So, you want to go vegan, but you love cheese. It may sound like you can go partially vegan, but there is no such thing. The good news is that with the growing popularity of the vegan lifestyle, more and more companies have learned to adapt. These days, you can find a vegan alternative to pretty much anything – from leather and shoes to meat and milk.
Cheese makes no exception either. However, what makes it so sophisticated is the fact that every manufacturer has their own recipes and ideas. Therefore, two different types from two different manufacturers will always taste differently. Finding the best vegan cheese is quite a challenge then, but it is certainly not impossible.
Vegan cheese is extremely diversified, so you will need to go through some trial and error. Do not go with more than one item in the beginning, as you cannot tell whether or not you will like it. Try out different brands and types before deciding what works for you.
As for the most common types of vegan cheese, here is what you should know.
Soy is the main ingredient for vegan cheese, so most types are made from tofu or other similar sources of soy protein. Some so called vegan friendly cheese has casein, a milk protein. Stay away from it, as it is not vegan.
Other types of vegan cheese are made from raw nuts and seeds. Ingredients are soaked and fermented just like dairy cheese. Some of these ingredients include cashews, almonds, pecans, macadamia nuts and others.
Coconut milk is just as popular, especially when mixed with oil and cream. It has a high content of fat, so it feels like real cheese, yet it is mixed with different types of starch to imitate the texture of dairy cheese.
Some types of cheese are made from various combinations of starchy flours. Most manufacturers rely on potato, tapioca and general flour. These ingredients might be the main ones, but they are also mixed with white beans, cashews and vegan milk.
While not too popular, root vegetable vegan cheese is still available in commerce. You are likely to find carrots and potatoes among the main ingredients.
Just like dairy cheese, vegan cheese is available in all kinds of styles:
Now that you know what to look for, here are the most reputable types of vegan cheese.
UPrise Foods has designed the best vegan cheese for pizza and other foods if you are interested in the Parmesan style. In other words, the cheese is shredded like sprinkles and can go on anything, from pizza and salads to pasta and soups.
The formula has been changed from its original one. These days, it is not just dairy free, but also gluten and soy free, 100% vegan and organic. Since it is made from natural ingredients, it has no GMO ingredients.
The best vegan cheese from UPrise Foods is based on cashews, hemp seeds and nutritional yeast. Various spices have been added to mimic the original taste. Other than that, the manufacturer has also used garlic powder, sea salt and brown rice flour.
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Field Roast has designed the best vegan mac and cheese alternative to dairy cheese. While it does come in slices, it has the perfect texture and taste. Simply shred it and sprinkle it all over your pasta, yet it works with pizza, soups, salads and sandwiches as well.
The cheese is 100% natural. It is made from natural ingredients and has no GMO components. At the same time, it is based on chao tofu – a tasty and creamy type of tofu. The chao tofu in this product is entirely sourced from Greece.
Apart from chao tofu, the manufacturer has also used coconut oil, corn and potato starch, black pepper, oregano and olive extract, among a few other ingredients. The olive extract is mostly used as a preservative – fully natural.
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Parma! is among the best vegan cheese brands out there, mostly because it is family owned and everything is made in house. It all started as a small business trying to find diets that go around allergies and it worked.
The company is known for creating the best vegan cream cheese in terms of taste, but this Parmesan imitation is not to be overlooked either. It is gluten and soy free, but also natural. You also have full protein, B12 and trace minerals.
The plant is kosher. The entire production is made into small batches. There is no heavy machinery on site, but dedicated and skillful hands. All in all, the vegan Parmesan is suitable on everything, from pizza to pasta. Its flavor is based on yeast, nuts and seeds.
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In the end, deciding on the best vegan cheese is entirely up to you. These are some of the top rated brands and products on the market, so they are known for coming as close as possible to the original taste of dairy cheese.
But on another note, the best vegan cheese is a concept that varies from one individual to another. What works for some people may not always work for you, hence the necessity of trying out different types. The best part is that you do have options. As for a recommendation, always start with the top rated products and work your way down if you cannot find something suitable.
Last update on 2024-12-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
