Bushra Griffith
Dairy-free cheese is a popular alternative to traditional cheese, offering vegan and lactose-intolerant options. The market for dairy-free cheese has evolved, with soy falling out of favour due to allergy concerns. Today, most dairy-free cheese is made with coconut oil, starches, and various flavourings. While some brands still offer soy-based options, others have shifted to nut-based or seed-based ingredients. The variety of dairy-free cheese options available today provides consumers with a range of choices to suit their dietary needs and preferences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dairy-free cheese with soy | Exists |
| Dairy-free cheese without soy | Exists |
| Dairy-free cheese market | Initially focused on soy, but it fell out of favour |
| Vegan cheese ingredients | Coconut oil, starches, cashews, nutritional yeast, palm oil, tofu, almonds |
| Dairy-free cheese brands | Follow Your Heart, Violife, Daiya, Tofutti, Treeline, Parmela, Field Roast, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods 365, Miokos |
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What You'll Learn
Dairy-free cheese brands that contain soy
The dairy-free cheese market initially focused on soy-based products, but soy gradually fell out of favour as a key ingredient. This shift occurred because soy is a common allergen, and consumers demanded alternative ingredients. As a result, many leading vegan cheese brands now avoid using soy in their products. However, some brands continue to produce dairy-free cheese that contains soy, and it is also possible to make soy-based dairy-free cheese at home.
One brand that continues to use soy in its dairy-free cheese products is Tofutti. Tofutti is a well-known company that offers a range of dairy-free cheese options, including vegan cream cheese and dairy-free American cheese slices. Their products are made with tofu, Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)-certified palm oil, and maltodextrin. However, Tofutti's cheese slices have been criticised for not melting properly and lacking flavour.
Another brand that uses soy in its dairy-free cheese products is Cheeze & Thank You. This company crafts artisanal vegan cheese wedges using organic soy milk and organic tofu. Their products are currently sold in natural food stores like Whole Foods in the United States. Cheeze & Thank You offers both local pickup in Denver and shipping throughout the country, and their products can also be found in some vegan specialty shops.
Mrs Cheng's Soy Cheese is another brand that, as the name suggests, uses soy in its dairy-free cheese products. This brand is based in Oahu, Hawaii, and their cheese alternative is crafted with house-made tofu and unique spices like anise and cinnamon.
One Love Planet, a New Zealand-based dairy-free cheesery, offers a range of cheese alternatives, some of which are soy-based. Their organic soy selection includes Chevie, Brie, and more.
Veggie Karma, based in Barcelona, Spain, also offers a selection of vegan cheeses made with a base of soy. Their product range includes ricotta and mozzarella, and they ship their products throughout Europe.
In addition to these brands, some smaller companies and artisans also create dairy-free cheese products that contain soy. These may be available at local farmers' markets or specialty food stores.
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Dairy-free cheese brands that don't contain soy
Dairy-free cheese is usually made with coconut oil and starches, and most of the vegan cheeses sold in supermarkets today are soy-free. However, some brands still use soy, and it is always good to double-check the ingredients and allergen information before purchasing.
Violife
Violife is a popular dairy-free cheese brand that is also soy-free, gluten-free, lactose-free, nut-free, and preservative-free. Their products include plant butter, cream cheese, feta, and Just Like Parmesan. While their cheese has a similar appearance and texture to real parmesan, it has been described as having a sour and funky flavor.
Follow Your Heart
Follow Your Heart is another well-known dairy-free cheese brand with a 4.5/5 rating. They offer a range of vegan cheese products, including dairy-free parmesan, crumbled blue cheese, shreds, blocked mozzarella, and feta crumbles. Their Smoked Gouda, made from potato and corn starch, is entirely soy-free.
Daiya
Daiya is a major brand in the dairy-free cheese space, offering shreds, slices, sticks, cream cheese, and more. Their products are made with tapioca starch, coconut oil, and chickpea protein, and their new and improved formula is soy-free.
Field Roast's Chao Creamery
Chao Creamery by Field Roast is a vegan cheese brand that has been popular among vegans for years. Their Original Chao, made with coconut oil and starch, is a favorite for sandwiches and quesadillas, with a flavor and texture similar to mild cheddar. While their products contain fermented tofu, they are soy-free.
TyK Affinage
TyK Affinage is a French brand that produces a vegan blue cheese with zero soy.
Other dairy-free cheese brands that don't contain soy include Cheeze & Thank You, Mrs. Cheng's Soy Cheese, One Love Planet, and Veggie Karma.
