Bushra Griffith
Daiya's vegan cheese is a popular alternative to dairy cheese, offering a similar taste and texture to traditional cheese. Daiya's products are plant-based and certified gluten-free by GFCO. Their cheese is designed to melt and stretch, making it a versatile option for pizzas, pastas, sauces, and casseroles. The cheese is made with a blend of ingredients, including water, gluten-free oat flour, pea protein, cultures, enzymes, and coconut oil. In 2023, Daiya announced a multi-million dollar investment in natural fermentation to further enhance its vegan cheese products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Water, Gluten-free oat flour, Pea protein, Cultures, Enzymes, Tapioca starch, Coconut oil, Corn starch, Expeller-pressed safflower oil, Calcium phosphate, Konjac flour, Fruit and vegetable juice (for color), Yeast extract, Annatto (for color), Salt, Dextrose, Xanthan gum, Lactic acid, Natural flavors, Chickpea protein, Tricalcium phosphate |
| Allergens | Gluten-free |
| Texture | Melts, Stretches, Creamy, Smooth |
| Taste | Mild, Less salty than dairy cheese |
| Use cases | Pizzas, Pastas, Salads, Wraps, Nachos, Grilled cheese, Casseroles, Sauces, Mac and cheese |
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What You'll Learn
Ingredients
Daiya's vegan cheese is made from plant-based ingredients and is certified by the Plant-Based Foods Association. The brand uses traditional cheesemaking methods with ingredients like oats, chickpeas, and coconut cream to create a product that melts and stretches like regular cheese.
Daiya's dairy-free cheese shreds, for example, are made with a blend of water, gluten-free oat flour, pea protein, cultures, and enzymes, along with tapioca starch, coconut oil, corn starch, and safflower oil. It also contains small amounts of konjac flour, fruit and vegetable juice for color, yeast extract, annatto for color, salt, dextrose, xanthan gum, lactic acid, and natural flavors.
The mozzarella-style shreds have a similar ingredient list, including filtered water, tapioca flour, coconut oil, canola and/or safflower oil, chickpea protein, salt, tricalcium phosphate, lactic acid, konjac flour, xanthan gum, and yeast.
Daiya's dairy-free cheddar slices are also made with their Oat Cream™ blend, which includes water, oat flour, pea protein, cultures, and enzymes. Coconut oil, modified potato starch, corn starch, and konjac flour are also included, along with fruit and vegetable juice for color, yeast extract, annatto for color, salt, tricalcium phosphate, xanthan gum, lactic acid, and natural flavors.
Daiya's products are not certified organic, but the brand uses sea salt in all its products, and its oats are certified gluten-free by GFCO.
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Taste and texture
Daiya's vegan cheese has been designed to replicate the taste and texture of dairy cheese as closely as possible. The product is described as having a "velvety melt and smooth texture" and a rich, comforting flavour. The cheese is said to melt and stretch, behaving similarly to dairy cheese.
The Daiya cheese slices are described as having a smooth texture and a full flavour. They can be eaten straight out of the package or melted, functioning in the same way as dairy cheese.
Daiya's dairy-free cheese shreds are described as "stretchy, melty, and oh-so-gooey", with a real cheese flavour and texture. The shreds are said to be "mild, milky, and oh-so-fresh", with a perfect melt every time. Customers have praised the taste and texture of the shreds, stating that they melt and stretch well, making them a great alternative to dairy cheese.
The new fermentation-powered formulations are said to have improved the meltability of the cheese, with a slightly more dairy-forward flavour. The new formulas also improved the browning abilities of the cheese, as demonstrated with pizzas.
Overall, Daiya's vegan cheese products have been designed to replicate the taste and texture of dairy cheese, with a focus on creating a melty, stretchy, and smooth product that can be used in a variety of dishes.
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Melting properties
Daiya's vegan cheese is designed to melt, stretch, and provide a rich taste, similar to dairy-based cheese. The cheese is formulated to melt and stay melty, mimicking the texture of dairy cheese.
Daiya's dairy-free cheese shreds are made with a blend of plant-based ingredients, including tapioca starch, coconut oil, and pea protein, which contribute to their melting properties. The shreds are designed to melt and stretch, making them ideal for use on pizzas, in casseroles, and sauces. The melting properties of the shreds allow them to blend seamlessly into various dishes, enhancing the flavour and texture.
