Kamil Perry
Dairy-free cheese has come a long way, with a variety of options now available to satisfy cheese cravings. While some people may be avoiding dairy due to allergies, lactose intolerance, or to reduce their carbon footprint, giving up cheese is no easy feat. Luckily, there are now several options for those seeking a cheese alternative, with some options even melting and tasting like the real thing. From mozzarella to cheddar, gouda, and feta, there is a dairy-free option for almost every type of cheese. However, with the market flooded with choices, it can be hard to know which ones are worth trying. Many factors come into play when choosing a dairy-free cheese, with flavour and texture being the most important. So, which dairy-free cheeses are actually worth buying?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Taste | Some dairy-free cheeses have a plasticky flavour, while others have a tangy undercurrent. Some people find that dairy-free cheese doesn't taste like cheese. |
| Texture | Dairy-free cheese can be smooth, creamy, grainy, or plasticky. Some varieties have a texture similar to dairy cheese, while others lack the signature creaminess of dairy cheese. |
| Melt | Dairy-free cheese varies in its melting ability. Some varieties melt well and evenly, while others do not melt at all or become globby when melted. |
| Ingredients | Dairy-free cheese is often made with ingredients such as cashews, coconut oil, almond milk, tapioca starch, chickpea protein, and nutritional yeast. |
| Brands | Popular brands of dairy-free cheese include Violife, Daiya, Follow Your Heart, Trader Joe's, Field Roast, Miyoko's, and SriMu. |
| Availability | Dairy-free cheese is available at various retailers, including Winco, Walmart, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's. Some brands, such as Daiya, offer a wide range of products, including shreds, slices, sticks, and cream cheese. |
| Price | The price of dairy-free cheese varies, with some options being more affordable than others. For example, Daiya cheddar-style shreds are priced at $4.99. |
| Health and Dietary Considerations | Dairy-free cheese is a good option for those who are lactose intolerant, allergic to dairy, or looking to reduce their dairy intake or carbon footprint. Some varieties are also soy-free, gluten-free, nut-free, and preservative-free. |
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Taste and texture
Some dairy-free cheeses have been described as having a plasticky or grainy texture and an unpleasant flavor. The Daiya brand, for instance, is known for its variety of dairy-free cheese products, but its cheddar-style shreds have been criticized for their texture and poor melting capabilities. Similarly, Trader Joe's almond-based mozzarella received low ratings due to its mushy texture and inadequate melting properties.
On the other hand, some dairy-free cheeses have impressed consumers with their taste and texture. Follow Your Heart's dairy-free parmesan cheese has received praise for its salty tinge, texture, and slight stinky smell, resembling real dairy parmesan. Another impressive option is Field Roast's Chao cheese, which is known for its creaminess and perfect melting capabilities, making it a delicious addition to sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, and more.
Dairy-free cheeses can also be used in cooking to enhance the flavor of dishes. For instance, baking a dairy-free feta alternative with vegetables and blending it into a pasta sauce can result in a rich and savory flavor. Additionally, some dairy-free cheeses, like cream cheese alternatives, can be used in cooked applications, such as spinach artichoke dip, creating a rare dish that can almost compare to its dairy counterpart.
While dairy-free cheese may not always replicate the exact taste and texture of traditional cheese, there are some impressive options available that can satisfy those with dietary restrictions or ethical concerns.
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Affordability
Dairy-free cheese is often pricey and difficult to find. However, some stores, such as Trader Joe's, offer a varied selection of affordable vegan cheeses.
Dairy-free cheese brands vary in price and availability. For example, Daiya, a major brand in the dairy-free cheese scene, offers a range of shreds, slices, sticks, and cream cheese products, with its cheddar-style shreds priced at $4.99. In contrast, more premium brands like Babybel, which offers plant-based cheese, are known to be expensive.
Some dairy-free cheese brands, such as Violife, offer products that are not only affordable but also highly rated for their taste and texture. Violife's dairy-free Parmesan cheese is said to be very close to the original dairy version, and its dairy-free smoked gouda is recommended for sandwiches. Similarly, Follow Your Heart's dairy-free Parmesan cheese is praised for its salty tingle, texture, and slight stinky smell, resembling real dairy cheese.
Other affordable dairy-free cheese options include Field Roast's Chao cheese, which is known for its creaminess and perfect melt, and Trader Joe's selection of vegan cheeses, including their vegan Parmesan, cheddar, mozzarella, feta, cream cheese, and spread.
It's worth noting that the affordability of dairy-free cheese also depends on individual circumstances and regional pricing variations. Additionally, while some people opt for store-bought dairy-free cheese, others may choose to make their own at home using recipes that include ingredients like cashews and nutritional yeast.
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Nutritional value
Dairy-free cheese, or vegan cheese, is made from plant-based ingredients and comes in many styles and flavours. It is often made using coconut oil, water, salt, modified potato starch, nutritional yeast, and lactic acid. Nuts, notably cashews, are also commonly used in homemade or artisan dairy-free cheeses.
