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Missing out on cheese is a big sacrifice if you follow a vegan or plant-based diet. Whether on top of pizza or as part of a sandwich, cheese adds a comforting, savoury touch to many meals. But food technology has come up with a solution to keep the cheese on your plate without sacrificing ethics or dietary choices as veganism gains momentum. Vegan cheese has become incredibly popular, bringing along with it plant-based alternatives to everyone looking for that cheesy goodness without the dairy. But just what is vegan cheese? Does it taste the same as traditional cheese? What are its ingredients, and what are its health benefits? Let's take a closer look at this dairy-free option.
What Is Vegan Cheese?
Vegan cheese is one of a kind of plant-based alternative to dairy cheese. This was specifically created for those who avoid animal products, in addition to being more aligned with healthier living through appropriate nutritional intake. Unlike traditional cheese, which uses the milk of cows, goats, or sheep, vegan cheese utilises only plant-based ingredients. Vegetable proteins, oils, and starches are common ingredients of vegan cheese. Since it is non-animal, vegan cheese does not contain a single speck of animal residue. Even though the main purpose of making vegan cheese is to mimic the feel and taste of dairy cheese, vegan cheese production involves unique steps and ingredients, so it's without cruelty and can even be more environmentally friendly than conventional cheese.
Ingredients Used in Vegan Cheese
The ingredients in vegan cheese vary, but among the most common are soy, nuts such as cashews and almonds, and vegetable oils such as coconut oil, which provides the creamy texture and mild flavours so quintessential to cheese. In addition to these ingredients, some cheeses contain tapioca, agar, or arrowroot, which help provide consistency and stretch, particularly in melted varieties, such as vegan mozzarella.
But be aware that some vegan cheeses contain more starches, preservatives, and thickeners, such as xanthan gum or carrageenan. Such additives are designed to replicate the texture of dairy cheese but also make some types of vegan cheese more processed than others. If you're looking for minimally processed foods, in an ideal world, you'll always have time to read the labels.
How is Vegan Cheese Prepared?
The simple process is similar to that of making traditional cheese, but rather than utilising dairy-based proteins, plant-based proteins are used for vegan cheese. In both techniques, the work done by bacteria is critical for protein breakdown and flavour formation. However, because plant proteins do not polymerize in the same way that animal proteins do, it makes vegan cheese so that those complex flavours occur due to the aging process in dairy cheeses unavailable naturally.
To replicate the same texture, vegan cheesemakers rely on oils and thickeners to create a creamy or firm texture depending on the case of the cheese one is making. Others are aged, which enhances the flavour, although they hardly reach the depth in flavour that has been attained with dairy-based cheeses.
Does Vegan Cheese Taste Like Real Cheese?
Among the bigger questions people often ask in discussions about vegan cheese is whether it tastes like the real thing. Of course, the real answer would depend on the brand and style of cheese, but sometimes very vegan cheeses closely mimic their dairy-based cousins, particularly when they are used in cooking, while others have neither the richness nor the complexities associated with more traditional cheese. Another area where it really differs is in melting: vegan cheese doesn't melt in the same gooey way, which can be a letdown for those hoping to replicate the quintessential pizza or grilled cheese experience.
That being said, the technology to vegan cheese is refining and new types are in the pipeline. But if you don't like one type, it is worth trying another as the quality can vary significantly from brand to brand.
Is Vegan Cheese Healthy?
From a health point of view, vegan cheese is normally less fatty and less protein-rich than dairy cheese. However, it cannot be neglected that vegan cheese often undergoes a very long process and usually contains more sodium. It is not a source of protein exactly like dairy cheese, so vegans cannot count on this cheese to be an important nutrient provider for them.
Vegan cheese, therefore, is also perfect for those who are lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy and just don't want to consume animal products. Of course, like any processed food, this should be consumed in moderation if you want to look after your sodium intake.
