
Chao cheese is a vegan cheese product made by Field Roast, a Seattle-based company that makes plant-based meats and cheeses. The cheese is inspired by Vietnamese fermented tofu, which is a popular street food in Vietnam and is often considered an Asian cheese. It is made primarily from coconut and flavoured with a fermented Taiwanese tofu product called chao.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main ingredient | Coconut |
| Flavouring | Fermented Taiwanese tofu |
| Flavours | Creamy original, spicy tomato, coconut herb |
| Manufacturer | Field Roast |
| Manufacturer location | Seattle |
| Manufacturer foundation date | 1997 |
| Manufacturer specialism | Plant-based meats and cheeses |
Explore related products
$118
What You'll Learn
- Chao cheese is made by Field Roast, a Seattle-based vegan meat brand
- It was inspired by Vietnam and Vietnamese fermented tofu
- It is made from coconut and flavoured with a Taiwanese tofu product
- It is available in spicy tomato and coconut herb varieties
- It is not gluten-free, but it does not contain any gluten ingredients

Chao cheese is made by Field Roast, a Seattle-based vegan meat brand
Field Roast entered the vegan cheese market in 2015 with its Chao Slices product. The cheese is made by combining Vietnamese techniques for fermented tofu with its own coconut-based cheese.
Chef David Lee, who co-founded Field Roast, said:
> Chao cheese is a continuation of our fascination with combining traditional Asian and European foods to create new culinary fusions that are real, instead of fake.
The cheese is available in a variety of flavours, including Creamy Original, Spicy Tomato, and Coconut Herb. It is designed to deliver a creamy, smooth, cheesy flavour experience that mimics traditional queso.
Cheese Making: Backwards and Basics Explained
You may want to see also

It was inspired by Vietnam and Vietnamese fermented tofu
Chao cheese is a vegan cheese made by Greek cheesemaker Field Roast, which was founded in Seattle in 1997. The cheese is primarily made from coconut and flavoured with a fermented Taiwanese tofu product called chao.
The cheese was inspired by Vietnam and Vietnamese fermented tofu, which is a popular street food in the country. According to Slow Travel Huế, it has a strong, sweet flavour and a soft and fatty texture. It is often considered Asian cheese, as it has a skin mould like Roquefort or Camembert.
In the late 1880s, the French started to call fermented tofu fromage de soja, which translates directly to soy cheese. In 2015, Field Roast decided to enter the vegan cheese market with a new product called Chao Slices. The company combined Vietnamese techniques for fermented tofu with its own coconut-based cheese.
"Chao cheese is a continuation of our fascination with combining traditional Asian and European foods to create new culinary fusions that are real, instead of fake," said Chef David Lee, who co-founded Field Roast after taking inspiration from China's traditional soy-based vegetarian meats.
Cello Cheese: Where Is This Popular Cheese Made?
You may want to see also

It is made from coconut and flavoured with a Taiwanese tofu product
Chao cheese is made primarily from coconut and flavoured with a fermented Taiwanese tofu product called chao. It is a vegan cheese product sold by Field Roast, a Seattle-based company that makes plant-based meats and cheeses.
Chao cheese was inspired by Vietnamese techniques for fermented tofu, which is a popular street food in the country. It has a strong, sweet flavour and a soft and fatty texture, often considered to be similar to Asian cheese.
The first documented reference of people eating tofu dates back to early 17th-century China, but it also appears in Japanese records and later in the West. In the late 19th century, the French started to call fermented tofu "fromage de soja", or "soy cheese" in English.
Chao cheese was created by combining these traditional Asian techniques with European cheese-making methods to create a new culinary fusion. It is designed to deliver a creamy, smooth, cheesy flavour that mimics traditional queso without the use of dairy.
Feta Cheese: What Milk is Used and Why?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

It is available in spicy tomato and coconut herb varieties
Chao cheese is made by Field Roast, a Seattle-based vegan meat brand. The cheese is inspired by Vietnam and fermented tofu, which is often considered Asian cheese. It is made primarily from coconut and flavoured with a fermented Taiwanese tofu product called chao. It is available in spicy tomato and coconut herb varieties, as well as the "creamy original" flavour. The latter has a surprisingly buttery and pleasant taste, with a depth of flavour that might be unexpected from a plant-based cheese. It also melts in a similar way to real cheese, although it can become too liquidy if left for too long.
Chao cheese is designed to deliver a creamy, smooth, cheesy flavour that mimics traditional queso. It is also gluten-free, although it is not certified as such.
The Birth of Blue-veined: When Was Bondon Cheese First Made?
You may want to see also

It is not gluten-free, but it does not contain any gluten ingredients
Chao cheese is made by Field Roast, a Seattle-based vegan meat brand. The cheese is inspired by Vietnamese techniques for fermented tofu, which is called 'chao' in Vietnam. It is a popular street food in the country, with a strong, sweet flavour and a soft and fatty texture.
Chao cheese is not gluten-free, but it does not contain any gluten ingredients. While wheat gluten is a popular ingredient in fake meats, Field Roast's Chao cheeses are made without gluten. However, it is important to note that the product is not certified gluten-free. For those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, it is always a good idea to check the ingredients and packaging carefully before consuming any product.
Field Roast was founded in Seattle in 1997 and focuses on using whole food ingredients. Their Chao cheese is made primarily from coconut and flavoured with fermented Taiwanese tofu. It is designed to deliver a creamy, smooth, and cheesy flavour experience that mimics traditional queso. The cheese is available in several varieties, including Creamy Original, Spicy Tomato, and Coconut Herb.
According to a review, the Creamy Original flavour has a surprisingly buttery and pleasant taste, with a depth of flavour that is unexpected from a plant-based cheese. It also melts in a manner similar to real cheese, though it can become too liquidy if left for too long.
Black Diamond Cheese: A Canadian Culinary Treasure
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Chao cheese is made in Seattle, USA.
Chao cheese is made by a company called Field Roast.
Chao cheese is made from coconut and fermented tofu.
Yes, Chao cheese is vegan.
Chao cheese does not contain any gluten ingredients, but it is not certified gluten-free.























