Bushra Griffith
Chao Cheese is a vegan cheese product created by Field Roast. It is made from a combination of coconut oil and chao, a type of fermented tofu from Vietnam. The name Chao Cheese comes from this key ingredient, which is also called chao by the Vietnamese. The product was developed in collaboration with a Greek cheese maker and a family in Taiwan, and it has gained popularity for its rich and creamy texture and bold flavours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name origin | Vietnamese name for fermented tofu |
| Type of tofu | Fermented |
| Country of origin | Vietnam |
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What You'll Learn
Chao Cheese is made from fermented tofu
Chao Cheese is a vegan cheese product made from fermented tofu. It was created by the Seattle-based vegan meat brand, Field Roast, in 2015. The brand combined Vietnamese techniques for making fermented tofu with its own coconut-based cheese to create Chao Cheese.
Chao is the Vietnamese name for fermented tofu, which is a popular street food in the country. It has a strong, sweet flavour and a soft and fatty texture. According to Slow Travel Huế, it is often considered Asian cheese as it has a skin mould like Roquefort or Camembert.
The process of making Chao Cheese involves taking fermented tofu and combining it with coconut oil, resulting in a rich and creamy product that rivals dairy cheese in both flavour and texture. The other ingredients in Chao Cheese include filtered water, modified potato and corn starch, potato starch, sea salt, natural flavour, olive extract (used as a preservative), and beta carotene (for colour).
Chao Cheese has received positive reviews from consumers, with many praising its taste and texture. It is marketed as a "coconut cheese alternative", although reviewers note that there is no coconut taste. The cheese slices are also said to peel easily, shred well, and melt like regular cheese.
Field Roast has continued to expand its Chao Cheese product line, offering new formats such as blocks, shreds, and Cantina-Style Plant-Based Queso. The brand's Chao Creamery sector aims to innovate new options that celebrate the brilliance of plant-based ingredients rather than mimicking traditional dairy cheese flavours.
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The tofu is seasoned with coconut oil
Chao Cheese is a vegan cheese product made by Field Roast. The name "Chao" comes from the Vietnamese word for fermented tofu, a key ingredient in the cheese. The tofu is seasoned with coconut oil, as well as other ingredients like filtered water, modified potato and corn starch, potato starch, soybeans, salt, sesame oil, sea salt, natural flavor, olive extract, and beta carotene. The result is a rich and creamy cheese product that rivals dairy cheese in both flavor and texture.
Chao Cheese was inspired by Vietnamese cuisine and was first released as slices designed to be paired with the brand's vegan meat deli slices. The original flavors included Creamy Original, Tomato Cayenne, and Coconut Herb. Since then, Field Roast has expanded its Chao Cheese range to include blocks, shreds, and Cantina-Style Plant-Based Queso. The products have received positive reviews from those looking for tasty and healthy alternatives to processed cheese, with many impressed by its meltability and stretchiness.
The process of making Chao Cheese involves seasoning tofu with coconut oil and other ingredients. Coconut oil is a type of edible oil extracted from the kernel or meat of mature coconuts. It has a high smoke point and a long shelf life, making it a popular choice for cooking and baking. In the case of Chao Cheese, coconut oil is used to impart a rich and creamy texture to the final product.
The use of coconut oil in Chao Cheese also contributes to its distinct flavor profile. While the cheese is coconut-based, it does not have an overpowering coconut taste. Instead, it offers a subtle and mild flavor, reminiscent of Swiss or provolone cheese. This neutral taste makes it a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes without overwhelming other flavors.
The combination of coconut oil and fermented tofu in Chao Cheese creates a unique product that has helped to change perceptions about vegan cheese. By innovating new flavors that celebrate plant-based ingredients, Field Roast has developed a cheese alternative that is not trying to mimic traditional dairy cheese but instead offers something different and appealing in its own right. This has resulted in a product that is not only popular among vegans but also among those looking to reduce their dairy consumption for health or environmental reasons.
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It is a vegan alternative to cheese
Chao Cheese is a vegan alternative to cheese. It is a coconut-based product seasoned with fermented tofu, also known as chao. Chao is a Vietnamese name for fermented tofu, a soybean curd. Field Roast, the creators of Chao Cheese, partnered with a Greek cheese maker and a Taiwanese family to produce this vegan cheese. The result is a rich and creamy product that rivals dairy cheese in both flavour and texture.
Chao Cheese comes in a variety of forms, including slices, blocks, shreds, and even boxed mac 'n' chao. The slices, which are dairy-free, peel easily, shred well, and melt like regular cheese. They have a subtle, mild flavour similar to Swiss or provolone cheese and a neutral smell. The slices are marketed as a "coconut cheese alternative", but reviewers note that there is no coconut taste. Instead, the coconut oil and coconut provide a creamy texture similar to dairy cheese.
