Bushra Griffith
The UK has a wide variety of vegan cheese brands available in supermarkets and independent retailers. Popular options include Applewood's, Boursin's, and Cathedral City's plant-based ranges, as well as Violife, which can be found in most major supermarkets. For those looking for artisanal vegan cheeses, La Fauxmagerie, I Am Nut OK, and Julienne Bruno are all highly regarded. With so many options available, vegans in the UK can enjoy a luxurious cheeseboard without missing out on taste or texture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Brands Available | Dozens |
| Types of Cheese | Cream, Blue, Cheddar, Mozzarella, Goat, Parmesan, Smoked, Mini, Ricotta, Feta, Brie, Chèvre, Camembert, Babybel, Mini, Spread, Garlic & Herbs, Parmesan, Mozzarella, Butter, Mini, Cheddar, Smoked, Cream Cheese, Sandwich Slices, Pizza Cheese, Cheese Wheel, Creamy Original |
| Types of Products | Shreds, Slices, Blocks, Spread, Mini Cheese Wheel, Starter Kits, Kits, Jars, Tubs, Bundles |
| Common Ingredients | Coconut Oil, Nuts (Almonds, Cashews, Macadamias), Live Cultures, Vegan Lactic Acid, Starches, Nut Milk, Water, Natural Flavorings, Spices, Oils, Seeds |
| Price | £3.00-£12.00 |
| Availability | Major Supermarkets, Independent Retailers, Online |
| Best Brands | La Fauxmagerie, Honestly Tasty, Violife, Applewood, Cathedral City, Boursin, I Am Nut OK, Julienne Bruno, Haverstock, Shamembert, Miyoko's, Daiya, Chao's Creamy Original, Aldi's Plant Menu |
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What You'll Learn
Best vegan cheese for a cheeseboard
There are now a plethora of vegan cheese options available in the UK, from supermarket own-brand offerings to artisanal creations. So, if you're looking to create the perfect vegan cheeseboard, you're spoilt for choice.
A good place to start is with a creamy ricotta-style cheese. Good Housekeeping recommends a supermarket own-brand option that impressed its panel with its smooth, crumbly texture and delicious savoury quality.
Next, add some variety with a few different flavours and textures. For a soft, crumbly cheese, Boursin's vegan Garlic & Herbs cheese spread is a great option. It's packaged like the dairy version and, at £3, it's an affordable choice. If you're after something a little more indulgent, try Julienne Bruno's range, which offers the authentic taste of Italian cuisine.
If you're a fan of blue cheese, Honestly Tasty's Shamembert and Bree are great options to include on your cheeseboard. This smooth but firm blue block is crafted with real Penicillium roqueforti and matured over several weeks to give it an authentic bite.
For a cheddar-style cheese, Cathedral City's plant-based range is a good option. It has a fruity smell and a soft, crumbly texture, though some find the coconut flavour a little prominent. You could also try Applewood's range of smoky cheeses, which melt wonderfully and are a supermarket staple.
Finally, add some goat's cheese to your cheeseboard with I Am Nut OK's G.O.A.T. or Palace Culture's spicy option.
With so many options available, you can create the perfect vegan cheeseboard to enjoy with your favourite tipple.
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Best supermarket vegan cheese
The UK's supermarkets have seriously upped their game when it comes to vegan cheese, with innovative substitutes now available from all the major grocers.
If you're looking for a cheddar-style vegan cheese, there are several options available. One option is Cathedral City's plant-based range, which offers the brand's signature mature cheddar flavour. The cheese has a soft, crumbly texture and is described as creamy and melt-in-the-mouth, although some say the coconut flavour is quite prominent when eaten cold. Another option for a cheddar-style vegan cheese is Applewood's vegan range, which is known for its smoky flavour and is available in most major supermarkets. Morrisons also do their own brand of smoked vegan cheese, which one Reddit user describes as "cracking".
For those who prefer a softer cheese, Boursin's vegan Garlic & Herbs cheese spread is a good option. It is packaged like the dairy version with a distinctive green label and is priced at just £3.00, making it an affordable option. The addition of potato gives it a creamy, spreadable consistency.
If you're looking for something a little more indulgent, Julienne Bruno's range is a game-changer, offering the authentic taste of Italian cuisine. Their Superstraccia cheese is so good that one Reddit user claims they eat it straight out of the tub!
Finally, for those who crave the distinctive taste of blue cheese, Honestly Tasty's Shamembert is a good option. Their blue cheese is smooth but firm and is crafted with real Penicillium roqueforti, giving it an authentic bite.
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Best vegan cheddar
Vegan cheese has come a long way since its rubbery, bland beginnings. Now, there are a variety of vegan cheeses available in the UK, including vegan cheddar.
I Am Nut OK
I Am Nut OK is an artisanal cultured vegan cheese brand that offers a vegan cheddar as part of its best-selling bundle. The bundle includes five other popular items, such as vegan parmesan and vegan mozzarella. I Am Nut OK's vegan cheddar has been described as having a perfect melt and is ideal for plant-based burgers or lasagna.
Cathedral City
Cathedral City, a major cheese manufacturer, launched its first vegan cheese alternative in 2022. The cheese has a fruity smell and a soft, crumbly texture. It's also creamy and melts in the mouth due to the coconut oil in its ingredients. However, some may find the coconut flavour to be quite prominent when eaten cold.
