Non-Dairy Cheese: Exploring Vegan Alternatives

Vegan cheese is a non-dairy, plant-based alternative to traditional cheese. It is made from vegetable proteins, seeds, nuts, soybeans, coconut oil, nutritional yeast, and other ingredients. The defining characteristic of vegan cheese is the exclusion of all animal products. The quality of vegan cheese has improved in recent years, and it is now possible to find dairy-free alternatives to almost any type of cheese. While some people may be hesitant to try vegan cheese due to concerns about taste and texture, there are many options available that offer similar experiences to their dairy-based counterparts.

Characteristics of Non-Dairy Cheese

Vegan cheese is made from nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, and plant proteins

Vegan cheese is a non-dairy, plant-based alternative to cheese. It is made from a variety of ingredients such as nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, and plant proteins.

Nuts such as cashews, almonds, pistachios, and macadamia nuts are commonly used in vegan cheese production. These nuts are blended and mixed with other ingredients to create a creamy texture. Seeds like pumpkin and sunflower seeds can also be used to make vegan cheese.

Vegan cheese gets its cheesy flavor from nutritional yeast, a flaky yellow powder with an umami flavor. Other ingredients such as coconut oil, potato starch, tapioca, rice, and spices are also added to enhance the taste and texture of the cheese.

The process of making vegan cheese involves heating the ingredients, including proteins and starches, to create a viscous paste. This paste is then formed into desired shapes and cooled to create a firm texture. Vegan cheese can be made meltable or sliceable, depending on the ingredients and preparation methods used.

Vegan cheese offers a healthier and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional dairy cheese. It is also a good option for those who are lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy products. However, one of the challenges in producing vegan cheese is mimicking the complex structure and composition of traditional cheese using plant-based ingredients.

Overall, vegan cheese made from nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, and plant proteins provides a delicious and nutritious alternative for those seeking a non-dairy option.

It's also made from coconut oil, nutritional yeast, tapioca, rice, potatoes, and spices

Vegan cheese is a category of non-dairy, plant-based cheese alternatives. While real cheese comes from the milk of cows, goats, or sheep, vegan cheese is made from vegetable proteins, seeds, and plant milks.

Vegan cheese can be made from coconut oil, nutritional yeast, tapioca, rice, potatoes, and spices. Coconut oil is a vegetable oil that is commonly used in vegan cheese, as it has a creamy texture and a rich savoury flavour. Nutritional yeast is added to give the cheese its signature cheesy flavour. Tapioca, a starch extracted from cassava root, is often added to give the cheese a stretchy, melty texture.

A recipe for vegan cheese might also include rice, potatoes, and spices. These ingredients can add flavour and texture to the cheese. For example, a vegan cheese recipe might include potato starch and potato protein, which can give the cheese a creamy texture and a tangy, fermented flavour. Likewise, rice can be used as a base for vegan cheese, as it is mild in flavour and can be moulded into a solid cheese.

In addition to these ingredients, a vegan cheese recipe might include olive oil, soy milk, and lemon juice. These ingredients can improve the texture and flavour of the cheese. For example, olive oil can add a rich flavour to the cheese, while lemon juice can add acidity and a tangy flavour.

It's generally more expensive than dairy cheese

Non-dairy cheese, or vegan cheese, is a category of plant-based cheese analogues. They are made from vegetable proteins, seeds, nuts, coconut oil, and other ingredients.

Vegan cheese is generally more expensive than dairy cheese. In the 1990s, vegan cheese sometimes cost twice as much as dairy cheese. This price difference can be attributed to various factors, such as production costs, demand, and market competition.

Firstly, the production of vegan cheese involves different processes and ingredients than dairy cheese, which can impact costs. Vegan cheesemakers use vegetable proteins, seeds, nuts, and other plant-based sources to create their products. These ingredients may have higher procurement costs than traditional dairy ingredients, and the process of extracting and combining them to mimic the taste and texture of cheese can be complex and time-consuming.

Secondly, the demand for vegan cheese has been increasing. More people are adopting vegan or plant-based diets, and others may be lactose intolerant or looking to reduce their dairy intake. This increased demand can drive up prices, especially if the supply is limited or if producers face challenges in scaling up production to meet the growing demand.

Lastly, the market for vegan cheese is still developing and may have less competition than the dairy cheese market. With a smaller number of producers, there may not be enough economies of scale to drive down prices. Additionally, some vegan cheese companies are start-ups that have recently entered the market, and they may have higher production and marketing costs compared to established dairy cheese producers.

While vegan cheese may be pricier, it offers an alternative for those who cannot or choose not to consume dairy. The good news is that the market for vegan cheese is growing, and with increased competition and innovation, prices may become more competitive over time.

