Does Brânză granulată 4% contain dairy or gluten?

It contains dairy (milk and cream) but is completely gluten-free.

Is Brânză granulată 4% good for weight loss?

It can be. It provides protein which aids satiety, but it contains fat and calories, so portion control is key.

Where can I buy Brânză granulată 4%?

It is widely available at major Romanian supermarkets (e.g., Kaufland, Lidl, Carrefour) and international grocery stores with an Eastern European section.

Is Brânză granulată 4% safe for kids?

Yes, it is generally safe for children as it contains no caffeine, no added sugar, and no artificial additives.

Is Brânză granulată 4% Gluten Free?

Yes, Brânză granulată 4% is gluten-free. Based on the standard ingredient list for this type of fresh cheese, it is naturally free from gluten, making it a safe option for those with Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. However, while it is safe regarding gluten, it is important to note that it does contain dairy.

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look at ingredients to determine safety and purity. For Brânză granulată 4%, the formula is remarkably simple and adheres to traditional cheese-making methods. Let's look at why these specific ingredients pass the gluten test.

The primary ingredient is Lapte de vacă degresat pasteurizat (pasteurized skimmed milk). Milk is naturally gluten-free. The process of skimming the fat does not introduce any gluten-containing agents. Following this is smântână dulce normalizată (sweet cream). This adds the fat content back to reach the 4% target. Like the milk, cream is a dairy derivative that is inherently gluten-free.

The functional ingredients include sare de uz alimentar (food salt), enzime coagulante (coagulating enzymes), and culturi starter de microorganisme lactice mezofile (mesophilic lactic acid bacteria starter cultures). Salt is mineral-based. The enzymes and bacteria cultures are used to curdle the milk and develop the texture and flavor. In modern cheese production, these are not derived from gluten sources. Therefore, the entire composition of Brânză granulată 4% is free from gluten-containing grains.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Brânză granulată 4% is a moderate-fat dairy product. The '4%' refers to the milk fat content by weight in the dry matter. This places it in the semi-fat category.

Because it is a fresh cheese, it retains much of the protein found in the original milk, making it a decent source of protein for muscle repair and satiety. It is also a source of calcium. However, consumers should be aware that it contains lactoză (lactose), so it is not suitable for those with lactose intolerance unless a lactose-free version is purchased. Regarding calories, the 4% fat content makes it higher in calories than cottage cheese or quark, but generally lower than aged, hard cheeses. It fits well into a balanced diet but should be portion-controlled if you are strictly monitoring fat intake.