Vegan cheese guide: discover options far beyond tofu –

Cheese is one of the most popular dairy products in the world. According to a survey in the United States, each person consumes more than 17 kg of cheese per year, on average. And this can increase considerably when we look at other cultures that have cheese as one of their star ingredients, such as France.

At the same time, the popularity of the vegan diet is growing more and more, and it removes from the diet not only meat but all foods derived from animals, including cheese and, consequently, cheese.

But take it easy! for the nutritionist Luna Azevedo, a reference in planted-based food and a promoter of conscious eating, the first step in adopting veganism is not to become radical, as it is a philosophy of life. “Being vegan is much more than giving up meat. It’s having another perspective of the environment, the animals around you and well-being, since the routine becomes lighter and healthier”, he points out.

And that’s where the alternatives come in. Cutting the cheese out of your life can be difficult, but you don’t have to give up the spice if you want to follow the vegan lifestyle.

The first dairy-free cheeses were created in the 1980s – and they weren’t particularly tasty. But today, there are several tasty varieties.

SOURCES OF VEGAN CHEESES

“The products serve not only the vegan public, but also people who are lactose intolerant, who are concerned about a healthier diet or who simply want to have new gastronomic experiences”, he explains. Reinaldo Emídioproducer of Ecozy, a plant-based product line that produces various cheeses.

See below some vegetable sources for the preparation.

Nuts are alternative sources for vegan cheeses / (Daniel Grizelj/Getty Images)

Several different commercial brands offer cheese-like products made from tofu or other forms of soy protein. Various vegetable oils, gums, and other ingredients are usually added to help mimic the texture and flavor of real cheese.

But pay attention to the label! That’s because some soy-based cheeses contain casein, a milk protein. Casein is included to allow the processed product to melt like real cheese.

Soy-based cheeses that contain casein are not vegan.

However, they may still be appropriate if you are avoiding dairy to manage a lactose allergy.

Cheese alternatives made from different types of raw nuts and seeds may be the most popular type of homemade vegan cheese because they are relatively easy to make at home. It requires minimal processing.

Typically, the nuts or seeds are soaked, mixed, and fermented with the same types of bacteria used to make dairy cheese. Other ingredients such as salt, nutritional yeast or herbs can be added for flavor.

Some of the most popular ingredients for nut and seed based cheeses include: Macadamia Nuts, Cashew Nuts, Almonds, Walnuts, Pine Nuts, Sunflower Seeds, Pumpkin Seeds.

Another popular vegan cheese base is milk, cream and coconut oil.

High-fat coconut is a creamy, cheese-like product – but often requires additional ingredients like agar-agar, carrageenan, cornstarch, tapioca and/or potato starch to mimic the density and texture of real cheese.

Since coconut has a strong flavor on its own that is not reminiscent of cheese, other flavor-boosting ingredients are usually added, such as salt, garlic powder, onion powder, nutritional yeast, and lemon juice.

Some vegan cheeses are made from a combination of different starchy flours, such as tapioca, potato, arrowroot, or all-purpose flour.

Flours are not used alone, but combined with other ingredients such as soy milk, almond milk, cashews, coconut or white beans.

Typically, vegan cheese recipes that use large amounts of flour result in a gravy-like consistency rather than blocky sliced ​​cheese. Results will vary depending on the recipe and the specific ingredients used.

Although less common, some types of vegan cheese use root vegetables as a base. Potatoes and carrots are among the most popular sources.

This method of making vegan cheeses results in a very soft, gravy-like cheese.

The vegetables are first cooked until they are very soft, then mixed with other ingredients such as water, oil, salt and spices to a smooth and creamy consistency.

Aquafaba (chickpea liquid)

Aquafaba is liquid from canned chickpeas.

It is a convenient ingredient for cheese making because it allows the final product to melt when heated in the same way as dairy cheese.

The final product still requires binding ingredients such as agar-agar or carrageenan. Other ingredients such as cashews or coconut cream or oil are also commonly involved.

VARIOUS TYPES

Dish, cheddar, mozzarella, brie… Just choose what you like / (./Getty Images)

Vegan cheese comes in almost every form that traditional milk-based cheese does:

Shredded: Many top brands now offer vegan shredded cheese. Mozzarella and cheddar styles are probably the most popular. Cream cheese: The vegan options for cream cheese are great for spreading on bagels and toast or using in creamy sauces. Like traditional cream cheese, they also come in a variety of flavors. Varieties include vegan ricotta, brie and camembert. Block and sliced: Vegan options for sliced ​​and sliced ​​cheeses come in many varieties, including cheddar, smoked gouda, provolone, and americano. They are most often used in crackers or sandwiches.