Bushra Griffith
While cheese is traditionally made with milk protein, there are now many options for those who are lactose intolerant or prefer plant-based alternatives. These include dairy-free cheeses made from nuts, seeds, and plant-based proteins, as well as low-lactose cheeses that are safe for most people with lactose intolerance. The market for vegan cheese is growing, and several new companies have been founded to create animal-free cheese, including New Culture, Change Foods, Legendairy Foods, and Better Dairy.
Are any cheeses made without milk protein?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Casein-free cheese | Made from nuts, such as cashews, coconut, or almond milk |
| Made from seeds, such as sesame, sunflower, pine nut, peanuts, or soybeans | |
| Made from other ingredients, such as coconut oil, nutritional yeast, tapioca, rice, or potatoes | |
| Fermented tofu (furu) has been a vegan cheese alternative since the 16th century | |
| Commercially available since the 1970s or 1980s | |
| Can be made with precision-fermented casein produced by yeast rather than by cows | |
| Can be made with genetically engineered yeast to synthesize cow milk proteins | |
| Lactose-free cheese | Havarti, Muenster, Camembert, and Brie are low-lactose cheeses |
| Swiss, Cheddar, Colby, Mozzarella, and Monterey Jack are virtually lactose-free | |
| Aged cheeses, such as Parmigiano Reggiano, are also virtually lactose-free | |
| Hard cheeses are generally safer for those with lactose intolerance |
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What You'll Learn
Lactose intolerance and non-dairy cheese
Lactose intolerance is a condition that affects a person's ability to digest lactose, a natural sugar found in dairy products. While it is different from a milk allergy, which is an immune response to milk proteins, lactose intolerance can cause uncomfortable digestive issues such as bloating, gas, cramping, and stomach pain.
Fortunately, for those with lactose intolerance, there are several cheese options that are naturally low in lactose or lactose-free. Hard cheeses such as cheddar, colby, Swiss, mozzarella, and Monterey Jack are considered virtually lactose-free. Aged cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano also fall into this category, as the cheesemaking process removes most of the lactose.
For those who want to avoid dairy altogether, there are many non-dairy cheese alternatives available. These vegan cheeses are made from plant-based proteins, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and other ingredients. Common bases for dairy-free cheese include cashews, almonds, and coconut. The manufacturing process often involves fermentation to replicate the texture and flavor of dairy cheese, but it is a different process due to the different way plant-based proteins react to culturing agents.
Some popular dairy-free cheese options include:
- Miyoko's aged smokehouse cheddar, a semi-hard cheese crafted using cashew milk and smoked for over four weeks
- Violife's dairy-free smoked gouda, which is free from soy, gluten, nuts, and preservatives
- Treeline's dairy-free goat-style cheese, which comes in original, blueberry, and garlic and basil flavors
- Kite Hill's dairy-free ricotta, which can be used in both sweet and savory recipes
- Follow Your Heart's dairy-free parmesan cheese, a great topper for salads and pasta
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Casein-free cheese made from nuts
Casein is a type of protein found in all milk products. While there aren't any dairy cheeses that don't contain casein, there are many casein-free cheese alternatives made from nuts. These dairy-free cheeses are perfect for those with casein or lactose allergies, or those who are lactose intolerant.
One popular brand of dairy-free cheese made from nuts is Treeline, which makes three versions of its dairy-free goat-style cheese: original, blueberry, and garlic and basil. The blueberry flavour was voted the best vegan cheese by USA Today’s Reader’s Choice Awards. While the blueberry flavour is sweet and tart, pairing well with salads and greens, the garlic and basil flavour is perfect for pizza, pasta, or bruschetta. Treeline's cheeses are made from a base of cashews, which are high in fat, aiding in creating a creamy texture.
Another brand of dairy-free cheese made from cashews is Nuts For Cheese, which offers artisanal, handcrafted, and fermented products. Their products include dips, butters, and cheeses, and are all certified organic, 100% dairy-free, vegan, and gluten-free.
There are also many other brands of dairy-free cheese that are not made from nuts, such as Daiya, which is a staple in the veggie cheese arena, and Follow Your Heart, which offers a dairy-free parmesan cheese.
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Low-lactose cheeses for the intolerant
Lactose intolerance can cause a range of uncomfortable digestive issues, including bloating, gas, cramping, and stomach pain. However, this does not mean that those affected need to give up cheese entirely. There are several types of cheese that are naturally low in lactose or lactose-free, which can be enjoyed in moderation.
Hard cheeses such as cheddar, colby, Swiss, mozzarella, and Monterey Jack are "virtually lactose-free". This is because the lactose is removed during the cheesemaking process, along with the water and whey. Other hard cheeses with low lactose content include Parmigiano Reggiano, which has less than 1 mg of lactose per 100 g, and Havarti, which has around 0.1% to 2% lactose.