Some popular brands of vegan cheese include:

• Follow Your Heart
• Violife
• Miyoko's Creamery
• Daiya
• Kite Hill
• Trader Joe's

It's commercially available at Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Walmart, and Kroger

There are many non-dairy cheese options available at Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Walmart, and Kroger.

Trader Joe's

Trader Joe's offers a variety of vegan cheeses, including hard cheeses, soft cheeses, and cheese spreads. Some of their products include:

• Vegan Feta: A block of vegan feta sitting in brine, made with coconut oil, potato starch, and potato protein. It has a strong fermented smell and a creamy texture, adding a rich savory flavor to dishes like Greek salad and pasta.
• Cheddar Style Slices: A sweet-tasting vegan cheddar made with cashews and coconut oil. It has a grainy texture and melts well, making it suitable for grilled cheese or burgers.
• Vegan Cream Cheese: A smooth and coconutty cream cheese alternative with a texture similar to dairy cream cheese. It works well in recipes like spinach artichoke dip.
• Dairy-Free Shredded Parmesan Cheese: Thin Parmesan shreds made from potato starch, coconut oil, and yeast extract. It has a pleasant texture and a mildly nutty, yeasty flavor, making it a versatile option for salads, dips, and pasta.
• Dairy-Free Mozzarella Style Shreds: Thick and slightly chalky mozzarella shreds with a nutty and sweet flavor. They melt well and are ideal for recipes like quesadillas, pizza, and pasta.
• Boursin Dairy-Free Cheese Spread: A light and airy cheese spread with a tangy and savory flavor. It can be used as a dip, spread, or added to dishes like mashed potatoes.

Whole Foods

Whole Foods offers a wide range of vegan cheese options, including:

• Dairy-Free Cutting Board Mozzarella Style Vegan Cheese Shreds
• Dairy-Free Medium Cheddar Style Vegan Cheese Block
• Dairy-Free Swiss Style Vegan Cheese Slices
• Dairy-Free Jalapeno Havarti Style Vegan Cheese Block
• Chive Cream Cheese Style Spread
• Artisan Almond Milk Ricotta
• Plain Cashew Cream Cheese
• Original Dairy-Free Cream Cheese
• Non-Dairy Gouda Cheese Slices
• Plant-Based Mexican Style Shredded Cheese
• Non-dairy Parmesan Style Cheese Shreds
• And many more!

Walmart

Walmart offers a selection of dairy-free cheeses, such as:

• Daiya Dairy-Free Cheddar Style Vegan Cheese Slices and Shreds
• Follow Your Heart Dairy-Free Smoked Gouda Slices
• Misha's Smoked Cheddar - Dairy Free Cheese
• Field Roast Refrigerated Chao Creamy Dairy Free Original Slices
• Violife Dairy Free Refrigerated Mozzarella Shreds
• And more!

Kroger

Kroger also provides a range of non-dairy cheese options:

• Simple Truth Dairy Free Cheddar Shredded Cheese
• Violife Just Like Mozzarella Shreds Shredded Cheese Dairy-Free Vegan
• Daiya Dairy Free Mozzarella Shredded Cheese
• Follow Your Heart Dairy Free American Style Sliced Cheese
• Field Roast Creamy Original Chao Slices
• Babybel Plant-Based Vegan Original Snack Cheese
• Kite Hill Dairy Free Almond Milk Plain Cream Cheese Spread
• Violife Just Like Cheddar Slices, Dairy-Free Vegan
• Follow Your Heart Dairy Free Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
• And more!

It's often used in place of dairy cheese for grilled cheese, pizza, and lasagna

There are many non-dairy cheese options that can be used in place of dairy cheese for grilled cheese, pizza, and lasagna.

Grilled Cheese

For grilled cheese, it's best to use sliced vegan cheese, as shredded cheese doesn't melt as well for this particular dish. Some good options include:

• Follow Your Heart Smoked Gouda
• Field Roast Chao Creamy Original
• Violife Mature Cheddar
• Good Planet American
• Whole Foods' 350 gouda slices

Pizza

For pizza, shredded or liquid vegan cheese is best. Some good options include:

• Miyoko's Liquid Vegan Pizza Mozzarella
• Miyoko's Organic Cashew Milk Mozzarella
• Follow Your Heart Vegan Shredded Mozzarella
• Violife Just Like Mozzarella Shreds
• Daiya Mozzarella Style Shreds
• 365 Plant-Based Mozzarella-Style Cheese

Lasagna

For lasagna, it's best to use a combination of shredded and liquid or soft vegan cheese. Some good options include:

• Liquid mozzarella and vegan mozzarella shreds
• Vegan ricotta
• Béchamel sauce

Frequently asked questions