Frederic Melton
Cashew cheese is a vegan alternative to traditional cheese. It is made from a blend of cashews, water, almonds, vegan cultures, salt, olive oil, and spices. Some people prefer cashew cheese over traditional cheese due to its taste and texture, as well as the fact that it is lactose-free, gluten-free, and soy-free. It is also a healthier option for those who are lactose intolerant or wish to cut down on dairy due to the negative health impacts associated with it, such as adult acne, bloating, and weight gain. However, cashew cheese is calorie-dense and lacks the calcium found in dairy cheese. It is also more expensive than traditional cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Taste | Cashew cheese is considered by some to be better than regular cheese, and better than other vegan cheeses. |
| Nutritional value | Cashew cheese is a calorie-dense food with minimal protein content. It does not contain calcium, but can be a good source of vitamin B12, vitamin C, zinc, iron, potassium, magnesium, vitamin E, vitamin K, and manganese. |
| Environmental impact | Cashew harvesting can be destructive to human workers, and environmentally damaging. |
| Cost | Cashew cheese is considered to be expensive. |
| Availability | Cashew cheese is available in some cafes and restaurants, and can also be made at home. |
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What You'll Learn
Cashew cheese is a healthy, vegan alternative to dairy cheese
Cashew cheese has a similar taste and texture to dairy cheese, stretching and melting in the same way. It is available in a variety of flavors, including Smoked Cheddar, Smoked Gouda, and Aged Herbes De Provence. It can be used in a range of dishes, including pizzas, salads, paninis, and macaroni cheese.
Some people prefer the taste of cashew cheese to that of dairy cheese, and it is a good option for those who are vegan or lactose intolerant. It is also a more ethical choice, as the dairy industry has been criticized for its treatment of animals.
However, cashew cheese is not a direct nutritional replacement for dairy cheese, as it has a high-calorie content and low protein levels. It can also be expensive, and the process of harvesting cashews can be destructive to human workers. Despite this, cashew cheese is a healthy and tasty alternative to dairy cheese for those who are looking for vegan options.
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It is nutritionally dense and can be made at home
Cashew cheese is a nutritionally dense food that can be made at home. It is a vegan alternative to dairy cheese and is made from blended cashew nuts. The creamy texture of cashew cheese makes it a great substitute for dairy cheese in recipes such as pasta, pizza, and salads.
To make cashew cheese at home, you will need to soak the cashews in filtered water for 6-8 hours or overnight. The soaking is essential for the texture of the cheese, so it is important not to skip this step. After the cashews have been soaked, they are blended together with the other ingredients until smooth and creamy. The cheese can then be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for 3-5 days.
Some people choose to add ingredients such as lemon zest, cranberries, or chipotle to their cashew cheese for extra flavor. Others use it as a base for sauces, such as a cheese sauce or a cheddary spread. Cashew cheese can also be used to make a vegan version of buffalo chicken dip or mac and cheese.
Cashew cheese is a good source of vitamin B12, which is important for vegans as it can be difficult to get enough of this nutrient from plant-based sources. However, it is important to note that cashew cheese does not contain calcium, so it is not a direct nutritional replacement for dairy cheese. It is possible to get calcium from other vegan sources, such as fortified alternative milks, orange juice, leafy greens, and some nuts and seeds.
Overall, cashew cheese is a nutritionally dense food that can be easily made at home. It is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of recipes and is a good source of vitamin B12 for those following a vegan diet.
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It is a good source of vitamin B12
Cashew cheese can be a good source of vitamin B12, depending on the product. Vitamin B12 is essential for normal physiological functioning, including the formation of red blood cells and proper brain function. It is naturally found only in animal products, but some plant-based cheese alternatives are fortified with vitamin B12.
In a study of 245 non-dairy plant-based cheese alternatives, only 14% were fortified with vitamin B12. Cashew-based cheeses were more likely to have higher protein levels and lower sodium and saturated fat levels than coconut-based cheeses, which were more frequently fortified with vitamin B12.
Another study of 40 plant-based cheese alternatives found that cashew-based cheeses had higher protein levels than coconut-based cheeses, but it did not address fortification. While cashew cheese can be a good source of vitamin B12, it is important to check the nutritional content as only a small percentage of non-dairy cheese alternatives are fortified with this vitamin.
Vitamin B12 is important for maintaining healthy nerve cells, supporting brain function, and assisting in the production of DNA and red blood cells. It is a water-soluble vitamin, and any excess is stored in the liver for future use. The recommended daily intake for vitamin B12 is 2.4 micrograms for adults, with slightly higher requirements for pregnant and nursing women. If you are unable to meet your vitamin B12 needs through diet alone, supplements or fortified foods may be appropriate.
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It is a calorie-dense food
Cashew cheese is a calorie-dense food. Cashews have roughly 10 calories per nut, so a dish made primarily of cashews can be calorific. For this reason, some people view cashew cheese as an indulgent food or a flavour booster rather than an everyday food.
However, cashew cheese is a nutritionally dense food. Nutritional yeast, a common ingredient in cashew cheese, contains high levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid (B9), which help the body to make and maintain DNA and red blood cells. Garlic, another common ingredient, contains small amounts of vitamin C, zinc, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, vitamin E, vitamin K, and manganese.
Cashew cheese is also a healthier alternative to dairy cheese, which often contains hormones, extra calories, and cholesterol. Many people turn to cashew cheese as a vegan alternative to dairy cheese, as it stretches and melts like dairy cheese and has a great flavour and texture.
While cashew cheese is a calorie-dense food, it is also a nutritionally dense food that can be a healthy alternative to dairy cheese.
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It is versatile and can be used in sauces, dips, and on pizzas
Cashew cheese is a versatile vegan alternative to dairy cheese. It can be used in a variety of dishes, including sauces, dips, and pizzas, adding a cheesy flavour and texture.
When it comes to sauces, cashew cheese is a popular choice for those following a vegan diet. It can be used as a base for a cheese sauce, with some preferring to add ingredients like salt, nooch (nutritional yeast), and fresh garlic to taste. Others opt for a combination of nooch, miso, and acid or lemon juice for a pourable mozzarella sauce. Cashew cheese sauces can be used in various dishes, such as burritos and pretzels, or simply enjoyed with pretzels or vegetables for dipping.
Cashew cheese is also a key ingredient in dips. For instance, combining a few spoons of cashew cheese with salsa and heating it up creates a delicious, spicy nacho cheese dip. Cashew cheese can also be used as a base for more complex dips, such as the popular Cranberry & Dill Vegan Goat Cheese by Yvonne's Vegan Kitchen, which includes ingredients like organic cashews, filtered water, organic coconut oil, grapeseed oil, and Himalayan sea salt.
In addition to sauces and dips, cashew cheese is a favoured topping for pizzas. Miyoko's Organic Cashew Milk Mozzarella, for example, is a cashew-based vegan cheese that tastes fantastic on pizzas, adding a stretchy, melty texture similar to dairy cheese. Cashew cheese can also be used to create other pizza toppings, such as a pourable vegan cashew mozzarella or a vegan margherita with dollops of cashew cheese and fresh basil.
While cashew cheese is a tasty and versatile option for vegan dishes, it is important to consider its nutritional profile. Cashew cheese is calorie-dense, and while it offers some nutritional benefits, it does not contain calcium, so it is not a direct nutritional replacement for dairy cheese. However, vegans can obtain calcium from other sources, such as fortified alternative milks, leafy greens, and some nuts and seeds.
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