The Untold Secret of Vegan Cheese is the possibility of having a safe, animal-friendly, eco-friendly, and even healthy alternative to dairy products.
While we know that people have been making fermented nut milk at home for centuries, most people don’t realize how many different cheeses have already been developed by vegan food companies starting in the 1990s.
From soft pepper jack to vegan feta that actually melts when heated instead of deflating like tofu parmigiana – these days, you really can’t tell the difference between them and their dairy counterparts if you’re not careful.
Sure, some variations on these new gluten-free, soy-free, and palm oil-free products are better than others in terms of taste, texture, and appearance. Still, there’s no question that the science of plant-based dairy has progressed a whole lot farther in just a few years than animal-based dairy did over centuries.
What is Vegan Cheese Made Of?
There are many different types of vegan cheese, but the base ingredients for all kinds of vegan cheese are milk and a binding agent.
The type of milk used will determine what flavor your final product will have – soy or coconut milk produces a milder taste than goat’s or cow’s milk.
To make the cheese, you combine the dairy with other ingredients such as cashews, water, and lemon juice to create a curd-like texture which can then be processed into forms like mozzarella balls or slices.
This process has not changed since traditional cheeses were first invented thousands of years ago. The only thing that has changed is the source of milk.
An increasing number of vegan cheeses are being made from rice milk; recently, Daiya has released a new line of vegan cheeses that use this milk.
Here are a few of the most popular vegan cheeses:
- Creamy Original Daiya: This brand is easy to find in grocery stores and comes in wedges and slices. It has an unmistakably creamy texture, unlike any other vegan cheese out there – the closest comparison would be a light cream cheese. The original flavor has a very mild taste and is suitable for melting or cooking. It’s also great in sandwiches, paired with fresh fruit.
- Ricotta Daiya: Ricotta cheese is made from tofu, not milk. This vegan cheese variety contains rice protein and pea protein to give it an authentic texture – the result is pretty close to the real thing. The ricotta comes in small, half-cubes are of soft cheese delicious as a spread or topping on Italian food.
- Mozzarella Daiya: Also known as ‘Daiya Shreds’ and ‘Daiya Singles,’ this variety is probably the most popular vegan cheese out there right now. It’s slightly more expensive than the original. It tastes very similar but comes in a handy little container that is great for cooking with.
What Does Vegan Cheese Taste Like?
The vegan cheese tastes just like the non-vegan cheese tastes, but with a slightly different texture.
Vegan cheese can be found in many types of flavors, shapes, and textures. Many varieties of vegan cheese may not be made from milk at all – some of these include nut-based cheeses like brie and Emmental, tofu-based cheeses like ricotta (or ‘tof’), and vegetable juice-based cheeses.
They come in many different flavors, so you’ll never get tired of them!
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Is Vegan Cheese Healthier Than Regular Soft Cheeses?
It is a well-known fact that the vegan diet provides you with many health benefits. And among these, the most appreciated are weight loss and cholesterol reduction. But what about their favorite foods? Can they also enjoy them without remorse?
The answer is yes! Health experts have discovered that vegan cheese is just as healthy as the traditional one. In this way, you will not feel deprived of anything, while at the same time letting yourself enjoy a good meal and great flavor!
Vegan cheese is lower in calories and saturated fats than regular soft cheeses.
Soft cheese nutrition information:
- Serving size (1 oz.): 100 Calories, 11g fat
Vegan cheese nutrition information:
- Serving size (1 oz.): 60 Calories, 6g fat.
Are There Any Good Stores That Specialize in Selling Only Vegan Products?
If you live near one of these stores, finding the vegan cheese of your taste will not be challenging. One of these stores that sells almost everything is called Whole Foods Market.
This store offers thousands of products under the category “animal-free,” many of which are cheese-related.
If you want to check out more vegan cheese alternatives and where to buy them, click here.
Is It Possible To Make Vegan Cheese At Home?
Yes, definitely! There are many recipes that you can find on the Internet and try them in your home.
This way, you will avoid many chemicals found in store-bought vegan cheese. It is best to start with something simple like a smooth cream cheese, which you can spread on bread or crackers.
