Bushra Griffith
Daiya Foods is a company that produces plant-based, dairy-free cheese and cheese-forward foods. Their products include cheese shreds, slices, blocks, sticks, crumbles, cream cheese spreads, mac & cheese, cheese sauce, dressings, pizza, and frozen cheesecake. Daiya's cheese is made from a blend of water, gluten-free oat flour, pea protein, cultures, enzymes, starch, coconut oil, and other plant-based ingredients. The company has won multiple awards for its vegan cheese, including the VegNews Veggie Award at the Natural Products ExpoWest Show in 2009, 2011, and 2012, and the PETA Libby Award for Best Vegan Cheese in 2009.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Dairy-free, plant-based cheese |
| Ingredients | Water, gluten-free oat flour, pea protein, cultures, enzymes, tapioca starch, coconut oil, corn starch, safflower oil, calcium phosphate, konjac flour, yeast extract, fruit and vegetable juice, annatto, salt, dextrose, xanthan gum, lactic acid, natural flavors |
| Texture | Smooth, meltable |
| Flavors | Cheddar, Mozza, feta, halloumi, asiago |
| Awards | VegNews Veggie Award (2009, 2011, 2012), Proggy Award for Company of the Year from PETA (2010), VegNews Best Vegan Cheese Award (2010), PETA Libby Award for Best Vegan Cheese (2009), BCIC Commercialization of Agricultural Technology Competition (2009) |
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What You'll Learn
- Daiya's cheese is made from a blend of water, gluten-free oat flour, pea protein, and other ingredients
- The company has also released products made from chickpeas and coconut cream
- Daiya's cheese is dairy-free and does not contain gluten or dairy derivatives
- The company is investing in a new fermentation facility to transform its vegan cheese products
- Daiya's products are not certified organic
Daiya's cheese is made from a blend of water, gluten-free oat flour, pea protein, and other ingredients
Daiya Foods is a company that creates plant-based, dairy-free cheese and cheese-forward foods. Their products are designed to be similar to dairy cheese in terms of taste, texture, and melt. Daiya's cheese is made from a blend of water, gluten-free oat flour, pea protein, and other ingredients.
The full list of ingredients in Daiya's cheese varies depending on the product. For example, their Dairy-Free Cheddar & Mozza Shreds include tapioca starch, coconut oil, corn starch, safflower oil, calcium phosphate, konjac flour, yeast extract, and salt, among other ingredients. Their Dairy-Free Cheddar Slices include modified potato starch, corn starch, tricalcium phosphate, and salt, in addition to the base ingredients.
Daiya's oat cream blend, which forms the base of their cheese products, is made from water, gluten-free oat flour, and pea protein. This blend is designed to mimic the creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture and flavor of dairy cheese. The gluten-free certification of the oats used in Daiya's products is provided by GFCO.
In addition to their classic cheese products, Daiya has expanded its offerings to include other cheese-forward foods, such as pizza, mac & cheese, and frozen cheesecake. They have also introduced new cheese styles, such as feta, halloumi, and asiago, and new formats like slices and blocks. Daiya has also invested in research and development to improve the melt and stretch of their cheese, bringing it closer to the experience of dairy cheese.
Daiya's commitment to creating delicious, plant-based alternatives to dairy cheese has earned them recognition and awards from organizations like VegNews, PETA, and the BC Innovation Council. Their products cater to those who are dairy-free, vegan, or simply curious about plant-based options.
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The company has also released products made from chickpeas and coconut cream
Daiya Foods is a company that specializes in plant-based foods, particularly vegan cheese alternatives. The company was founded in 2008 out of a love for food and a commitment to healthy living. Daiya's products are dairy, gluten, and soy-free, and they offer a wide range of cheese alternatives, including blocks, shreds, slices, sticks, and sauces.
In 2021, Daiya improved its vegan cheese blocks by adding oats and chickpeas to enhance the creaminess and taste of its products. The newly repackaged vegan cheese blocks come in a variety of flavors, including Medium Cheddar, Jalapeño Havarti, Monterey Jack, and Smoked Gouda, as well as an all-new Classic Mozza flavor. The inclusion of oats and chickpeas maintains the allergen-friendly status of the cheese blocks, ensuring they remain free from soy, gluten, and nuts.
In addition to their cheese alternatives, Daiya has also expanded their product line to include other vegan options. This includes prepared frozen foods such as pizzas and burritos, creamy dressings, and desserts like cheesecakes, ice cream pints, and novelty bars. Daiya's commitment to innovation and creating crave-worthy, plant-based versions of favorite foods has driven their product development.
Furthermore, Daiya has also launched a line of coconut cream yogurt cups, providing a dairy-free, gluten-free, and soy-free option for consumers. These yogurt alternatives are blended with coconut cream and real fruit pieces, offering a delicious and healthy snack choice. The coconut cream yogurt cups are an excellent source of calcium, vitamin B12, and vitamin D, making them a nutritious and satisfying option for those looking for dairy-free alternatives.
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Daiya's cheese is dairy-free and does not contain gluten or dairy derivatives
Daiya Foods is a company that specializes in creating plant-based, dairy-free products, including cheese. Their products are designed to cater to those who are allergic or sensitive to certain food items, such as gluten, dairy, soy, eggs, and nuts. Daiya's cheese is completely dairy-free and does not contain any dairy derivatives, making it suitable for those with lactose intolerance or vegan dietary preferences.