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The history of soy in dairy-free cheese
In the 1990s, vegan cheese sometimes cost twice as much as dairy cheese. From 2018 onwards, several new companies were founded to make animal-free cheese, and the market for vegan cheese grew on a global scale. According to market research, Europe had the greatest market share of 43%, followed by North America, Asia-Pacific, South America, and the Middle East.
In its infancy, the dairy-free cheese market was focused almost exclusively on soy. However, soy gradually fell out of favor, and most leading vegan cheese brands reformulated their recipes to exclude common allergens, including soy. This shift away from soy was likely influenced by the emergence of effective soy-free alternatives, such as coconut oil, starches, and other plant-based proteins.
Despite this shift, some companies have continued to produce dairy-free soy cheese, and there are indications that soy-based cheese may experience a resurgence in popularity. Field Roast, a vegan meat alternative company, launched its dairy-free cheese line during the heart of the anti-soy movement, recognizing the umami value of fermented soy in mimicking cheese. Their products can now be found in many stores throughout the US. Additionally, some smaller companies, such as Cheeze & Thank You and Mrs. Cheng's Soy Cheese, offer dairy-free soy cheese options in select markets.
While the use of soy in dairy-free cheese has fluctuated, it has played a significant role in the development of the industry. Today, consumers have a wide range of options, including both soy-based and soy-free dairy-free cheeses, allowing them to choose based on their dietary preferences and needs.
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How to make your own dairy-free cheese
Dairy-free cheese is usually made with coconut oil as the main ingredient, along with starches and flavourings. However, you can also make it at home with a few simple ingredients.
One recipe for a soft, spreadable vegan cheese suggests blending soaked cashews with seasonings for flavour, wrapping the mixture in cheesecloth to absorb liquid, and then chilling it. You can add more water to the base mix to get a runnier, stretchy texture that is great for fondues or nachos. Adding less water will result in a thick mixture that can be sliced and added to pizza or toast.
Another recipe for a vegan cheese with a soft cheese-like consistency includes cashew nuts or sunflower seeds as the main base, nutritional yeast for a savoury, cheesy flavour, and seasonings like garlic powder and salt.
For a firmer cheese, you can use less water in the mixture. You can also melt dairy-free cheese in the microwave or oven for a creamier texture.
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The science of replicating cheese
Dairy-free cheese has become increasingly popular in recent years, with many people adopting vegan, vegetarian, or dairy-free diets. The science of replicating cheese typically involves using plant-based alternatives to traditional dairy ingredients, such as nuts, seeds, and soy.
One of the key challenges in replicating cheese is achieving the same creamy texture and meltability as dairy cheese. This is often accomplished by using nuts, such as cashews, macadamia nuts, blanched almonds, or raw sunflower seeds, which provide a creamy texture. These nuts are typically softened by soaking or boiling before being blended into a smooth paste. Coconut oil is also commonly used as it solidifies when chilled, giving the cheese a firmer texture.
Additionally, dairy-free cheese makers aim to replicate the distinct flavours of different types of cheese. This can be achieved through various ingredients, such as garlic, olive brine, and herbs like thyme, dill, rosemary, parsley, or basil. Miso, a fermented soybean product, is also used to add umami and salty flavours to cheese.
Some dairy-free cheese brands have also focused on creating allergen-free products, avoiding common allergens like nuts and soy. Starch-based recipes, for example, provide an alternative that is free of allergens, GMOs, preservatives, gluten, and soy.
The melting behaviour of dairy-free cheese differs from that of traditional cheese due to the absence of dairy sugars and proteins. Dairy-free cheese may not brown in the same way when cooked, and even when melted, it can retain its original shape. To achieve the perfect melt, dairy-free cheese may require higher temperatures or a combination of microwaving and oven baking.
Overall, the science of replicating cheese involves a combination of plant-based ingredients and innovative techniques to recreate the texture, melt, and flavour of traditional cheese, while also addressing dietary restrictions and allergen concerns.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the brand and type of dairy-free cheese. Some dairy-free cheese brands use soy protein, tofu, or soy milk as a base, while others use nuts, coconut oil, or starches.
Soy is used in dairy-free cheese to mimic the umami flavour and texture of regular cheese.
Yes, popular dairy-free cheese brands that don't use soy include Violife, Follow Your Heart, and TyK Affinage.
Yes, Tofutti is a well-known dairy-free cheese brand that uses soy. However, reviews of their products are mixed, with some people finding that it doesn't melt well and has a lack of flavour.
Yes, there are recipes available online for making dairy-free cheese at home without soy. Common ingredients used in these recipes include cashews, nutritional yeast, and coconut oil.
