Bushra Griffith
Vegan cheese is a dairy-free alternative to regular cheese, often made from soy milk or other plant-based milk. While vegan cheese can be a great way for vegans to enjoy cheese-based dishes like pizza, grilled cheese, and queso dip, it has earned a reputation for being unpleasant-smelling and tasting. Some people have described the smell of vegan cheese as similar to vomit or sweaty gym socks. The off-putting smell and taste of vegan cheese may be due to the absence of casein, a protein found in animal milk that gives regular cheese its melting and stretching properties. Additionally, the use of certain ingredients, such as nuts, onions, and garlic, can help improve the taste of vegan cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Smell | Like vomit or sweaty gym socks |
| Taste | Bland, terrible, or nutty |
| Protein | Not a good source of protein |
| Melt | Does not melt |
| Ingredients | Soy milk or other plant milk |
| Improvement | Add garlic, onions, herbs, and spices |
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What You'll Learn
- Vegan cheese is designed to be as close to original cheese as possible
- Vegan cheese is made from soy milk or other plant milk
- It does not contain casein, the protein that makes regular cheese melt
- Nut bases, herbs and spices can be added to vegan cheese to improve its taste
- Some brands of vegan cheese are better than others
Vegan cheese is designed to be as close to original cheese as possible
Vegan cheese is often made from soy milk or other plant-based milk, which does not contain casein. Some vegan cheeses are made from nuts, such as cashews, almonds, macadamias, or brazil nuts, which have a neutral flavor and easily blend in with the cheese. Nutritional yeast is also sometimes used in vegan cheese, although some people do not think it tastes like cheese.
Vegan cheese often has added ingredients to make it taste and smell more like real cheese, which may contribute to its strong smell. Some people find that vegan cheese has a very strong smell, resembling vomit or sweaty gym socks. However, others find that the smell is not as bad as the taste.
There are ways to make vegan cheese taste better, such as adding garlic, onions, herbs, and spices. Some people also find that certain brands of vegan cheese taste better than others, such as Violife, Bedda, and Field Roast Chao slices.
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Vegan cheese is made from soy milk or other plant milk
Vegan cheese is designed to be as close to original cheese as possible in terms of taste, smell, and consistency. It can be made from various plant-based sources, including plant proteins and vegetable proteins derived from soybeans, soy milk, almond, and almond milk. Vegan cheese can also be made from seeds such as sesame, sunflower, nuts (cashew, pine nut, peanuts, almond, and macadamia), and soybeans. Other common ingredients include coconut oil, coconut milk, coconut cream, nutritional yeast, tapioca, tapioca starch, rice, potatoes, and spices.
The manufacturing process of fermentation is often used to replicate the texture and flavor of dairy cheese. However, this process differs from that of dairy cheeses as plant-based milk proteins react differently to culturing agents and do not coagulate in the same way. Vegan cheese must be aged using alternative methods, such as monitoring ambient temperature and humidity, and culturing agents like rejuvelac, non-dairy yogurt, kombucha, and kefir grains. If these processes are not conducted properly, with good hygiene and correct fermentation techniques, the final product may carry pathogens like Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli.
The mouthfeel and melt of dairy cheese are mimicked in vegan cheese through a "blend of gums, protein, solids, and fats." Nut-based vegan cheeses do not melt due to their solid base, so ingredients like tapioca are added to give the cheese stretchy, melty properties. Some vegan cheeses are not cultured or aged; instead, acidic ingredients like lemon juice are used to achieve a similar taste to dairy cheese.
The process of making vegan cheese involves first separating plant proteins from overall plant matter, typically using bacteria. Then, thickening agents, oils, and other ingredients are added to create a cheese-like consistency and improve taste before the mixture is left to ferment. Like traditional cheese, vegan cheese comes in various styles, including cream cheese, blocks of cheese, soft spreadable cheese, grated cheese, cheese dips, and shredded cheese.
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It does not contain casein, the protein that makes regular cheese melt
Vegan cheese is made from soy milk or other types of plant milk. Unlike animal milk, plant milk does not contain casein, the protein that makes regular cheese melt. Casein has clotting features that cheesemakers exploit to make cheese gooey and stretchy. This enzyme allows the cheese to stretch without breaking. Vegan cheese does not stretch because it lacks this enzyme.
Cheesemakers and food biologists have been trying to find a solution to this problem by adding casein artificially, but they have not succeeded yet.
