30 December 2009 ~ 9 Comments

List of non-cow's milk cheeses

I discovered recently that I was intolerant to cow’s milk (not sure if that makes me lactose intolerant given that other milks don’t seem to bother me). After a few weeks of no cheese, I decided it was no way to live for a Frenchman so went on the hunt for alternatives in local supermarkets. I decided to maintain a list of easily found non-cow’s milk cheeses such as goat, sheep and ewe milk for my and others’ benefit, as I couldn’t find anything online already. All of these seem to be ok for consumption for me, but if you are intolerant to lactose maybe double-check or just try them before pigging out.

If you have any suggestions for the list and my belly that can be found in a supermarket (ie. not too obscure!), please post a comment!

Hard Cheese

Pecorino Romano (alternative to Parmesan, sheep’s milk)

Cheddar (some rare ones made from goat’s cheese, check label)

Semi-hard Cheese

Istara Ossau-Iraty (serve with cherry jam, sheep’s milk)

Manchego (sheep’s milk)

Singletons Parlick Fells (sheep’s milk)

Soft Cheese

Arla Lactofree Cheese (alternative to Gruyere or Emmental, lactose removed)

Coeur de Lion La Buche (goat’s milk)

Feta (some made from sheep’s and/or goat’s milk, check label)

Spreadable Cheese

Arla Lactofree Soft White Cheese (alternative to Philadelphia, lactose removed)

Blue Cheese

Roquefort (alternative to Stilton, sheep’s milk)

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where can I find these products at???

Thanks for posting, I can't live without cheese, now i have more choices. :)

Great list, thank you for sharing. Never heard a lot of these kinds of cheeses.

@Cheryl Carstens - We recently learned our son is allergic to cow products and I agree, the alternatives are very slim. This list has been helpful

Haloumi is also not a cow product

88Paddington88 5 pts

Beware yes real Haloumi shouldn`t contain cows milk. however all the ones that I`ve come across in England, (including imported Cypriot Haloumi) have included cows milk, along with goats & sheeps milk, REMEMBER TO CHECK THE LABELS!!

evelynonline80 9 pts

Thanks for posting, I can't live without cheese, now i have more choices. :)

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cheapbabycarseats 5 pts

Great list, thank you for sharing. Never heard a lot of these kinds of cheeses.

@Cheryl Carstens - We recently learned our son is allergic to cow products and I agree, the alternatives are very slim. This list has been helpful

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Robbie 5 pts

Haloumi is also not a cow product

 Thanks for sharing. I too was found to be allergic to milk products from a cow.So far the pickings are slim so I appreciate any other sources to try. CCarstens

This is just what I needed to see. I have developed RLS from too much cows milk products. This unfortunatly includes chocolate, however I have found if I eat chocolate in very small quantities I am ok. Not having cheese is what I missed and this list now is a huge help. I also think that Buffalo Mozzeralla will be ok for me as well. As long as it isn't made from cow's milk I am fine.

Thanks!!

You can find some nice goat's cheddar cheese - it doesn't get as sharp but does age well.

Great list, thanks for posting. I found out 13 years ago that I'm lactose intolerant, but continued to eat cheese with abandon. Then a month ago, I found out I can't handle the protein in cow's milk (casein). Rats! But I can't live without cheese, and already have stocked my fridge with goat's milk blue cheese, soft goat cheese and sheep's milk pecorino romano, feta and manchego. Now to find a reliable source of non-cow's milk cheddar (how I love my 11 year old sharp as knives cheddar).