The nutritional value of vegan cheese varies depending on the brand and ingredients used. Generally, vegan cheese is lower in fat, protein, and calcium than regular cheese, and is likely to be gluten-free. It is also often higher in sodium. While some vegan cheeses contain saturated fat, this is often in similar amounts to dairy cheese. For example, one source states that two slices of Violife vegan cheese contain 8.4 g of saturated fat, compared to 7.7 g for two slices of cheddar cheese.
Vegan cheese is not a particularly nutrient-dense food, and it should not be considered a nutritional replacement for dairy cheese. Dairy cheese provides important nutrients such as calcium and vitamin B12, which are critical for vegans as they may be marginal in vegan diets. However, some plant-based brands fortify their products with these nutrients, and vegan versions may contain up to twice as much vitamin B12 as dairy.
It is important to note that a well-planned, healthy diet should include a variety of different vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean protein. Vegan cheese should be consumed as part of a balanced diet and not as a sole source of nutrition.
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Melting ability
Dairy-free cheese has a different melting behaviour compared to dairy cheese due to the absence of casein and dairy sugars. Casein is a milk protein that contributes significantly to the melting, stretching, and bubbling properties of dairy cheese. The complex molecular structure of casein is unique to animal milk, making its melting characteristics difficult to replicate in vegan cheese.
However, some dairy-free cheese options are better melters than others. For example, shredded dairy-free cheese, particularly in the form of mozzarella and cheddar, tends to melt wonderfully. Finely shredding dairy-free cheese can also enhance its melting properties, resulting in a texture closer to melted dairy cheese.
To achieve the perfect melt, various cooking techniques can be employed. For stovetop preparation, a splash of non-dairy milk or water can be added to a non-stick pan to prevent sticking, followed by continuous stirring over medium heat until a smooth consistency is achieved. Oven baking with foil and cautious microwaving are also effective methods for melting dairy-free cheese.
Additionally, dairy-free cheese sauces can be crafted using dairy-free yoghurt and spices like chilli powder, black pepper, cumin, and hot sauce to create unique flavours.
While dairy-free cheese has made significant advancements in melting ability, it is important to note that it may not brown like traditional cheese due to the absence of dairy sugars and proteins. However, innovative methods like precision fermentation and lab-grown casein proteins are being developed to further improve the melting capabilities of dairy-free cheese.
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Availability
Dairy-free cheese is widely available in grocery stores and online. Some popular brands include Violife, Daiya, Follow Your Heart, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods 365, So Delicious, Go Veggie, Miyoko's, Field Roast, and Babybel. These brands offer a variety of dairy-free cheese options, including mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan, gouda, cream cheese, feta, and slices or shreds for melting.
Violife, for example, offers a dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free, lactose-free, nut-free, and preservative-free option that is said to have a very creamy texture similar to traditional mozzarella. It can be found locally at stores like Winco and natural food stores, and their website also has a store locator. Daiya, another popular brand, offers a wide range of dairy-free cheese options, including shreds, slices, sticks, and cream cheese, as well as frozen food items like cheezecake and vegetable crust pizza. Their products can be found in the frozen section of grocery stores.
Trader Joe's is known for its affordable and varied selection of vegan cheeses, including Parmesan, cheddar, mozzarella, feta, cream cheese, and spreads. Whole Foods 365 brand also offers dairy-free mozzarella and cheddar cheeses that are Whole30 compatible.
Some specialty brands, like Rebel Cheese and The Mansion's Pantry on Etsy, also offer gourmet vegan cheese options for those looking for something unique.
In addition to pre-packaged dairy-free cheese options, there are also recipes for making your own vegan cheese at home using ingredients like cashews and nutritional yeast. However, replicating the texture, taste, and melting characteristics of cheese can be challenging without the specific food science knowledge and ingredients used by commercial brands.
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Frequently asked questions
Some popular dairy-free cheese options include Violife, Follow Your Heart, Miyoko's Creamery, Treeline, and Babybel Plant-Based.
Dairy-free cheeses are often made from nuts or seeds, such as cashews, coconut, or soy. Other ingredients like salt, nutritional yeast, herbs, and various vegetable oils are added to enhance flavor and mimic the texture of real cheese.
Some dairy-free cheeses melt well, such as Follow Your Heart's feta and slices, while others do not melt as well, like Whole Foods 365 brand and So Delicious. Aquafaba is an ingredient that helps dairy-free cheese melt like dairy cheese.
Dairy-free cheeses come in many varieties, including mozzarella, cheddar, smoked gouda, provolone, American, ricotta, brie, camembert, parmesan, and cream cheese.
Dairy-free cheese can be a "hit or miss." Some people find that certain dairy-free cheeses lack the texture of real cheese, while others claim that some varieties taste even better than dairy cheese. It ultimately depends on individual flavor preferences.
