

Coconut oil consists of about 90-percent saturated fat, a higher percentage than dairy-based butter, and decades of research have shown that too much saturated fat can raise your levels of low-density lipoprotein, also known as “bad” cholesterol. Some dairy-free cheeses are made from nuts or seeds while others, typically in the form of slices and shreds that melt when heated, are usually made from coconut oil. Like dairy-based cheese, vegan cheese should be enjoyed in moderation for those looking to optimize their health.

While not a whole foods approach, these ingredients get the job done. The key to producing the perfect solid texture that will also melt is nailing the balance between starch and oil content. The ingredients for these processed options vary widely from brand to brand and are generally more extensive than artisan vegan cheeses. Those cultures need time to ferment and get funky.Įveryday cheeses-those that come in shreds and slices-tend to include oils, starches, nut milk or water, lactic acid (vegan), and natural flavorings or spices. While not listed on the ingredient label, time is another essential component of most artisan vegan cheeses. The cashews provide the creaminess of a soft cheese (think brie, feta, mozzarella, and chèvre) while the cultures add the funk-that addictive characteristic that makes cheese so impossible to resist. Starting from the top down, gourmet or artisanal-labeled vegan cheeses are traditionally made with a blend of cashews, oil, cultures, and spices. The ingredients of vegan cheese largely depend on the style of cheese-different foods lend themselves to different flavors and applications. Miyoko’s Creamery What’s in vegan cheese? Here is the 411 on vegan cheese-from how it’s made to the very best brands. On the whole, vegan cheese is now something to be celebrated. Over the years, recipes have been reformulated, refined, and at times completely reinvented-making amends for the somewhat rubbery, bland, and generally off-putting product that was vegan cheese of yesteryear. As little as five years ago, one would be stretching the truth to describe most vegan cheeses in this fashion. It’s creamy, melty, gooey, and 100-percent addictive.
