Organic Cheese vs. Non Organic

Cheese is a beloved food for many. Its creamy, tangy, and savory qualities make it a versatile ingredient and snack. But with the rise of organic food options, many consumers wonder—is organic cheese better than regular cheese?

When browsing the dairy aisle, you may notice labels touting "organic" cheeses. These cheeses are produced according to certain standards related to how the milk-producing animals are raised. Meanwhile, regular cheese has no such production standards.

How Organic Cheese is Produced

For a cheese to be certified organic, it must be made from organically produced milk. This means the animals are:

• Fed 100% organic feed and forage. No synthetic hormones or antibiotics can be used either.
• Given access to outdoor spaces and pastureland seasonally.
• Raised using organic health care approaches. When sick, animals are treated more holistically.

Additionally, the milking and cheesemaking facilities and equipment cannot contain prohibited substances. Artificial preservatives and colors are avoided as well.

Overall, organic cheese production aims to be more environmentally sustainable and humane for animals. It also results in milk with a different nutritional makeup.

Key Takeaway: Organic cheese begins with milk from cows raised organically without hormones, antibiotics, or artificial ingredients. Their feed and living conditions must meet organic standards.

Nutritional Differences

Several studies have analyzed the nutrient content of organic versus conventionally-produced milk. The findings suggest organic milk contains:

• More "good" fats, including omega-3s and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
• Higher levels of antioxidants like vitamin E and carotenoids
• Greater concentrations of iron, vitamin B, and other micronutrients

Researchers believe the pasture-grazing and organic feed given to organically raised cows boosts levels of these beneficial compounds.

Cheese made from organic milk retains these enhanced nutritional attributes. So organic cheese offers heightened levels of key vitamins, antioxidants, and healthy fats compared to regular cheese.

While this data supports organic as the more nutritious option, more research is still needed. We cannot definitively state that the difference in nutrition leads to health advantages. But overall, organic cheese does appear to offer greater nutritional value.

Key Takeaway: Multiple studies find organic milk and cheese contains more omega-3s, antioxidants, and other beneficial nutrients than conventional dairy products.

Taste and Texture

In addition to nutrition, many die-hard cheese aficionados claim the taste of organic cheese surpasses regular cheese.

They describe organic varieties as having richer, more complex flavors. The superior feed sources (like grass and hay) for the milk cows may impact taste. Likewise, allowing natural behavior like grazing seems to influence flavor.

However, taste remains subjective. Some people genuinely prefer the milder, more uniform quality of regular cheese. Still, food critics often single out small-production organic cheeses for taste awards.

As for texture, there is minimal perceptible difference between organic and regular. Both can achieve appealing creaminess and meltability through proper aging and manufacturing techniques.

Key Takeaway: Many people report better flavor complexity from organic cheeses. But taste depends on individual preferences, the particular cheese, and other factors like aging.

Health Benefits

Given its enhanced nutritional profile with more vitamins, antioxidants and healthy fats, organic cheese would theoretically offer greater health advantages.

Potential benefits linked to some of these nutrients include:

• Omega-3s: heart health, brain function, eye development
• Antioxidants like carotenoids and vitamin E: cancer and disease prevention
• Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA): fat burning and muscle growth
• Vitamin B: cell metabolism and energy production

However, most experts say more research is still needed to confirm whether organic cheese consumption actually translates into measurable health improvements.

There are also downsides to consider. Cheese, organic or not, remains high in saturated fat and calories. Eating too much can negatively impact cholesterol and weight.

Following dietary guidelines for modest dairy intake seems more crucial for health than choosing organic or regular cheese. But when comparing the two, organic appears nutritionally favorable.

Animal Welfare

To meet the organic standards, dairy cows must receive more natural and humane care throughout their lives. Requirements include:

• 100% organic feed
• Access to pasture and open-air facilities seasonally
• No synthetic growth hormones permitted
• Use of homeopathic medicines when sick rather than routine antibiotics

Consequently, choosing organic cheese helps support the ethical treatment of animals. It indicates your dollars go towards properly feeding and sheltering dairy cows plus allowing natural behaviors like grazing.

Studies even show that pasture access and organic living conditions reduce cow stress. In turn, happier animals tend to produce higher milk yields and better quality dairy. So the organic approach benefits both animals and cheese consistency.

Key Takeaway: Organic standards for dairy cattle promote more natural living conditions and diets. This positively impacts animal welfare and dairy quality.

