A Guide To Plant Based Cheese

Don't let being a cheese-lover get in the way of you going vegan! Ditching animal products doesn't mean you have to give up cheddar, gouda, camembert, or even stilton. There's likely an equally as delicious plant-based substitute out there for your favourite cheese if you look hard enough. 

The rise of dairy alternatives has meant that vegan cheeses have become increasingly more realistic in recent years. You can melt them, add them to cheeseboards, have them in sandwiches, or anything else you do with standard dairy cheese. And if the following brands and varieties still don't float your boat, you can always make plant-based cheese from home!

Cashew-based cheese is renowned for being creamy and luxurious. These products are often slightly more expensive but worthwhile, especially if you're trying to impress dinner guests with a vegan charcuterie board. Brands with cashew-based cheese include Kinda Co., and I AM NUT OK.

Soy-based is a type of cheese made from the milk of soybeans. Brands with soy-based cheese include Bute Island's Sheese and VBites. 

Coconut-based cheese is made with coconut oil, often making these products taste mild and creamy. Brands with coconut-based cheese include GreenVie and Violife.

Tofu already has a similar consistency to cheese, making it a great substitute by default. Tofu particularly works well for recreating feta, halloumi, and cream cheeses. A brand with tofu-based cheese includes Tofutti. 

Like with other nut cheeses, almond-based cheese has a good amount of healthy fats and richness, allowing it to replicate the flavour-profile of dairy. Brands with almond-based cheese include Nush and Bonsan.

Many vegan cheese products (including some of the above) are created using a mixture of bases. For example, a product could be made with coconut oil and almonds, like the Gorgonzola substitute from Honestly Tasty.

Applewood's Smoked Cheese is smooth, creamy and melts beautifully. It's free from soy, lactose and gluten, and is also a source of B12 and calcium. The next time you fancy a toastie, you must make this smoked cheese your go-to!

Bute Island’s dairy-free alternative to cream cheese is chock-full of chives and creaminess. It’s made with coconut oil, is incredibly fresh, and evokes an unmistakable taste of summer! Take it on your next picnic, spread it on your morning toast, or add it to your favourite cheesy recipes. 

I AM NUT OK's signature cheese, MinerThreat, is bold, smoky, and ripened in a coat of activated coconut charcoal ash. It also features a gorgeous black vein running down the centre, making it a stunning and irresistible addition to any cheeseboard - vegan or not vegan!

Kinda Co's Italian Style Hard Cheese is the perfect alternative to parmesan. It's cheesy, tangy, and will have you wanting to sprinkle it on everything, from salads to pizzas! 

Enjoy the refreshing taste and crumbly texture of Violife's Greek-Style Block that will have you craving more, more, more! You can enjoy this feta alternative on salads, on starters, and even pasta dishes. Could there be a better cheese option for the summer season?!