Some soft cheeses also have relatively low lactose content. Muenster cheese has a 0-1.1% lactose range, while Camembert and Brie have 0-1.8% and 0-2% lactose ranges, respectively. These cheeses can be enjoyed in small amounts by those with lactose intolerance, depending on their individual tolerance levels.
For those who cannot tolerate any milk products, there are also non-dairy cheese options available. These vegan cheeses are often made from plant-based proteins, seeds, or nuts and can provide a good alternative for those with lactose intolerance or milk allergies. Common ingredients in vegan cheeses include soybeans, almonds, cashews, coconut oil, nutritional yeast, tapioca, rice, and potatoes. While vegan cheeses may not provide the same amount of calcium and protein as dairy cheese, they can be a useful source of riboflavin and vitamin B12.
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Vegan cheese: animal-free and plant-based
Vegan cheese, also known as plant-based cheese, is a dairy-free alternative to traditional cheese. It is made without milk protein, which is typically found in all milk products, including cheese. Instead, vegan cheese is made with plant-based proteins and fats derived from vegetables, seeds, nuts, and soybeans.
The process of fermentation is often used to create vegan cheese, replicating the texture and flavor of dairy cheese. However, the proteins in plant-based milk react differently to culturing agents, resulting in a different coagulation process compared to traditional cheese-making. Vegan cheese makers use a blend of gums, protein solids, and fats to mimic the mouthfeel and melt of dairy cheese, as cheese made with nuts does not melt due to its solid base.
Vegan cheese has been commercially available since the 1970s or 1980s, with early versions made from soy flour, margarine, and yeast extract. The hardness of the margarine determined the texture of the cheese, with harder margarine resulting in a firmer, sliceable cheese, and softer margarine producing a spreadable cheese.
Today, there are numerous options for vegan cheese, including shredded, sliced, spreadable, and block varieties. Some popular brands include Daiya, Follow Your Heart, Treeline, Miyoko's, and Violife. These cheeses are made with various bases, such as cashews, almonds, coconut, and sesame seeds, and are designed to melt, spread, or crumble just like their dairy counterparts.
Vegan cheese is a good option for those with lactose intolerance or milk allergies, as it does not contain lactose or milk proteins. However, it is important to note that vegan cheese generally has lower protein content compared to dairy cheese.
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Fermentation and non-dairy cheese
Fermentation is a crucial process in cheese production, and it involves several steps. Firstly, milk is prepared and inoculated with lactic-acid-producing bacteria, which are essential microorganisms that promote curdling. The type of microorganisms used depends on the cheese variety and production process. This is followed by curdling the milk, cutting and shrinking the curd (by cooking), draining or dipping the whey, salting, pressing, and ripening.
While there are no dairy cheeses that do not contain casein, a type of protein found in all milk products, there are lactose-free dairy cheeses. Lactose is a carbohydrate found in most milk products, and lactose intolerance can cause digestive issues such as diarrhoea, bloating, and gas. Some cheeses with low lactose content include Muenster (0-1.1% lactose), Camembert (0-1.8% lactose), and Swiss cheese (0-3.4% lactose).
For those with lactose intolerance or milk allergies, dairy-free cheese made from nuts, especially cashews, is a popular option. These non-dairy cheeses can be melted, shredded, or spread, and are often used in vegan dishes like charcuterie boards, grilled cheese, and cheeseburgers. Some brands offering dairy-free cheese include Daiya, Follow Your Heart, Field Roast, Miyoko's, and Violife. These cheeses are free from dairy, soy, gluten, eggs, peanuts, fish, shellfish, and tree nuts.
In addition to being a lactose-free option, non-dairy cheese can also be a healthier alternative when made with high-quality, natural ingredients. Fermented dairy products, including cheese, offer health benefits such as improved gut health and a boosted immune system. Grass-fed, grass-finished cheese, for example, is a unique type of cheese that combines the benefits of fermentation with a grass-based diet, resulting in higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A and E, and antioxidants.
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Frequently asked questions
While there are no dairy cheeses that don't contain casein, a milk protein, there are several types of cheese that are dairy-free and made without milk protein. These include vegan cheeses, which are made from plant-based proteins, and lactose-free cheeses, which are suitable for people with lactose intolerance.
Vegan cheese can be made from a variety of plant-based sources, including vegetables, seeds, nuts, and soybeans. For example, Treeline makes dairy-free goat-style cheese from cashews, and Follow Your Heart makes a dairy-free parmesan cheese.
Examples of cheeses that are naturally lactose-free or have low lactose content include Swiss, Havarti, Limburger, Muenster, Camembert, and Brie.
Vegan and lactose-free cheeses are suitable for people with lactose intolerance or milk allergies. They can also be a good option for those who are vegetarian or who prefer plant-based alternatives.