Environmental Sustainability

Organic agriculture utilizes farming techniques aimed at protecting the environment. These practices include:

• Crop rotation to preserve soil health
• Avoiding toxic pesticides and fertilizers
• Composting waste to fertilize naturally
• Conserving water usage
• Promoting biodiversity through pasture grazing

Therefore, buying organic cheese helps fund more eco-friendly food production. It encourages greener approaches to feed sources, land usage, and waste disposal.

Research suggests organic dairies even generate fewer greenhouse gases. Plus the pastureland preserves wildlife habitats and carbon sequestration.

So for consumers concerned about agriculture's environmental footprint, organic cheese is the better choice. It actively contributes to more sustainable farming solutions.

Cost and Availability

The major caveat around organic cheese is its typically higher price point. Costs can range from 10-100% above comparable regular cheese options.

Reasons for the price premium include:

• Smaller production quantities
• Organic certification expenses
• Higher costs for organic feed, medicine, etc.
• Labor-intensive practices like grazing

The scarcity of organic cheese also limits availability. Only around 5% of U.S dairy production is organic. Specialty stores or higher-end grocers usually offer the best organic cheese selection.

On the bright side, costs are dropping as organic dairy production expands. Large manufacturers entering the market also helps increase supply chain efficiencies.

Key Takeaway: Due to smaller output volumes and higher production expenses, organic cheese sells at premium prices and has limited accessibility currently. But the market is growing to help address availability and affordability issues.

Potential Drawbacks

While this article focuses on the advantages of organic cheese, there are a few arguments against it to note:

• No consensus on tangible health benefits: As mentioned, there is no definitive proof that the enhanced nutrition in organic cheese truly improves consumer health. The body may not absorb or utilize the extra compounds.
• Foodborne illness risks: A small proportion of organic cheese is made from raw (unpasteurized) milk. Such raw milk cheeses actually carry higher risks for bacterial contamination like salmonella or E. coli since they don't undergo heat treatment. However, similar raw milk cheeses exist among regular (non-organic) varieties too. And food safety issues around raw milk impact both types.
• Greenwashing concerns: Not all organic farms actually implement sustainable practices. Some attempting to capitalize on the organic craze focus more on marketing than meaningful change. Without proper USDA oversight, false advertising can occur. However, reputable organic cheesemakers should hold valid USDA certification.
• Limited evidence for animal welfare claims: While organic standards sound great for animal wellbeing, little research confirms whether organic dairy cattle actually live happier, healthier lives. However, the fundamentals around feed, medicine protocols, and living conditions should better support animal welfare than non-organic operations.

So organic cheese has some legitimate critiques, but they mostly revolve around wanting more evidence and accountability. None disprove the foundational principles behind organic production. When purchased from certified, ethical producers, organic cheese appears to deliver on its promises around sustainability, nutrition, and humane animal treatment.

FAQs

Is organic cheese better for you?

Yes, organic cheese does seem nutritionally superior thanks to more antioxidants, vitamins, and healthy fats like omega-3s. However, experts disagree whether that directly translates into consumer health advantages.

Is all organic cheese made from raw milk?

No. Like regular cheese, organic cheeses use both pasteurized and raw milk. But raw milk cheeses make up a very small percentage of the overall organic market.

Does organic cheese taste different?

Opinions vary. Some people detect richer, more nuanced flavors from organic cheese. But taste evaluation remains subjective. The age, type of cheese, and individual preferences all influence taste perception.

Is organic cheese safe?

Properly produced organic cheese must meet the same federal food safety regulations as regular cheese. However, a portion of organic cheeses use raw milk which carries higher risks if contamination occurs. But similar raw milk specialty cheeses exist among non-organic producers too. Overall, both organic and regular cheeses are considered safe.

Is organic cheese more expensive?

Yes. Due to smaller production volumes, premium feed costs, and more labor-intensive practices, organic cheese prices run higher than conventional cheese. But expenses are coming down year-over-year as output increases.

Conclusion

While no food is perfect, the principles behind organic cheese set it apart from regular varieties. By utilizing more sustainable practices to bring cheese from grass to table, organic dairy farmers make choices that benefit the environment, animal welfare, and nutrition.

Granted, affordability issues and availability limitations still exist with organic cheese. The health advantages also need further substantiation. But all signs point to a brighter, greener future as organic production expands.