Some people find the smell of vegan cheese unpleasant. This may be because vegan cheese often tries to mimic the taste, smell, and consistency of regular cheese. Dairy cheese, especially some Italian cheeses, can be rich in butyric acid, which is responsible for a "vomit" smell. It is possible that vegan cheeses add something to make it taste and smell more like the real deal, even if it makes it more vomit-like in the process.
There are ways to make vegan cheese taste better. For example, when making vegan cheese at home, one can use a nutty base, such as cashews, almonds, macadamias, or brazil nuts. These nuts easily blend in with the cheese without affecting the overall taste. Additionally, herbs and spices can be added to enhance the flavor of vegan cheese.
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Nut bases, herbs and spices can be added to vegan cheese to improve its taste
Many people have complained about the smell and taste of vegan cheese, describing it as "vomit-like". This may be because vegan cheese tries to mimic the taste and smell of regular cheese as closely as possible, and dairy cheese can be rich in butyric acid, which is responsible for that "vomit" smell.
Nut bases, herbs, and spices can be added to vegan cheese to improve its taste. For example, Minimalist Baker has a recipe for a creamy vegan cheese infused with lemon, garlic, dill, and nutritional yeast. The recipe also calls for cashews, which need to be soaked to blend properly. Chives can be used instead of dill, and extra nutritional yeast can be added for more cheesiness. The recipe also recommends adjusting the seasonings as needed, adding more lemon zest for tartness, nutritional yeast for cheesiness, garlic for zing, or salt for flavor and balance. The cheese can then be coated with chopped herbs and more lemon zest before serving.
Another flavor idea suggested by Minimalist Baker is an almond and apricot cheese, where dried apricots are mixed in or used as a topping on the finished cheese.
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Some brands of vegan cheese are better than others
Some vegan cheese brands are better than others, and it can be hard to find the perfect one. Many brands offer a wide range of products, but not all of them are equally tasty. For example, Follow Your Heart carries a variety of vegan cheese products, including dairy-free parmesan, crumbled blue cheese, shreds, and blocked mozzarella, as well as several options for vegan mayonnaise. While the brand gets the flavor profile of dairy-free cheeses well, it may need to work on the texture of its products.
Violife is another popular brand that offers everything from shreds and slices to blocks and spreads in flavors like mozzarella, cheddar, and smoked provolone. It has a smooth texture and a rich taste, making it a favorite among vegans and dairy-free eaters. However, some people have complained about the smell of Violife cheese, saying that it stank up their entire house.
Other brands like Daiya, Miyoko's, Good Planet, and Nuts for Cheese also offer a variety of vegan cheese products that are worth trying. Daiya, for instance, has a wide range of shreds, slices, blocks, and even cheese sticks, making it easy to enjoy your favorite cheesy dishes without the dairy. Miyoko's, on the other hand, uses organic cashews and traditional fermentation techniques to create buttery, creamy, and tangy dairy-free cheeses. Good Planet offers classic flavors like cheddar, mozzarella, and smoked gouda, which are perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches, pizzas, and snacks. Nuts for Cheese offers a gourmet selection of handcrafted, organic, and cashew-based cheeses with flavors like Un-Brie-Lievable and Black Garlic, making them a great option for charcuterie boards.
While there are many great options available, it's important to remember that not all vegan cheese brands are created equal. Some products may have a strange flavor, smell, or poor melting performance, so it's always a good idea to read reviews and do your research before purchasing.
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Frequently asked questions
Vegan cheese is often designed to be as close to original cheese as possible in terms of taste, smell, and consistency. However, it is made from soy milk or other plant milk, which does not contain casein, the protein responsible for the melting behavior of regular cheese. The absence of casein may contribute to an unpleasant smell.
You can improve the taste and smell of vegan cheese by adding ingredients such as onions, garlic, herbs, and spices. Using a nutty base, such as cashews, almonds, macadamias, or brazil nuts, can also enhance the flavor.
Vegan cheese has earned a negative reputation over the years due to its smell, taste, and texture. Some people find it to be bland, sticky, or stomach-ache-inducing. However, others find certain brands, such as Violife, to be quite delicious.
Yes, some alternatives to vegan cheese that don't have a strong smell include nut-based cheeses made from cashews, almonds, or other nuts, and brands like Kite Hill and Tree Line. You can also make your own vegan cheese at home using these ingredients to ensure better taste and smell.
To reduce the smell of vegan cheese when cooking, you can sauté it with finely chopped garlic and onions, or add spices and herbs to enhance the flavor and mask the smell. Using vegan cheese in grilled cheese, pizza, or queso dip can also help mask the smell and improve the overall taste of the dish.