The ingredients in Chao Cheese slices include filtered water, coconut oil, modified potato and corn starch, potato starch, fermented tofu (soybeans, water, salt, sesame oil), sea salt, natural flavour, olive extract (as a preservative), and beta carotene (for colour). These slices are designed to be paired with Field Roast's vegan meat deli slices, offering bold flavours and a cheesy bite.
As a vegan cheese, Chao Cheese provides an alternative for those who want to reduce their dairy consumption or are looking for plant-based options. It innovates new flavours that celebrate the brilliance of plant-based ingredients rather than mimicking traditional dairy cheese flavours. Chao Cheese has received positive reviews from both vegans and non-vegans, indicating that it is a tasty and palatable option for those exploring veganism or looking for dairy-free alternatives.
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The name 'Chao' is Vietnamese
The name Chao is Vietnamese and carries a few meanings. In the Vietnamese language, 'chao' means 'hello'. It is used as a greeting in any circumstance, be it formal or informal. This is similar to the English language, where 'hello' is used in a variety of contexts. In Vietnamese, 'chao' is also the word for fermented tofu, a traditional food in Vietnam.
Field Roast's vegan cheese range is inspired by Vietnam and is made with chao, or fermented tofu. The cheese is created by combining fermented tofu with coconut oil, resulting in a rich and creamy product that rivals dairy cheese in terms of flavour and texture. The name Chao Cheese thus likely originates from the Vietnamese word for fermented tofu, reflecting the key ingredient used in the product.
The process of making chao cheese involves taking a block of condensed soy milk and fermenting it to create tofu, which is then mashed and mixed with coconut oil and other ingredients to form a vegan cheese product. This cheese can be sliced, shredded, or melted, making it a versatile option for those seeking plant-based alternatives to dairy cheese.
While the name Chao Cheese may have Vietnamese origins due to its key ingredient, it is worth noting that the product itself is a fusion of global influences. Field Roast partnered with a Greek cheese maker and a family in Taiwan to produce the chao curd, which is then brought together in Seattle to create the final product. This blend of cultural influences contributes to the unique nature of Chao Cheese as a vegan alternative that offers both flavour and meltability, addressing a common challenge in the vegan cheese market.
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It is produced by Field Roast
Chao Cheese is produced by Field Roast, a company that makes vegan cheese and meat products. The first products to come out of Field Roast's Chao Creamery range were its Chao Slices, which were designed to be paired with the brand's vegan meat deli slices. The original flavours included Creamy Original, Tomato Cayenne, and Coconut Herb, though the latter has since been replaced by Smoked Original and Spicy Original. In addition to slices, Field Roast also offers block and shred options for its Chao Cheese, as well as a Cantina-Style Plant-Based Queso that was released in 2022.
Field Roast's Chao Cheese is inspired by Vietnam and is made with chao, a type of fermented tofu from the country. The process of making the cheese involves seasoning coconut with fermented soybean curd, which is then brought together in Seattle to create the final product. The result is a rich and creamy vegan cheese that rivals dairy in both flavour and texture.
The ingredients in Field Roast's Chao Cheese include filtered water, coconut oil, modified potato and corn starch, potato starch, fermented tofu (soybeans, water, salt, sesame oil), sea salt, natural flavour, olive extract (used as a preservative), and beta carotene (for colour). The product is dairy-free, peels easily, shreds well, and melts like regular cheese.
Field Roast takes pride in making products that are "real, not fake", focusing on innovating new flavours that celebrate plant-based ingredients rather than mimicking traditional dairy cheese flavours. The company's Chao Cheese has received positive reviews from those who have tried it, with some praising its taste, smell, and meltability.
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Frequently asked questions
Chao is a type of fermented tofu from Vietnam, and the Vietnamese word for this is "chao". Field Roast's vegan cheese range is made with this fermented tofu, so the product gets its name from this ingredient.
Chao cheese is made from filtered water, coconut oil, modified potato and corn starch, potato starch, fermented tofu (soybeans, water, salt, sesame oil), sea salt, natural flavour, olive extract (antioxidant used as a preservative), and beta carotene (colour).
Chao cheese has a subtle, mild taste, similar to Swiss or provolone cheese. It has a neutral smell and is slightly more rubbery than dairy-based cheese.
Chao cheese slices can be peeled easily, shredded, and melted. They can be used to make grilled cheese sandwiches or added to hot sandwiches, burgers, or macaroni and cheese.
