Randy Chandler
Vegan cheese is a non-dairy, plant-based alternative to traditional cheese. It is usually made from soy, nuts, vegetable oils, and various other natural ingredients like peas, arrowroot, and coconut oil. The process of making vegan cheese shares some steps with traditional cheesemaking, but without using animal milk. Plant proteins are separated using bacteria, and then ingredients such as oils and thickeners are added to create a cheese-like consistency. The biggest difference between vegan cheese and dairy cheese is that vegan cheese does not melt in the same way. While the market for vegan cheese has grown globally since 2018, the labelling of vegan cheese remains controversial, with dairy industry groups pushing to prohibit the use of terms like cheese on non-dairy products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Plant-based proteins or vegetable proteins derived from sources like soybeans, almond, and their milk, peas, arrowroot, sesame, sunflower, cashew, pine nut, peanuts, and coconut |
| Texture | Some vegan cheeses have a waxy, chalky, or plastic-like texture. However, advancements have allowed vegan cheese to melt, ooze, and bubble like regular cheese. |
| Taste | Vegan cheese tends to have less complex and unique flavors than regular cheese. |
| Nutritional content | Vegan cheese is typically lower in fat, protein, and calcium than regular cheese and is likely gluten-free. It may be higher in sodium. |
| Price | As of 2017, vegan cheese is generally more expensive than dairy cheese. |
| Labelling | The labelling of vegan cheese is controversial, with dairy industry groups pushing to prohibit the use of terms like "cheese" on non-dairy products. Labelling purely plant-based products as "cheese" is prohibited in the European Union and the United Kingdom. |
| Availability | The number and types of widely available vegan cheeses have diversified over time. |
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What You'll Learn
How it's made
Vegan cheese is made using a variety of nuts, seeds, soy, tapioca, oils, and other ingredients. The process shares some similarities with traditional cheesemaking but without the use of animal milk.
Firstly, a starter culture is made, similar to the starter for pickles or sauerkraut. This can be done by using grains, such as wheat, barley, or rice, and allowing them to sprout after soaking and rinsing.
For the cheese base, raw cashews are commonly used, as they create a smooth and creamy texture. These nuts are soaked in water and then blended to form a paste. Other nuts, such as macadamias, can also be used. To achieve a cheddar-style cheese, sweet potatoes can be added for colour and a hint of sweetness. Yukon gold potatoes can also be used to create a creamy texture.
Additional ingredients are then added to achieve the desired flavour and consistency. Nutritional yeast gives the cheese a nutty, savoury flavour, while ingredients like olive brine, garlic, onion powder, vinegar, salt, and herbs add depth of flavour and tanginess. Coconut oil, solid at room temperature, is often added to give the cheese a firmer texture. Vegetable fats, such as palm oil, are also used to replicate the melting properties of traditional cheese.
The mixture is then blended until smooth and creamy, and additional liquid is added as needed. The cheese is then left to ferment, and other ingredients can be added to achieve different flavours, such as truffle or chilli. Artisan cheesemakers may leave the cheese to age for up to two weeks. The fermentation process can be adjusted to achieve the desired level of acidity or sweetness.
Finally, the cheese can be refrigerated and will last for a couple of weeks. It can be served as a spread, rolled into a log, or used as a base for other recipes.
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Taste and texture
The taste and texture of vegan cheese have evolved from the initial products, which were inferior in quality to dairy cheese or modern vegan cheese, with a waxy, chalky, or plastic-like texture. Today, vegan cheese comes in a variety of textures, ranging from soft fresh cheeses to aged and cultured hard grateable cheeses like plant-based Parmesan. It can be made from a variety of plant-based sources, including vegetables, seeds, and nuts, each imparting its own unique flavour and texture.
Vegan cheese made from coconut milk, cream, and oil, for example, is high in fat, allowing it to mimic the creamy, dense characteristics of cheese. However, coconut does not taste like cheese, so additional flavouring is often needed. On the other hand, vegan cheese made from nuts does not melt due to its solid base, so food scientists use a blend of gums, protein solids, and fats to create a melt similar to dairy cheese.
Soy is another common ingredient in vegan cheese, and some companies are now using genetically engineered yeast to synthesise cow milk proteins without the use of cows. While these products aim to replicate the melting characteristics of dairy cheese, they may not always succeed, resulting in a product that stays in tiny shreds when melted.
The taste of vegan cheese has also been a topic of discussion. Some brands have been criticised for their lack of cheese flavour, while others have been praised for their tanginess and creaminess. The addition of ingredients like nutritional yeast, spices, and herbs can enhance the flavour of vegan cheese.
Overall, advancements in vegan cheese-making have allowed for products that melt, ooze, and bubble just like traditional cheese. Some people may hardly tell the difference between vegan and dairy cheese nowadays, especially when it comes to the texture. However, the flavour of vegan cheese tends to be less complex than that of dairy cheese due to the lack of natural bonding between plant-based proteins.
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Health benefits
Whether vegan cheese is healthy or not depends on the type and how often it is consumed. While vegan cheese can be a good alternative to dairy cheese, it can also be highly processed and contain unhealthy ingredients.
Vegan cheese is a plant-based product that resembles dairy cheese but does not contain any animal-derived ingredients. Common ingredients in vegan cheese include nuts, seeds, soy, vegetable protein, and oils. These ingredients are deemed healthy components of a balanced diet. For example, nuts and soy are associated with improved blood lipid profiles and a reduced risk of coronary heart disease. Additionally, vegan cheese is free from lactose, making it suitable for those with lactose intolerance.
However, some types of vegan cheese contain large amounts of refined oils, preservatives, colour additives, and sodium, while being nutritionally void. Coconut oil, a common ingredient in vegan cheese, is high in saturated fat. It is important to read the nutrition labels and scan the ingredients when choosing a store-bought vegan cheese, as the health benefits can vary significantly between brands.
