Randy Chandler
Chao Cheese is a vegan cheese product sold by Field Roast. It is made from fresh, whole-food ingredients and does not contain any gluten ingredients. However, it is not certified gluten-free, and most of Field Roast's products are not gluten-free. The cheese has a Swiss-like texture and a mild cheddar taste. It can be used in sandwiches, deli platters, and salads, and can be melted for grilled cheese or pizza.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Company | Field Roast |
| Product | Chao Creamery Dairy-Free Cheeses |
| Ingredients | Filtered water, coconut oil, modified corn and potato starch, fermented tofu (soybeans, water, salt, sesame oil, calcium sulfate), sea salt, natural flavor [vegan], olive extract (antioxidant used as a preservative), and beta carotene |
| Gluten-Free | Yes |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Texture | Swiss-like, smooth, a bit squeaky when cold, melts to a gooey consistency |
| Taste | Mild, inoffensive, lightly tangy, similar to mild cheddar |
| Smell | Lightly tangy |
| Use Cases | Snacking, sandwiches, grilled cheese, pizza |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Chao cheese ingredients
Chao Cheese is a vegan cheese product sold by Field Roast. It is described as having a smooth texture and a mild, subtle flavour. It is coconut-based and seasoned with fermented tofu. It is also dairy-free, melting and stretching like real cheese.
The ingredients in Chao Cheese are as follows:
- Filtered water
- Coconut oil
- Modified potato and corn starch
- Potato starch
- Fermented tofu (soybeans, water, salt, sesame oil)
- Sea salt
- Natural flavour
- Olive extract (antioxidant used as a preservative)
- Beta carotene (colour)
The product contains soy and is not gluten-free, although it does not contain any gluten ingredients. Field Roast uses wheat gluten in many of its products, which is a popular ingredient in fake meats, but Chao Cheese does not contain any gluten-containing ingredients.
Reviews of Chao Cheese are generally positive, with some reviewers stating that it tastes, feels, and melts like real cheese. It is described as having a mild flavour and a subtle smell, with a slightly rubbery texture. Some reviewers prefer it to other vegan cheese options, as it is not grainy and has a tangy flavour.
Gluten-Free Sargento Shredded Parmesan Cheese: Is It Safe?
You may want to see also
Gluten-free certification
Chao Cheese is a vegan cheese product sold by Field Roast. While the product does not specifically label the cheese as gluten-free, it does not contain any gluten ingredients. However, it is important to note that this product is not certified gluten-free.
There are several organizations that offer gluten-free certification, each with its own criteria to ensure safety for consumers. One of the leading organizations is the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO), which is a program of the Gluten Intolerance Group. GFCO works with manufacturers to help them achieve certification and improve their processes to meet strict standards, including requirements that all starting ingredients and finished products test below the applicable gluten-free threshold.
Another certification program is the Gluten-Free Food Program (GFFP), which provides rigorous standards and industry best practices to help manufacturers and brand owners obtain gluten-free certification. GFFP has been praised by some companies for its seamless integration, excellent customer service, and support in increasing customer trust and growth.
The Gluten-Free Certification Program (GFCP) is another management system and facility-based certification. Unlike programs that solely rely on product testing, GFCP examines the entire practices and production process of the facility, from ingredient sourcing to employee training and operational management. Products manufactured in GFCP-certified facilities may bear a clear and easy-to-recognize certification trademark on their packaging.
American Cheese: Gluten-Free or Not?
You may want to see also
Taste and texture
Chao cheese slices have a smooth, Swiss-like texture with a bit of squeakiness when cold, and a gooey consistency when melted. They have a very mild, inoffensive flavour, with a light tanginess and a much less strong odour than other vegan cheese products. The cheese is made from coconut oil and fermented soybean curd, known in Vietnam as "chao".
The slices are a good vegan alternative for those who are not fans of stinky or aged cheeses. They can be eaten straight out of the package or added to sandwiches, deli platters, or salads. They also melt well for grilled cheese or pizza.