The company's cheese products are made from a blend of plant-based ingredients, primarily utilizing oats, which are certified gluten-free by GFCO. This Daiya Oat Cream™ blend includes water, gluten-free oat flour, pea protein, cultures, and enzymes. The addition of cultures and enzymes in the cheese-making process likely contributes to the development of flavor and texture, resulting in a product that mimics the characteristics of traditional dairy cheese.
Daiya's cheese also contains other ingredients such as coconut oil, potato or tapioca starch, corn starch, and natural flavors. The inclusion of these ingredients helps enhance the cheese's texture, meltability, and flavor. The cheese is designed to be versatile, suitable for melting on pizzas, in casseroles, sauces, and sandwiches, as well as for direct consumption when paired with crunchy crackers.
The company has continuously invested in research and development to improve its products, focusing on taste, texture, and meltability. Daiya's commitment to innovation is evident in its recent multi-million-dollar investment in a fermentation facility, aiming to revolutionize its vegan cheese offerings and create formulations that closely resemble the characteristics of dairy cheese. This commitment to creating dairy-free and gluten-free cheese options ensures that consumers with dietary restrictions or preferences can still enjoy the taste and experience of cheese without compromising their health or values.
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The company is investing in a new fermentation facility to transform its vegan cheese products
Daiya Foods is a company that has been creating plant-based, dairy-free products since 2008. Their product line includes cheese, pizza, mac & cheese, and frozen cheesecake. Daiya's cheese products are made from a blend of water, gluten-free oat flour, pea protein, cultures, enzymes, starch, coconut oil, and other plant-based ingredients. The company ensures that its products are dairy-free and gluten-free, catering to those with dietary restrictions or preferences.
In recent years, Daiya has revolutionized the vegan cheese category by introducing new formulations made with oats, chickpeas, and coconut cream, as well as new formats such as slices and blocks. They have also expanded their cheese styles to include feta, halloumi, and asiago. To further enhance its vegan cheese offerings, Daiya is investing in a new fermentation facility within its British Columbia production site. This multi-million-dollar investment in natural fermentation technology aims to transform its vegan cheese products, making them even more comparable to dairy cheese in terms of taste, texture, melt, and stretch.
The new fermentation facility will combine modern technologies with traditional cheesemaking techniques to develop next-generation vegan cheese formulations. Daiya's CEO, Michael Watt, has expressed enthusiasm for the company's advancements in vegan cheese development, acknowledging the importance of taste and texture in surpassing dairy cheese. The company has also invested in an extensive R&D team and strategic partnerships to ensure the success of its new phase.
One of the key challenges that Daiya's new fermentation-powered formulations aim to address is the issue of vegan cheese not melting properly on cheeseburgers. By achieving a similar melting point to dairy cheese, quick-service food operators can deliver an eating experience comparable to conventional cheeseburgers without modifying their protocols. Daiya's new formulations have made significant improvements in this area, with a cheese pull of 180 millimeters, approaching the 200 to 250 millimeters of dairy cheese.
Daiya's investment in a new fermentation facility for its vegan cheese products demonstrates its commitment to innovation and meeting consumer demands for plant-based alternatives. With this transformation, Daiya aims to make its vegan cheese products even more appealing to consumers, including those who are plant-curious or cheese aficionados seeking delicious, dairy-free options.
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Daiya's products are not certified organic
Daiya Foods is a company that produces plant-based, dairy-free products, including cheese, mac & cheese, pizza, and frozen cheesecake. The company was founded in 2008 and has since become a pioneer in the plant-based food space, winning multiple awards for its vegan cheese, including the VegNews Veggie Award at the Natural Products ExpoWest Show in 2009, 2011, and 2012, and the PETA Libby Award for Best Vegan Cheese in 2009.
Daiya's products are made from a variety of plant-based ingredients, including oats, chickpeas, coconut cream, and pea protein. The company has also developed a Daiya Oat Cream™ blend, which is made from water, gluten-free oat flour, pea protein, cultures, and enzymes, and is used in many of their cheese products.
Despite Daiya's focus on plant-based and dairy-free products, their products are not certified organic. This means that the ingredients used in their products have not been grown or produced without the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, or other excluded methods as verified by a certifying agent. While Daiya prioritizes creating delicious and accessible plant-based options, they do not make specific claims or guarantees about the farming practices used to source their ingredients.
The lack of organic certification does not necessarily indicate that Daiya's products are unhealthy or unsustainable. They may still prioritize the use of natural ingredients and implement certain sustainable practices in their production processes. However, the absence of organic certification suggests that Daiya's farming and sourcing practices may not align with the stringent standards and requirements set by certifying organizations.
It is important to note that organic certification is a voluntary process that comes with additional costs and requirements for producers. Some companies may choose not to pursue certification for various reasons, such as financial constraints, operational complexities, or a decision to focus on other aspects of their products, such as taste, accessibility, or other sustainability initiatives.
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Frequently asked questions
Daiya cheese is made from a blend of water, gluten-free oat flour, pea protein, cultures, enzymes, tapioca starch, coconut oil, corn starch, safflower oil, calcium phosphate, konjac flour, yeast extract, fruit and vegetable juice, annatto, salt, dextrose, xanthan gum, lactic acid, and natural flavors.
Yes, Daiya cheese is dairy-free and does not contain any dairy derivatives. Their products are also gluten-free and plant-based.
Daiya cheese is designed to melt and stretch like dairy cheese. It has a smooth texture and a rich, full flavor.
Only the shreds variety of Daiya cheese can be frozen. All other refrigerated Daiya cheese products should not be frozen and should be kept refrigerated at all times.
Daiya offers a range of dairy-free cheese products, including cheddar and mozza shreds, cheddar slices, mac & cheese, cheese sauce, pizza, and frozen cheesecake.
