements.

Which Clover cheeses are suitable for vegetarians?

Clover SA uses only microbial rennet in the manufacturing of the following cheeses:

• Cheddar: Clover, Sacca, Elite, Rocky Ridge
• Gouda: Clover, Sacca, Elite, Zoetvlei
• Edam: Elite
• Emmental: Elite
• Mature Cheddar: Fox & Crow, 1906 Rocky Ridge, Sacca, Elite, Tussers
• Lichten Blanc: Low fat, Medium fat
• Feta: Clover Plain, Clover Flavoured
• Mozzarella: Elite

Which Clover cheeses are not suitable for vegetarians?

All Clover cheeses are suitable for lacto- and ovo-lacto vegetarians, except for Parmesan, Pecorino and Pepato, which contain animal rennet (rennin). None of the cheeses are suitable for vegans.

What is rennet?

Rennet (also known as Rennin) is an enzyme found in the stomach of suckling animals. This enzyme has the ability to curdle milk successfully. Rennin is substituted regularly with substitutes from plants or micro-organisms. This is known as microbial rennet, which is suitable for vegetarian use.

What is the difference between microbial and animal rennet?

Plant or microbial rennet is extracted from plants or micro-organisms. Animal rennet is extracted from animals, such as cows, and is used in the making of Parmesan cheese. Plant or microbial rennet has the same function as animal rennet. No difference can be detected in the use of plant or microbial rennet and animal rennet.

Does dairy provide good quality protein?

Protein consists of amino acids. Bovine milk is an excellent source of high quality protein and provides essential amino acids to the diet, which cannot be synthesised by the human body. A Complete protein contains all the essential amino acids needed by the human body for growth and maintenance. In general, all proteins of animal origin such as meat, fish, poultry, cheese, milk and eggs (except gelatin) are complete proteins. Milk protein is regarded as a high quality protein. High quality protein is both complete and easy to digest. Dairy also contains the amino acid tryptophan that can be converted to niacin (a vitamin). Niacin helps the body in the conversion of fats and carbohydrates into energy and with protein metabolism. With thiamin and riboflavin, it helps maintaining a healthy nervous and digestive system. The amino acid tryptophan, (of which milk is a good source), is a precursor of serotonin, a central neurotransmitter, which acts as an inhibitor of certain pain pathways and is also believed to help control mood and may perhaps even help you fall asleep. here