Next time, why not try some mozzarella? Ultimately, who knows what you will come up with!
Why Are Vegan Cheeses Costly?
Vegan cheeses are more costly because they are made from a specific kind of milk called soy or almond. This milk is more expensive than the traditional cow’s milk that is most often used to make cheese.
Many people experience undesirable side effects such as bloating and gas after consuming dairy products.
And, vegan cheeses taste much different from what people expect them to. Most continue to purchase vegan options based on a higher nutritional value or other dietary benefits like cholesterol-free.
The key is looking at labels when choosing vegetarian cheeses and checking for calcium content. Traditional hard cheese does contain hefty amounts of – but not necessarily necessary vitamins found in fruits and vegetables!
Vegans still need to supplement their diet with a quality multivitamin that includes vitamin B12 for a healthy body; even though they avoid meat and dairy products, their bodies are still animal-based.
So, when a vegan cheese has to be processed at such high temperatures to melt as traditional cheese, it will cost more than the manufacturing process itself.
Does Vegan Cheese Have Lactose?
No, most vegan cheese is made with no lactose. There are some exceptions, like aged cheeses and Parmesan-style shreds.
It is also worth noting that lactose intolerance does not always equal the inability to digest dairy. Some individuals can consume small amounts of dairy without symptoms, while others have a more severe reaction.
It is important to note that symptoms can range from mild stomach discomfort to severe nausea and vomiting, depending on the individual.
Celiac disease sufferers also find it hard to consume lactose as it triggers an immune response in the small intestine. As a result, celiac patients must avoid all products containing or made with dairy ingredients because of possible discomfort or long-term complications.
If lactose intolerant, find the “lactose-free” label when choosing vegan cheese, then opt for fresh mozzarella and cottage cheese.
Only aged cheeses like Parmesan tend to have lactose in them due to their method of production. Similarly, shreds that imitate Parmesan are also likely to have lactose.
To eliminate the risk of lactose in your diet, choose cheeses made without any dairy ingredients. This will work for those with lactose sensitivities and help you avoid casein and other animal-derived products.
Soy, rice, or almond-based cheese are good options for people who are lactose intolerant. Their production process is different from regular cheeses, and they do not have any dairy ingredients.
Cheese that does not contain casein or lactose will have a label indicating “lactose-free.” Still, it is best to check the ingredients list before buying. Ingredients like milk solids and whey mean the presence of lactose.
Suppose you are concerned about a possible intolerance. In that case, it is best to consult with your doctor or dietitian before taking any steps towards dietary changes. Their advice will help you manage and treat allergies while not cutting out essential nutrients from your diet.
If you’re not sure if a plant-based product includes any dairy products, the best thing to do is email or call the company for more information.
Does Vegan Cheese Have Cholesterol?
In the US, factory-farmed cows are fed a diet of corn and soybean feed, which has been shown to contain as much as 14% cholesterol.
Milk products that come from these cows will have some cholesterol in them. Raw vegan cheese is made with almond milk or other nut and seed milk; thus, they do not contain any cholesterol.
Cheese has a fat content of around 80% (this percentage varies based on what milk is used and how much moisture is removed during processing). When you eat cheese, the fat in it gets absorbed into your bloodstream.
This raises the cholesterol levels in your blood because cholesterol is a fat-like substance that circulates through the body and can eventually build up in your arteries.
One slice of American cheese has 74.5 milligrams of cholesterol, and one serving of cheddar cheese has 75 mg. Other cheeses may have more or less – in general, the sharper the flavor, the higher the cholesterol content.
Some types of cheese: Cheddar (75mg/oz.), Edam (74mg/oz.), Gouda (71mg/oz.) Swiss (70mg/oz.), Mozzarella (68mg/oz.), Emmentaler (64 mg/oz.), and Monterey Jack cheese (59 mg/oz.).
Many of these cheeses require further processing to be edible.
Final Words
If you want to eat vegan cheese, make sure that it is made with almond milk or other nut and seed milk.
The best thing about these types of plant-based products is they don’t contain any cholesterol whatsoever!
You’ll never have to worry about a heart attack while eating this type of food again. In addition, many types need more processing, so be aware before buying them as not all brands are healthy for you.