While Chao cheese does not contain any gluten ingredients, it is not certified gluten-free. Field Roast, the company that produces Chao cheese, uses wheat gluten in many of its other plant-based meat products.
Chao cheese is described as having a mild flavour, which may be preferable for those who are not accustomed to the stronger flavours of some vegan cheeses. The cheese has a slightly tangy smell, which adds to its appeal for those who may find the odour of other vegan cheeses off-putting.
Overall, the taste and texture of Chao cheese are designed to mimic the characteristics of dairy cheese, and it is a good option for those seeking a vegan alternative that is mild in flavour and melts well.
Gordo's Cheese Dip: Gluten-Free Indulgence
You may want to see also
Explore related products
How to eat it
Chao Cheese is a vegan cheese product sold by Field Roast. It is dairy-free and gluten-free, with no gluten-containing ingredients. However, it is not certified gluten-free. The cheese is made with fermented tofu from Vietnam and has a Swiss-like smooth texture with a mild and inoffensive flavour.
As a snack
Chao Cheese is a good cheese to snack on, especially if you're not a fan of aged cheeses with a strong odour.
In a sandwich
You can add Chao Cheese to a cold cuts sandwich. It also melts well, making it perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches.
With crackers
If you're craving cheese and crackers, Chao Cheese slices can be enjoyed with crackers of your choice.
In pasta dishes
Chao Cheese comes in shreds, which are ideal for pasta dishes like mac and cheese, fajitas, and cheesy mashed potatoes.
In a dip
The creamy, smooth texture of Chao Cheese makes it perfect for a queso dip to enjoy with nachos or veggies.
On a pizza
As Chao Cheese melts well, it can be a great topping for pizzas, adding a creamy, cheesy flavour.
Chao Cheese is a versatile vegan cheese option that can be enjoyed in various dishes or simply as a snack. Its mild flavour and smooth texture make it a popular choice for those looking for a dairy-free alternative to traditional cheese.
Gluten-Free Diet: Laura Lynn Cheese, a Safe Option?
You may want to see also
Other Chao cheese products
Field Roast's Chao Creamery dairy-free cheeses are made from fresh whole-food ingredients and do not contain any gluten. They are, however, not certified gluten-free. The company uses grains, vegetables, legumes, and spices to craft its artisanal plant-based products.
Field Roast currently offers five different styles of Chao Cheese slices: Creamy Original, Tomato Cayenne, Smoked Original, Spicy Original, and Garden Herb. The Creamy Original slices are seasoned with traditionally fermented tofu (chao) and have a Swiss-like smooth texture with a mild and inoffensive flavor. They are a good option for those who are not fans of stinky or aged cheeses. They can be enjoyed straight out of the package or melted in grilled cheese sandwiches.
The slices are marketed as a "coconut cheese alternative," but reviewers note that there is no coconut taste. The coconut is seasoned with a traditionally fermented soybean curd called Chao by the Vietnamese. Field Roast partnered with a Greek cheese maker and a family in Taiwan to create these slices, which are then brought together in Seattle.
Chao Creamery slices are available in some grocery stores, such as Safeway, and online through Amazon.com. They are priced at around $4.99, which is considered reasonable by reviewers.
Smart Beat Cheese: Gluten-Free Superfood?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Chao Cheese is gluten-free. However, it is not certified gluten-free.
Chao Cheese is made from filtered water, coconut oil, modified corn and potato starch, fermented chao tofu (soybeans, water, salt, sesame oil, calcium sulfate), sea salt, natural flavour [vegan], olive extract (antioxidant used as a preservative), and beta carotene.
Chao Cheese has a mild flavour and is said to have the texture of Swiss cheese and the taste of mild cheddar. It is a good cheese to snack on and can be melted for grilled cheese sandwiches.
Yes, Chao Cheese is a vegan cheese product sold by Field Roast.
Chao Cheese can be purchased anywhere cheese is sold.
