10 best vegan cheeses

10/13/2017

No dairy in your diet doesn't mean you have to miss out on the good stuff
Yas Necati - @YasNecati
4 days ago

Vegan cheese has long been a subject of debate – and often the butt of the joke. From grime artist JME once declaring it's “got no taste” to a Facebook rant that went viral when Sainsbury’s launched its version using coconut and an angry customer demanded the shop “call it Gary or something” rather than cheese.

Despite vocal critics, there has been a rise in offerings on the supermarket shelves as well as when eating out. A number of restaurant chains including Zizzi, Pizza Express and Ask Italian offer vegan alternatives. Most recently, Pizza Hut announced it would be trialling a dairy-free cheese pizza in five of its branches.

Vegan cheeses can be made from a range of ingredients. Most are coconut oil- or soy milk-based, while others are made from the likes of rice germ or tofu. We’ve trialled loads of brands and picked the best according to price, quality, how well they melt, and of course, how “cheese-like” the product actually is. Some are available from your local supermarket, while others are from specialist vegan retailers.

1. Violife Original Flavour Block, 200g: £2.30, Tesco

Violife has been making vegan cheese since the 90s and the expertise shows. The “original” flavour block (which also comes in varieties including smoked and hot pepper) has long been a vegan staple in the UK for its subtle creamy flavour and versatility. We reckon it’s the best everyday cheese, whether it’s grated and melted on tacos or sliced on crackers. It’s available in major UK supermarkets too.

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2. Sheese Grated Mild Cheddar Style, 200g: £2.89, Veggie Stuff

Made on the Isle of Bute just off the coast of Scotland, Sheese is a long-standing popular brand among dairy-free cheese lovers. When melted, its cheddar has by far the closest likeness to the real deal. We tried putting it on pizza and feeding it to dairy-eaters and they couldn’t tell the difference. Not only does it taste just like its namesake, but it also has a very strong cheddar-like smell, especially when it first comes out of the oven. We’d go as far to argue that it’s even better, as it stays in its creamy, melted state long after it has first been heated. Plus, it comes already grated for convenience.

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3. MozzaRisella Classic, 200g: £3.99, The Vegan Kind

Like us, you might be sceptical of cheese made from rice, but it tastes far better than it sounds, with a mild mozzarella-like flavour. It’s telling that Italian restaurants across the country have been picking this brand to use in their dishes (both specialist vegan outfits like Amico Bio and big chains like Pizza Express). Try it chopped into a salad, melted on pizza, or sliced with tomatoes and bread. This is one cheese that is definitely best melted. We advise sticking it in the freezer for 20 minutes before grating it as it’s too soft otherwise. It’s relatively expensive for an “everyday” cheese, but we think it’s worth the money.

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4. Tyne Chease Cashew Truffle, 150g: £8.95, Tyne Chease

Beautifully presented in a cute wooden box and inspired by traditional methods of cheese making, this delightfully rich, award-winning cheese does not disappoint. Think of it as a solid cheeseboard option or the perfect purchase for a cheese and wine night. Each block is hand-crafted by UK-based family company Tyne Chease, who offer the cashew truffle flavour among many others. This one is made primarily from – you guessed it – cashew nuts, and also contains white truffle oil and Himalayan pink salt. It’s rich, creamy and indulgent – a must try for those looking for something a little more fancy.

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5. Sheese Blue Style, 200g: £2.75, Alternative Stores

Another entry for Sheese, this is not the strongest blue you will ever have. But it is still delicious, and when eaten raw it melts on the tongue. It has a sharp, sour taste and a hard, slightly crumbly texture, but turns soft and chewy when heated. It’s both perfect for lunch time meals and great melted in a cheese sauce to give any dish a zingy flavour. It’s definitely one of the most “cheesy” tasting entries on our list, compared to milder vegan options.

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6. Sainsbury’s Deliciously Free From Cheddar-Style with Chives, 200g: £2.25, Sainsbury’s

Sainsbury’s launched its vegan cheese range last year, and – despite Garygate – it’s been so popular that the supermarket has extended the range since. One of the latest editions, their cheddar-style cheese with chives, is our favourite for a lunch box. It’s both creamy and tangy, and more spreadable than most we tried. Add a flavoursome twist to your regular cheese on crackers combo, or sprinkle into a salad. Sainsbury’s whole dairy-free range is great, but this is our favourite because of its distinct flavour.

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7. Naturally Vegan Food Company Smoked Vegan Cheeze Ball: £16.47 for three, Yumbles

This is one of those vegan cheeses that needs to be tried with an open mind. Although it tastes nothing like the real thing, this made from cashews and almonds has a wonderful flavour in its own right, with surprising ingredients including tofu, mustard and liquid smoke, which gave it a delicious smokey flavour. It’s soft on the inside, with a crunchy outer layer of nuts. Its creator, the Naturally Vegan Food Company, is a small family business based in Northampton which boasts a range of handmade, artisan vegan cheese balls that all smell and taste pretty amazing.

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8. Tesco Free From Soft Cheese, 225g: £2.25, Tesco

Tesco was the second major UK supermarket to release its own range of vegan cheese earlier this year. We first tried the soft cheese in a bagel with avocado and it did not disappoint. It was everything we were hoping for: creamy, cheesy-tasting and rich. It was also very filling, so made for a decent lunch. It spreads delightfully well and is so satisfying that the tub was empty before long.

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9. Wilmersburger Cheese Block: £5.85, Vx

According to online vegan resource HappyCow, Berlin is the vegan capital of Europe. Germany also has vegan cheese brand Wilmersburger. These blocks are available in a range of flavours like mushroom and pepper and are stronger than most vegan offerings, with a distinctive cheesy taste. They make a good sandwich filler when sliced, as well as a great lasagne topper. They melt really well; even bubbling and turning crispy at the edges. Wilmersburger have new products coming to the UK soon, so keep your eyes peeled.

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10. Violife Mediterranean Style Block, 2x 200g, Sainsbury’s

When we heard that Violife was launching a halloumi-style cheese, we were very excited. There are vegan versions of most cheeses out there, but halloumi is rarely replicated. Violife’s take is tasty grilled or fried, and nice and salty. It takes on a spongy, chewy texture when heated, not too dissimilar to the non-vegan original. Although it doesn’t taste exactly the same, it’s still very enjoyable and complements any wrap or burger like halloumi should.

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The Verdict: Vegan cheese

Our all-round dairy-free winner is Violife’s Original Cheese Block, which is delicious raw and melts incredibly well too. If you’re looking for a simple everyday cheese that’s great value for money, we would recommend Sainsbury’s Cheddar-Style Cheese. For something fancier, we’d go for Tyne Chease’s Cashew Truffle.

Source: http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/food-drink/best-vegan-cheese-for-pizza-sauce-tesco-mac-and-cheese-a7990421.html

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