In general, vegan diets are higher in fibre and various vitamins and minerals than omnivorous diets, and they may contribute to improved gut and digestive health. Making your own vegan cheese at home is often healthier than store-bought options, as homemade cheese is less likely to contain unhealthy additives. Ultimately, the health benefits of vegan cheese depend on individual health needs and the specific ingredients of the cheese.
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Vegan cheese brands
Vegan cheese is a non-dairy, plant-based alternative to regular cheese. It is typically made from plant proteins, oils, thickeners, and other ingredients like coconut oil, nutritional yeast, tapioca, rice, potatoes, and spices. The process of making vegan cheese shares some steps with traditional cheesemaking, but without the use of animal milk.
While vegan cheese was once considered lower in quality than dairy cheese, with a waxy, chalky, or plastic-like texture, the market has evolved significantly. Today, there are numerous brands offering a wide range of vegan cheese options, including soft fresh cheeses, aged cheeses, and hard grateable cheeses. Here are some popular vegan cheese brands:
- Miyoko's Creamery: Miyoko's offers a range of vegan cheese options, including a highly-rated fresh Italian-style vegan mozzarella. They also have liquid pizza mozzarella and cream cheese.
- Violife: Violife is known for its vegan Parmesan shreds and wedges, as well as its pizza cheese, which is used by popular restaurant chains like Pizza Hut and Dominios.
- Follow Your Heart: This brand offers a variety of vegan cheese options, including mozz and cheddar shreds, smoked gouda and cheddar slices, and grated parm.
- Chao: Chao slices are known for melting well and are a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches.
- Kite Hill Foods: Kite Hill specializes in vegan cream cheese and ricotta cheese alternatives. Their ricotta cheese has a unique texture that can be used in recipes like lasagna.
- Trader Joe's: Trader Joe's offers an affordable selection of vegan cheeses, including hard cheeses, soft cheeses, and cheese spreads. Their vegan feta and cheddar cheese are worth trying.
- Parma: Parma offers simple Parmesan substitutes in the form of shakers, blending nutritional yeast and nuts.
- Nurish: Nurish's mozza blocks are a popular choice for pizzas, offering a good melt and flavour.
- Herbivorous Butcher: This brand offers sliced vegan cheese that works well for cold sandwiches.
- New Culture, Change Foods, Legendairy Foods, and Better Dairy: These are newer companies that have entered the vegan cheese market, offering innovative animal-free cheese options.
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Labelling and controversy
The labelling of vegan cheese has been a source of controversy, with dairy industry groups advocating for the prohibition of terms like "cheese" on non-dairy products. This controversy has led to varying regulations and standards across different regions. In the European Union and the United Kingdom, for example, labelling purely plant-based products as "cheese" is prohibited. The Court of Justice of the European Union clarified in 2017 that plant-based products cannot be labelled and sold as "plant cheese" or "veggie cheese". Similarly, in the United Kingdom, strict standards are applied to food labelling, restricting the use of terms like "milk", "cheese", and "cream" to describe only dairy products.
This controversy has resulted in disputes between vegan cheese producers and regulatory bodies. In 2019, a vegan cheese shop in Vancouver, Canada, was initially ordered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to stop using the term "cheese" as it was deemed misleading to consumers, despite the store's products being labelled as "dairy-free" and "plant-based". However, the CFIA later reversed its decision, allowing the use of the term "100% dairy-free plant-based cheese" as long as it was truthful in its labelling. Similarly, a vegan cheese shop in Brixton, UK, faced a request from Dairy UK to stop describing its products as cheese, while Miyoko's Creamery, a vegan cheese company, filed a lawsuit against the California Department of Food and Agriculture over the use of dairy terms on its packaging.
The controversy surrounding the labelling of vegan cheese stems from the argument that cheese inherently involves dairy and that plant-based alternatives do not share the same characteristics or "story" as traditional cheese. Some argue that cheese is not just a product but a narrative of place, animals, cheesemakers, art, and science, which plant-based cheeses cannot replicate. However, others defend the use of the term "cheese" for vegan alternatives, highlighting the improved quality and taste of modern vegan cheese options.
The controversy has also extended beyond labelling, with some consumers and critics expressing mixed opinions about the taste, texture, and overall experience of consuming vegan cheese. While some vegan cheeses have been praised for their mouthfeel, flavour, and similarity to traditional cheese, others have been criticised for their rubbery or powdery texture, plasticky taste, and difficulty in melting. The variability in the quality and composition of vegan cheese has led to a perception of inconsistency within the category.
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Frequently asked questions
Vegan cheese is made from plant-based proteins or vegetable proteins derived from sources such as soybeans, almonds, and their milk. Vegan cheese can also be made from seeds, such as sesame, sunflower, nuts (cashew, pine nut, peanuts, almond) and soybeans, as well as other ingredients like coconut oil, nutritional yeast, tapioca, rice, potatoes, and spices.
The process of making vegan cheese shares some steps with traditional cheesemaking. First, bacteria is used to separate out the plant proteins. Then, ingredients such as oils and
Vegan cheese has come a long way in terms of taste and texture. While early vegan cheeses were described as waxy, chalky, or plastic-like, recent advancements have allowed vegan cheese to melt, ooze, and bubble just like regular cheese. Some people can hardly tell the difference! However, vegan cheese tends to have less complex and unique flavors than dairy cheese due to the difference in protein sources.
Popular brands of vegan cheese include Miyoko's Creamery, Daiya, Follow Your Heart, So Delicious, Kite Hill, Tofutti, Babybel, and Violife.
