Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I am on a special diet. Can I still eat Vella Cheese?
A: Vella Cheese is very appropriate for many special diets.

  • LOW SALT CONTENT: Consistent with quality and flavor, we use the minimum amount of salt, approximately 1% by volume.
  • NO GROWTH HORMONES: Vella Cheese has used milk from Merten's Dairy for more than 20 years. No growth hormones are given to Merten's cows.
  • NO ANIMAL PRODUCTS: Our cheeses are made with vegetable coagulant--not animal rennet.
  • GLUTEN-INTOLERANT OR ALLERGIC TO FOOD ADDITIVES? Other than salt and vegetable rennet, our only other additive is the orange colorant derived from the annato seed that we use in our Sharp, Garlic, and Jalapeno cheddar cheeses.
  • LOW CARB: Our cheeses have less than 0.6 total carbohydrates per ounce.

Q: Is the date on the cheese an expiration date?
A: No, the date on the cheese is the manufacturing date.

Q: I just got my order, and the cheese has bluish-purple ink on it. Will it hurt me?
A: No, the ink we use is USDA-accepted (the same ink used for meat branding) and is safe to eat.

Q: What do I do if my cheese gets moldy?
A: If your cheese develops some mold, don't throw it away. Just cut off the mold and enjoy the rest of your cheese. All cheese molds are penicillin-based and will not harm you.

Q: What is the difference between Mezzo Secco, Dry Jack, and Special Select cheeses?
A: Mezzo Secco is a partially dry Jack, only 3-4 months old. It has a higher fat content to ensure a rich, creamy piece of cheese, making it the easiest of the Dry Jacks to slice or cut. Dry Jack is between 7 and 9 months of age. It is excellent for eating with crackers, bread, fruit, and even alone. Special Select is aged up to 2 years. It is a fine grating or shredding cheese for pasta or salads, or a fin eating cheese with crackers, fruit, or by itself. Many people use Special Select instead of grated Parmesan.
 
 


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