The Daiya Oat Cream™ blend, a combination of water, gluten-free oat flour, pea protein, cultures, and enzymes, is a key component in the melting characteristics of their dairy-free cheese. The blend provides a creamy, velvety texture to the cheese, allowing it to melt smoothly and evenly. This blend replaces dairy while replicating the desired taste and texture of traditional cheese.
Daiya's cheese slices, made with the Daiya Oat Cream™ blend, coconut oil, and modified potato starch, also showcase exceptional melting abilities. These slices can be used in a variety of dishes, from sandwiches to cheeseburgers, providing a creamy, melty texture similar to that of dairy cheese. The slices are versatile and can be enjoyed hot or cold, offering convenience and flavour to various recipes.
In addition to the shreds and slices, Daiya has also developed blocks of vegan cheese, which are designed to melt and provide a similar experience to dairy cheese. The blocks can be grated or sliced and used in recipes that call for melted cheese, such as grilled cheese sandwiches or quesadillas. The melting properties of Daiya's blocks, combined with their flavour and texture, make them a versatile and convincing alternative to traditional cheese.
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$39.24
Comparison to dairy cheese
Daiya's vegan cheese is made from plant-based ingredients such as oats, chickpeas, and coconut cream, as well as microbes, cultures, and enzymes. Traditional cheesemaking methods are combined with these ingredients to create a product that mimics the taste and texture of dairy cheese.
Daiya's vegan cheese is designed to replicate the taste, texture, and melting capabilities of dairy cheese. The product is marketed as having a "velvety melt and smooth texture, full of flavor—all without the dairy." The cheese is described as stretchy, melty, and gooey, providing a real cheese flavor and texture while being 100% plant-based.
Customers have praised Daiya's vegan cheese for its melting and stretching abilities, making it a suitable alternative to dairy cheese in recipes like quesadillas, nachos, and grilled cheese. Some have even claimed that it melts better than dairy cheese. The texture is described as similar to real cheese, with a creamy flavor that looks and feels like the traditional dairy product.
Daiya's vegan cheese also offers a range of flavors, including mozzarella, cheddar, Parmesan, Italian 4 Cheeze, Mexican 4 Cheeze, Spicy Monterey Jack, and Cheddar & Mozza Blend. This variety allows consumers to choose the cheese that best suits their dish, just as they would with dairy cheese.
However, some customers have noted that the price of Daiya's vegan cheese is higher than that of dairy cheese. Despite this, many feel that the taste and texture are worth the cost.
In conclusion, Daiya's vegan cheese provides a comparable, if not superior, alternative to dairy cheese in terms of taste, texture, and melting abilities. The product's ability to mimic the characteristics of dairy cheese has revolutionized the vegan cheese category, offering a satisfying and delicious option for those seeking plant-based alternatives.
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Fermentation process
In 2023, Daiya invested millions of dollars into a new fermentation facility to transform its vegan cheeses. The new formulations are centred on pea protein and oats but also involve microbes, cultures, and enzymes along with a proprietary fermentation process that gives the vegan cheese the sought-after qualities of dairy.
Daiya's new formulations improve upon factors that are of utmost importance to the company's foodservice partners. One challenge the new formulas solve is the telltale floppy piece of unmelted vegan cheese on a burger. When vegan cheese is brought to a similar melting point as dairy cheese, quick-service food operators can deliver the same eating experience as conventional cheeseburgers with no modification to protocols.
Daiya's new fermentation-powered formulations are made by combining traditional cheesemaking methods with the goodness of oat. The formulations involve microbes, cultures, and enzymes along with a proprietary fermentation process. The company's new facility is positioned within Daiya’s 400,000-square-foot British Columbia production site.
The new formulations have been demonstrated to be visibly much meltier and with a slightly more dairy-forward flavour. The pizza format also showcased the new formulation’s browning abilities.
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Frequently asked questions
Daiya's vegan cheese products are made from a variety of plant-based ingredients, including water, gluten-free oat flour, pea protein, tapioca starch, coconut oil, and natural flavors.
Daiya's vegan cheese is made from plant-based ingredients, while dairy cheese is made from animal milk. Daiya's products are designed to melt and stretch like dairy cheese, providing a similar taste and texture.
Daiya's vegan cheese is a great alternative for those who are lactose intolerant or vegan. It is made from plant-based ingredients and does not contain any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
