Patrick Oconnell
&pizza is a fast-growing pizza chain with locations in DC, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. They offer a range of vegan options, including vegan cheese. The pizza chain uses Daiya cheese and offers a number of faux meats, vegan sauces, and toppings. Their vegan mozzarella cheese contains coconut and soy and is made from water, refined coconut oil, potato starch, organic tapioca starch, organic soy milk powder, kappa carrageenan, calcium phosphate, salt, natural flavors, and lactic acid. While some people may enjoy the taste of vegan cheese, others find that it is highly processed and artificial tasting.
Characteristics and Values of Vegan Cheese used at &pizza
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the Cheese | Vegan Mozzarella |
| Ingredients | Water, refined coconut oil, potato starch, organic tapioca starch, organic soy milk powder, kappa carrageenan, calcium phosphate, salt, natural flavors, lactic acid |
| Type | NUMU |
| Contains | Coconut, soy |
| Crust | Gluten-free |
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What You'll Learn
&Pizza offers vegan mozzarella cheese
&Pizza is a fast-growing pizza chain with locations in DC, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. They offer a range of vegan options, including vegan mozzarella cheese.
The vegan mozzarella at &Pizza is provided by NUMU and contains coconut and soy. The full list of ingredients is as follows: water, refined coconut oil, potato starch, organic tapioca starch, organic soymilk powder, kappa carrageenan, calcium phosphate, salt, natural flavors, and lactic acid.
&Pizza allows customers to create their own customized pizzas, with a choice of traditional or gluten-free crust, sauce, and vegan cheese, as well as various vegetable toppings. Some of the recommended vegan pizzas include "Hot In Here," which features spicy tomato sauce, vegan mozzarella, jalapenos, vegan chicken, and "the blend" with an arugula finish, and "Thee Sheriff," which includes a blend of classic tomato and vegan mozzarella, grilled onion, plant-based chicken, and banana peppers with a BBQ sauce drizzle.
While &Pizza offers a variety of vegan options, it is important to note that their pesto sauce, truffle sauce, ranch, basil pesto, special T sauce, and beef meatballs contain dairy. Therefore, customers should carefully review the menu and discuss their dietary needs with the staff before ordering.
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This vegan cheese is made by NUMU
NUMU's vegan mozzarella is made from a blend of water, refined coconut oil, potato starch, organic tapioca starch, organic soy milk powder, kappa carrageenan, calcium phosphate, salt, natural flavors, and lactic acid. It is designed to mimic the taste and texture of traditional mozzarella cheese, providing a "'real' pizza experience" for vegans and those with dairy intolerances.
The use of coconut oil and soy milk provides a creamy, mild flavor, while the starches help to create a stretchy, meltable texture similar to that of dairy-based mozzarella. The calcium phosphate and lactic acid contribute to the characteristic tangy flavor of mozzarella, while also providing some nutritional benefits.
NUMU's vegan mozzarella is a popular choice for pizza chains like &pizza due to its ability to mimic the sensory experience of traditional cheese. It has a mild, unobtrusive cheesy flavor that complements the sauce and bread of a pizza without overwhelming them. While the texture may differ slightly from dairy-based mozzarella, with less density and stretch, it still provides a satisfying melt and mouthfeel.
In addition to its sensory qualities, NUMU's vegan mozzarella also offers nutritional benefits. It is a good source of calcium and protein, providing these essential nutrients to those following a vegan or dairy-free diet. The cheese is also low in saturated fat, addressing a common concern with traditional pizza toppings.
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The vegan cheese contains coconut and soy
Veganism is a way of living that seeks to exclude all forms of animal cruelty and exploitation. It promotes the use of animal-free alternatives for food, clothing, and other purposes. &pizza, a pizza chain with locations in the northeastern United States, including D.C., Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, offers a range of vegan options for those who follow this lifestyle.
