Kamil Perry
Taco Bell has recently introduced a vegan nacho cheese sauce, made from soy and chickpeas, to accompany its nacho fries. This is the first time the company has offered a dairy-free cheese option, and it has been certified by the American Vegetarian Association. The sauce was initially tested in Taco Bell's vegan crunchwrap in June 2023 and received positive feedback, prompting the company to offer it on a national scale. While some customers have praised the texture and taste of the vegan cheese, others have noted that it lacks the well-rounded flavor of the classic nacho cheese and has a slight bitterness. The addition of this vegan option demonstrates Taco Bell's commitment to catering to a variety of dietary preferences and lifestyles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Soy and chickpeas |
| Other ingredients | Nutritional yeast, salt, lactic acid, citric acid, pickled jalapenos, vegan butter, olive oil |
| Texture | Glossy and thick |
| Appearance | Translucent and slightly darker |
| Taste | Bitter |
| Certification | Certified vegan by the American Vegetarian Association |
| Availability | Available for a limited time |
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What You'll Learn
Taco Bell's vegan cheese ingredients
Taco Bell's vegan cheese sauce, also known as Vegan Nacho Sauce, is made from soy and chickpeas, which are common bases for vegan cheeses. The sauce was first introduced as part of the chain's Vegan Crunchwrap in June 2023 and later paired with its Nacho Fries, marking the company's first vegan nationwide menu item.
The development of the Vegan Nacho Sauce is in line with Taco Bell's commitment to providing food for a variety of lifestyles and dietary preferences. The sauce is certified vegan by the American Vegetarian Association, ensuring that it contains no animal ingredients.
The texture of the sauce is described as glossy and thick, clinging well to the Nacho Fries. However, some reviews note that the vegan cheese has a slightly translucent appearance and a slightly darker colour compared to the original cheese sauce.
Creating vegan "dairy" that accurately replicates the taste and texture of traditional dairy cheese is challenging due to the absence of casein, a specific protein found in dairy. This challenge is amplified when producing plant-based alternatives on a mass scale for fast food.
Despite some mixed reviews, the introduction of Taco Bell's vegan cheese sauce is a positive step towards providing more options for consumers with varying dietary preferences and restrictions.
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The cheese's texture and appearance
Taco Bell's vegan cheese has a glossy and thick texture, and it clings well to the Nacho Fries. It does not have the grainy texture that some vegan cheese substitutes have. The cheese is made from soy and chickpeas, both of which are common bases for vegan cheeses. The use of soy as the main base for the cheese accommodates customers with nut allergies.
The vegan cheese has a slightly translucent appearance and a slightly darker colour than the classic nacho cheese. It is also said to have a buttery taste, resembling cheddar or American cheese.
Some people have compared vegan cheese to actual cheese, while others just want a cheese alternative that does not taste like lettuce. Taco Bell's vegan cheese is said to be on par with other vegan cheese sauces, and it is also sold at half the price of their normal nacho cheese.
While the texture and appearance of Taco Bell's vegan cheese are positive aspects, some people have noted that the cheese has a bitter taste. This may be due to the difficulty of replicating the specific protein, casein, found in dairy, in a plant-based form.
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Taste and comparison to non-vegan cheese
Taco Bell's vegan nacho cheese sauce, made from soy and chickpeas, has received mixed reviews for its taste and texture. Some people have compared it to actual cheese, while others have praised it for being a good option for those who don't eat dairy. One review mentions that the vegan cheese has a glossy and thick texture, which is spot-on for nacho cheese. It also has a slight bitterness that is absent in the classic nacho cheese.
The vegan nacho cheese sauce is said to have a translucent appearance and a slightly darker colour than the original cheese sauce. It is also described as having a gluey texture, which is common in vegan cheese sauces, as they require a lot of stabilizers to stay together.
Some people have expressed that the vegan cheese sauce is not a convincing dupe of the original nacho cheese sauce, and that further research and development are needed to improve the taste and make it more appealing to consumers.
Despite the mixed reviews, the introduction of the vegan nacho cheese sauce at Taco Bell has been well-received by those with various dietary preferences, including vegans, vegetarians, and those with nut allergies, as soy and chickpeas are used as a base instead of cashews. The sauce is certified by the American Vegetarian Association, ensuring that it meets vegan standards.
While taste is a matter of personal preference, the vegan nacho cheese sauce at Taco Bell seems to cater to those seeking dairy-free options, offering a reasonable approximation of the original nacho cheese sauce.
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Taco Bell's vegan cheese price
Taco Bell's vegan cheese sauce, which is made from soy and chickpeas, was first introduced in June 2023 with the launch of the Vegan Crunchwrap. The sauce is now available as a side with the Nacho Fries, which were reintroduced to the menu in September 2023.
The price of the small-sized fries with the vegan cheese sauce on the side is $3.80. This is half the price of their normal nacho cheese.
Taco Bell's vegan nacho cheese sauce has received mixed reviews. Some people have praised the sauce for its spot-on texture, describing it as glossy and thick. On the other hand, some have criticized its bitter taste and translucent appearance.
The American Vegetarian Association has officially certified the sauce, but some vegans have expressed concerns about cross-contact in Taco Bell's shared kitchens.
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The cheese's certification and cross-contact
Taco Bell's vegan nacho cheese sauce has been certified by the American Vegetarian Association. This means that the product has been officially recognised as vegan by a trusted third party. The certification process involves an independent review of the product's ingredients, supply chain, and manufacturing processes to ensure that they meet the vegan standards set by the association.
However, despite this certification, Taco Bell has acknowledged the possibility of cross-contact with non-vegan ingredients. Cross-contact occurs when food comes into contact with another food's allergens or non-compliant ingredients. In the context of veganism, cross-contact can occur when vegan foods come into contact with animal-based products, such as meat, dairy, or eggs.
Taco Bell has disclosed that due to its shared kitchen spaces, it cannot guarantee a complete absence of cross-contact. This is a common challenge in the food industry, especially in high-volume kitchens or those with limited space. Even with rigorous cleaning and separation procedures, traces of non-vegan ingredients may still be present in the shared equipment, utensils, or preparation areas.
The potential for cross-contact is important information for individuals with strict dietary requirements or allergies. For vegans who are concerned about cross-contact, Taco Bell may not be the first choice. However, for those who follow a vegan lifestyle by choice, the risk of trace amounts of non-vegan ingredients may be acceptable, especially considering the overall benefit of having more vegan options available.
While Taco Bell's vegan cheese sauce may not be suitable for all vegans due to the possibility of cross-contact, the company's efforts to cater to various dietary preferences and lifestyles are commendable. The introduction of vegan options at a large chain like Taco Bell increases accessibility and provides more choices for consumers.
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Frequently asked questions
Taco Bell's vegan cheese is made from soy and chickpeas, which are common bases for vegan cheeses.
You can add vegan cheese to the Nacho Fries and the Crunchwrap.
Yes, the vegan cheese is certified by the American Vegetarian Association.
The vegan cheese has a buttery taste and is similar to cheddar or American cheese. However, some people find that it has a bitter aftertaste.
