A2/A2 cheese. What's the big deal? It's the way all cheese used to be.
posted on
July 31, 2025

Have you heard about the A2/A2 dairy thing?
Sure, I could get into all the science-y stuff behind it. The beta-casein protein structure, the peptides it breaks down into, the mechanisms for how it could cause damage, etc.
But... that seems a little complicated. The way I like to think about the A2/A2 dairy thing is that it's the old fashioned kind. Here's why:
A long time ago, cows underwent a genetic mutation that made them produce a new kind of protein - A1.
You see, all mammals naturally produce milk with 100% A2 protein in it (humans, goats, sheep, mice, whales, etc)... with one exception: COWS.
A couple thousand years ago, cows in Europe were put indoors in cities. They weren't on pasture and couldn't exercise. People started to feed them grain and byproducts from making whisky or beer. They were living an unnatural lifestyle, eating an unnatural diet. The cows were stressed.
And what do living things do under stress? They adapt and sometimes mutate.
Those European cows underwent a genetic mutation that made them produce a new kind of protein in their milk - A1. And then, those cows made their way to the US. And now, basically all cow dairy in the US has a mix of A1 and A2 proteins (also called A1/A2).
The A2 protein is the old fashioned kind. And, gee I'm not surprised that the old fashioned kind is easier to digest and works best for most.
This is especially true for people from eastern countries like India and China. Why? The cows there didn't undergo that mutation. They still produce A2/A2 milk. People there haven't had time to acclimate to the A1 protein.
When someone is intolerant to A1 protein, they generally have tummy troubles. The symptoms can be similar to lactose intolerance: stomach pains, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, etc. Over time, those issues can develop into more chronic issues like IBS or colitis.
I've heard from so many people who haven't had dairy in years and then try A2/A2 and rejoice - "I can eat dairy again!"
Did you know that all of our cheeses are now A2/A2?
That's right! And since cheese basically has the most protein of any other dairy item, it's a great place to start with A2/A2.
We plan to convert our entire herd to A2/A2 by the end of the year. That means that ALL of our dairy will be A2/A2 soon. Stay tuned!
Do you handle A2/A2 dairy better, or does it not matter for you? What are the top things you look for when shopping for dairy?
I'd love to hear from you! Comment below or contact us 😊