&pizza uses vegan cheese that contains coconut and soy. The full list of ingredients in their vegan mozzarella includes water, refined coconut oil, potato starch, organic tapioca starch, organic soymilk powder, kappa carrageenan, calcium phosphate, salt, natural flavors, and lactic acid. This vegan cheese option allows those who are vegan or lactose intolerant to enjoy a more "real" pizza experience.
The pizza chain provides a build-your-own pizza option, allowing customers to choose from a variety of vegan toppings. The traditional and gluten-free crusts are both vegan, and the chain also offers vegan mozzarella, vegan chicken, and vegan sausage. &pizza ensures that its menu clearly indicates which sauces are vegan, making it convenient for customers to make informed choices.
While the vegan cheese at &pizza may not be nutritionally superior to its non-vegan counterparts, it is a good option for those seeking a vegan pizza experience. It is worth noting that the pizzas at &pizza are calorie-dense, so it is recommended to share a pizza or save some for later.
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The vegan cheese contains highly saturated oil, soy protein and chemicals
&pizza offers vegan cheese as a dairy-free option for its customers. The vegan mozzarella they use is NUMU, which contains coconut and soy. While vegan cheese is a great option for those who are lactose intolerant or vegan, it is important to be aware that not all vegan cheeses are healthy.
The vegan cheese contains highly saturated oil, soy protein, and chemicals. The highly saturated oil in vegan cheese often comes from coconut oil or palm oil, which gives the cheese its creamy texture and facilitates melting. However, these oils can have high levels of saturated fat, which is linked to cardiovascular disease. In fact, coconut oil has levels of saturated fat that are as bad as, or worse than, butter fat or lard. Palm oil, also called palm fruit oil, is not only unhealthy but also environmentally damaging, contributing to the destruction of natural habitats.
Soy protein is another common ingredient in vegan cheese, as seen in the &pizza option, which contains soymilk powder. Soy is a good source of protein, but it is important to note that vegan cheeses often contain very little protein overall. This is because they are mostly made from starches and vegetable oils, which can be converted to sugar by the body, leading to weight gain and bloating.
Additionally, some vegan cheeses may contain chemicals or artificial ingredients. While &pizza avoids artificial flavors and high fructose corn syrup, other brands may include these in their products. It is always important to read the ingredient list and nutrition labels to make informed choices.
Despite the potential presence of highly saturated oil, soy protein, and chemicals, vegan cheese has come a long way, and there are now healthier options available. For example, cashew-based cheeses tend to have lower saturated fat and higher protein levels than those made with coconut oil. Some brands, like Miyoko's Creamery, offer fermented, non-GMO, lactose-free, palm oil-free, gluten-free, and soy-free options that are healthier and taste authentic.
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&Pizza also offers vegan chicken and sausage
&Pizza is a popular build-your-own pizza chain with locations across the East Coast of the United States, including D.C., Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. The chain has offered vegan options for quite some time, including vegan mozzarella cheese and sausage.
In 2021, &Pizza expanded its vegan options by collaborating with Daring Foods to launch vegan chicken pizzas. The result was four Daring Pizzas, two of which are all-vegan: the Hot in Here and Thee Sheriff. The Hot in Here is &Pizza's plant-based take on a classic spicy chicken pizza, featuring a spicy tomato sauce base, vegan nut-based mozzarella, grilled onions, pickled Fresno chilis, arugula, a curated spice blend, and vegan chicken from Daring Foods. Thee Sheriff is inspired by a traditional BBQ chicken pizza, featuring classic pizza dough and sauce, grilled onions, banana peppers, BBQ sauce, and Daring Foods' vegan chicken.
In addition to these curated menu items, the soy-based chicken is available as a topping for those who prefer to craft their own pizzas. &Pizza also offers vegan sausage, making it simple to veganize any pie. The vegan sausage can be paired with Follow Your Heart Mozzarella, which is also available at &Pizza.
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Frequently asked questions
&pizza offers vegan mozzarella cheese.
&pizza has a vegan chicken option, vegan sausage, and vegan meatballs. They also offer gluten-free crusts which are vegan.
&pizza has locations in DC, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. They previously had locations in Massachusetts and NYC but these are now closed.
