Learn how vegan cheese is made, if it’s healthy and how it tastes.
Plus find out our favorite vegan cheese brands.
Thank food technology, human ingenuity and the popularity of vegan diets for bringing cheese into the dairy-free world.
Photo: Will Dickey
But what exactly is vegan cheese and what do you gotta know before you try it?
What Ingredients Are in Vegan Cheese?
Vegan cheeses are 100% animal-free and made using vegetable proteins.
it’s possible for you to also find cheeses that derive from agar, tapioca, peas and arrowroot.
Many contain added starches and thickeners such as carrageenan and xanthan gum.
Keep Reading:9 Healthy Tips to Help You Start Eating a Vegan Diet
How Is Vegan Cheese Made?
But over time, they realized that wasn’t going to cut it.
Plant proteins are separated using bacteria.
Then ingredients such as oils and thickeners are added to help create the desired cheeselike consistency.
Just like traditional cheeses, the next big thing needed for a tasty vegan cheese is time.
The vegetable protein and bacteria sit and break down further.
The result is flavors that tend not to be as complex and unique.
Try These:Healthy Vegan Dinner Recipes
Does Vegan Cheese Taste Like Cheese?
The biggest thing you’ll notice with your dairy-free cheese is that it doesn’t melt quite the same.
Don’t expect quite the same ooey-gooey experience when you top your pizza with vegan cheese.
Keep Reading:The 5 Best Vegan Cheeses to Try
Is Vegan Cheese Healthy?
Vegan cheeses are typically lower in fat, protein and calcium than regular cheese and are likely gluten-free.
Keep Reading:9 Vegetarian & Vegan Protein Substitutes
What Are the Best Brands of Vegan Cheese?
Vegan Mozzarella Cheese:“Miyoko’s Fresh Italian-Style Vegan Mozzis the real deal,” Moreno says.
Burton agrees that Miyoko’s Creamery makes a terrific mozzarella substitute.
Vegan Ricotta Cheese:Kite Hillhas nailed the unique texture of ricotta cheese, Moreno says.
“They come in outstanding flavor varieties, and their textures rival any dairy cheeses.”
She recommends checking out varieties byTreeline,Dr-CowandPunk Rawk Labs.
