“Is Cheddar cheese Halal?” Did this question ever come to your mind while you are enjoying your cheese burger?
Have you ever thought about the cheddar cheese you are using in your favorite recipe, is it halal?
Now, are you thinking that the cheese can also be halal or haram? The answer is yes. Cheese can also be classified as halal or non-halal based on the ingredients and its making process.
Let us guide you on this topic in further details!
What is Cheddar Cheese?
Cheddar cheese is a natural cheese made from milk. It is semi-hard and its texture gets harder over time. Similarly, it has a tangy flavor that gets more intense as it ages. It is smooth and creamy and in white color when fresh but later it turns dry and crumbly and yellow in color.
Cheddar cheese is named after the village of Cheddar in Somerset, England where it originated first in the 12th century. Cheese makers in the Cheddar region found out that heating the curds helped get rid of the whey. This made the cheese, less wet and allowed it to travel and age well compared to other cheeses back then.
Ingredients Used in Making Cheddar Cheese
Cheddar cheese is made using the same basic ingredients as most other cheeses. These include:
- Milk
- Salt
- Rennet (a type of enzyme)
- Bacteria culture
Process of Making Cheddar Cheese
First, the bacteria culture is added to cow’s milk to make it more acidic, and then rennet is added to thicken the milk. In the second step, the curds, which are solid pieces formed from the milk, are separated from the liquid whey.
Next, the curds are heated to release even more whey as they melt together. This is where cheddar cheese production differs from other types of cheese. This process is also called “cheddaring”. The cheesemakers cut the curd into large blocks or slabs. These blocks are stacked and flipped repeatedly to release more whey and make the curd denser. Eventually, the slabs are cut into smaller pieces and salted. Then, they are pressed into molds to drain and begin the aging process.
The Aging Process
The aging time of Cheddar cheese is the time duration it spends in controlled storage conditions after it has been made. During aging, the cheese undergoes biochemical changes that affect its flavor, texture, and aroma. These changes occur due to the following reasons:
- The breakdown of proteins and fats by enzymes
- The development of characteristic cheese flavors through bacterial action
- The loss of moisture
The aging time determines the flavor and texture of the cheddar cheese. Mild cheddar is aged for 3 to 6 months, and sharp cheddar is aged for 9 to 12 months. Extra sharp cheddar, with the strongest flavor, is aged for 18 months or even longer.
What Makes Cheddar Cheese Halal or Haram?
Although cheese is made from cow’s milk, which is halal, one such ingredient raises questions about its halal status, “Rennet”. The halal status of cheddar cheese depends on the Rennet used in its manufacturing process.
What is Rennet? How does it affect the cheese and make it non-halal? The answer is below:
Rennet is basically an enzyme that is derived from two sources, either plants or animals.
For making cheddar cheese for vegetarians, rennet is usually derived from plants and such cheddar cheese is 100% halal.
Now the second point is animals, which animal rennet is used? This is the point of concern that define the halal status of the cheese. In most countries, the rennet used in the production of cheddar cheese is usually obtained from cows, which is usually permitted in Islam.
If we talk about non-Muslim nations, the rennet used in cheese production is used from various animals that might include non-halal animals too. The rennet is derived from non-halal animals to make the cheese make the cheese non-halal.
Non-halal animals include:
- Pigs
- Animals that are slaughtered saying the name of Allah
In simple words, cheddar cheese made from halal animals rennet is halal and the one made with non-halal animals is non-halal.
Is Cheddar Cheese Halal in Canada?
The halal status of cheddar cheese in Canada depends on the brand name or the production process as we have discussed earlier. The brands that are halal certified or if they are offering halal cheese, they adhere to Islamic guidelines for its preparation.
If the cheese is produced using halal ingredients and did not came in contact with non-halal items during the production process, it is definitely halal.
Halal Cheddar Cheese Brands in Canada
If you are looking to get halal cheese in Canada, there are a variety of brands that offer halal cheddar cheese in Canada. Some of these brands include:
- Tillamook
- Sainsbury
- Armstrong
- Wisam
- Zabiha
- Green Valley
So this is all about Halal cheddar cheese, the ingredients that affect its halal status, and the brands in Canada that offer halal cheese. Moreover, it is always best to check the packaging of the cheese to clarify the halal status of the cheese.
We hope this information proves helpful to you in guiding you with what you were looking for!