Applewood
Applewood's vegan cheese range is known for its smoky flavour and is available in most major supermarkets in the UK. It melts well, making it a great option for toasties, pizzas, and pasta dishes. Applewood also offers Smoked Minis, a plant-based version of their popular cheese.
Boursin
Boursin offers a vegan garlic and herb cheese spread that is packaged like its dairy version. The addition of potato gives it a creamy, spreadable consistency, making it perfect for crackers or bread. It is also affordably priced at only £3.00.
La Fauxmagerie
La Fauxmagerie is a vegan cheese brand that delivers and offers a variety of vegan cheeses, including blue cheese. Their prices start at £6.50, but additional shipping costs may apply depending on your location.
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Best vegan blue cheese
There are many options for vegan blue cheese, with some of the best brands listed below.
Firstly, Bandit Barn Cat Vegan Bleu Cheese is dairy-free, high in protein, and fantastically flavoursome. It pairs well with bread, nuts, crackers, and anything with an earthy undertone, such as mushrooms and beets.
Next, Follow Your Heart's Vegan Blue Cheese Crumbles are tangy and creamy, perfect for salads and burgers. They are gluten-free and soy-free, with a unique blend of coconut oil, potato starch, potato protein, and spirulina.
Katonas Kreamery's Coco Blue is another plant-based option, with a cashew and coconut base, a traditionally umami flavour, and a beautiful blue-veined appearance.
Reine's Vegan Cuisine Spirulina Cheese is a faux-gonzola, cultured, aged, and marbled with superfood spirulina. It has a rich cashew and coconut milk base with a tart spirulina taste. It goes well with fresh or dried pears and has elegant packaging.
Rind NYC's self-proclaimed "funky & bold" vegan bleu cheese is 100% gluten-free, with a cashew nut, tofu, and coconut oil base. It is sold in a mini wheel format.
Mouse's Favourite's True Blue is carefully crafted using traditional techniques and the finest ingredients. It has a cashew, water, salt, and culture base with a dash of coconut oil for added richness. It is suitable for those who prefer a mild flavour and can be frozen for later.
Finally, Honestly Tasty's Vegan Blue Cheese is mould-ripened, smooth, and creamy, with a distinctive "blue cheese" bite. It contains coconut oil, starch, modified potato starch, vegetable protein, carrageenan, natural flavouring, salt, nutritional yeast, and cultures. It is not suitable for those with nut, mustard, or soy allergies.
Other notable mentions include Nutty Artisan Foods' Simple Blue Vegan Cheese and Fauxmargerie and I'm Nut Okay's cashew cheeses.
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Best vegan cheese for melting
Vegan cheese has come a long way since its rubbery, bland beginnings. Nowadays, there are plenty of options that melt just like dairy cheese. The key to achieving the perfect melt is nailing the balance between starch and oil content. Coconut oil, in particular, is a popular ingredient in meltable vegan cheese.
Violife
One of the most popular vegan cheese brands, Violife is available in most major UK supermarkets. The brand offers a wide range of products, including shreds, slices, blocks, and more. Violife's Colby Jack Shreds are perfect for homemade nachos, and their cheese is also great for comfort foods like quesadillas and queso.
I Am Nut OK
Featured on Channel 4's *Aldi's Next Big Thing,* I Am Nut OK's artisanal cultured vegan cheeses are a true delight. The brand offers a variety of indulgent flavours, including black truffle, smoky charcoal, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, as well as familiar favourites like mature cheddar and Italian herb. Their vegan cheddar is the perfect melt to enhance the flavour of your plant-based burger or lasagne.
Applewood
Applewood's vegan cheeses are a supermarket staple, known for their unmistakable smoky taste. They melt wonderfully, making them perfect for toasties, pizzas, and pasta dishes. Applewood's range includes smoked cheeses, cheddar, and goat cheese.
Boursin
Boursin's vegan Garlic & Herbs cheese spread is a plant-based version of the brand's iconic product. Packed with roasted garlic, parsley, and chives, it has a creamy, spreadable texture and is perfect for crackers, bread, or adding to recipes.
Cathedral City
Cathedral City's plant-based range offers the brand's signature mature cheddar flavour. The cheese has a soft, crumbly texture and is surprisingly creamy, thanks to the coconut oil in the ingredients. It's an excellent option for those seeking a vegan cheddar that melts in the mouth.
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Frequently asked questions
The best brand of vegan cheese in the UK depends on your personal preference and the type of cheese you are looking for. Some popular brands include:
- La Fauxmagerie
- Honestly Tasty
- Violife
- I AM NUT OK
- Boursin
Cathedral City's Plant-Based Cheese is a good option for vegan cheddar. It has a fruity smell and a soft, crumbly texture.
Boursin’s vegan Garlic & Herbs cheese spread is a good affordable option, priced at £3.00.
Kite Hill's almond milk-based cream cheese is perfect for grazing boards. La Fauxmagerie, Honestly Tasty, and I AM NUT OK also offer a variety of popular vegan cheeses that would be suitable for a cheeseboard.
Applewood's vegan cheese melts wonderfully, making it a great option for toasties, pizzas, and pasta dishes.
