Choosing the Right Type of Cottage Cheese

Cottage Cheese is a soft cheese that is high in calcium for bone health and is a good source of protein with essential amino acids.

It is a staple in a high protein diet but has a versatility that makes it suitable to both savory and sweet recipes.

Cottage cheese is made by adding acid like vinegar, lemon juice, or rennet to warmed milk to separate the solid curds from the liquid whey. Cream and salt may be added for creaminess and and additional flavor.

You can buy your own or make your own homemade cottage cheese with just a few ingredients.

Jump to:

• Fat Content
• Curd Size
• Creaminess
• Other cottage cheese classifications
• Other considerations when choosing the right cottage cheese for you
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions

With all of the different types of cottage cheese it can be difficult to determine the best type to use. But to know what the best type of cottage cheese is you must first know all of the cottage cheeses available.

Fat Content

Cottage Cheese is classified as one of the following: fat free (less than 0.5% milkfat), low fat (generally 1-2% milkfat), full fat (4+% milkfat).

Nonfat cottage cheese is made from skim milk that contains no fat. It generally not only has less fat but also less calories which can be a positive for anyone looking for a low calorie diet. However, beware of added ingredients in nonfat cottage cheese as it is common to see additional ingredients in fat free cottage cheese than in full fat cottage cheese.

Low fat, or reduced fat, cottage cheese is made from 1% or 2% milk.

Full fat cottage cheese is a creamy option that has a minimum of 4% milkfat.

Curd Size

Large curd cottage cheese is made using rennet, an enzyme that helps the curds to coagulate. As it’s name implies, the curds are larger in size due to the increased coagulation.

Small curd cottage cheese is made with an acid other than rennet, like lemon juice or vinegar, so the curds tend to be smaller in size.

Creaminess

The consistency of the cottage cheese is often more dependent on the added ingredients as opposed to the type of milk used. Cream is a common addition to add extra richness and creaminess.

Other cottage cheese classifications

Probiotic

For added health benefits look for cottage cheese that have “live” or “active probiotic cultures” in the ingredient list like lactobacillus.

Whipped

Whipped cottage cheese is made by blending cottage cheese until it is smooth, light, and airy. It is perfect as a dip or spread or can be used in recipes. Making your own homemade whipped cottage cheese is very easy and can done in minutes.

Organic

Organic cottage cheese is typically made from milk from cows that have been raised without antibiotics, synthetic hormones, GMOs or pesticides. Organic cottage cheese typically has fewer ingredients so it tends to be full fat for a richer flavor that doesn’t need many added ingredients. Keep in mind that the “organic” label can sometimes be misleading so do your own research and carefully inspect the labels and ingredient list.

Making your own homemade cottage cheese is one way to ensure only the cleanest ingredients are being used.

A2

A2 cottage cheese is made from milk from dairy cows that only produce the A2 casein protein. This is an important consideration if dairy tends to cause digestive issues and I have devoted a full article just on A2 cottage cheese.

Lactose Free

Lactose free cottage cheese is made by adding lactase enzyme to breakdown the lactose.

In general, lactose amounts are decreased in cottage cheese compared to some other dairy products so it is possible to tolerate cottage cheese if your lactose sensitivity is mild.

Lactose free cottage cheese can be hard to find so if you can’t find it you can always make your own homemade lactose free cottage cheese.

Other considerations when choosing the right cottage cheese for you

• Uses. Are you eating the cottage cheese plain or are you adding it to a recipe? Full fat cottage cheese may be better suited for HIGH PROTEIN RECIPES whereas low fat cottage cheese may be better for recipes that need a lower moisture content.
• Dairy sensitivities. If you are lactose intolerant or have a general sensitivity to dairy then you may consider looking for a lactose free cottage cheese or A2 COTTAGE CHEESE which has been shown to be easier to digest than other cottage cheeses.
• Sodium. Cottage cheese tends to have a lot of sodium so read the labels carefully and choose a cottage cheese with right sodium level for you. In general, nonfat cottage cheese tends to have lower sodium levels, however if you are on a low sodium diet then look for “no sodium added” or “no sodium added” labels.
• Protein. Lower fat cottage cheese tends to have lower amounts of protein per serving so if you are trying to increase you protein intake, choose a full fat cottage cheese.
• Growth Hormones. More awareness about the dangers of dairy cows treated with growth hormones to increased milk production is present. Read labels carefully and look for “no added hormones”, “raised without hormones”, or “no hormones administered” if you would like to avoid eating products that may contain added hormones.
• Added Ingredients. As mentioned earlier, cottage cheese can have a lot of added ingredients that may be counter intuitive to your nutrition goals. Common stabilizers added include maltodextrin, guar gum, mono and diglycerides, xanthan gum, carrageenan, and carob bean gum. Carbon dioxide and Potassium sorbate may be added as preservatives to maintain freshness and extend shelf life. Cream, lactose, and salt are other common ingredients.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the type of cottage cheese you need is dependent on many factors and personal preference. I have my top cottage cheese brands that I come back to time and time again however there are many homemade options available as well for less cost and better ingredients than you can often find in store bought options.

Frequently Asked Questions