The largest Vegan food awards reveal the top ten plant-based cheese
The largest vegan group in the UK, Vegan Food UK, hosted their annual awards, casting 42,000 votes on various vegan products.
Vegan cheese is a largely debated product that is hard to perfect for many. From nut bases to coconut oil, everyone has a personal favourite. Vegan Food UK found the top ten as follows.
1 . Applewood smokey Alternative
Applewood cheese came first in the awards, making it the most popular plant-based cheese in the UK. The cheese launched in September 2019 and has been a favourite ever since.
The cheese sold out 40% of stocking ASDA’s within the first day of release.
The Vegancheese.co review page said, ‘This is literally the best melted vegan cheese we have had. ‘
2. Violife Epic Mature
Violife is a popular favourite among vegans in the UK and is readily available in supermarkets. The Epic Mature block is the second favourite for the UK before their other flavours.
According to violife, it’s ‘deliciously crumbly, with protein and vitamin B12.’
3. Violife Original Cheddar
Another Violife flavour is the Original Cheddar, popular as the slices and regularly used in restaurant burgers and at home.
‘Pairs ideally with your sandwiches, melts to perfection in your toasty and adds a smoky twist to your late-night snack with a glass of red wine!’
4. Violife Greek White
In third place, Violife Greek White. This cheese is a take on the classic Greek feta with a base of coconut oil, creating a crumbly texture.
Violife suggests ‘toss in a crispy salad with olives and cherry tomatoes or melt into a Portobello mushroom for a delicious snack.‘
5. KOKO Cheddar
KOKO were the first company to make coconut-based dairy-free milk in 2010, which led to their vegan cheese, which is also from a coconut base. Spotted a theme? They love coconuts!
One consumer said, ‘I have tried lots of vegan cheese and had to throw them away. They were so bad, koko vegan cheese is amazing! Melts properly and tastes like cheese.’
6. Follow Your Heart Gouda
Follow your heart came sixth in the cheese awards. Their mission is to make more high-quality plant-based food that enhances the consumers’ lives.
The company suggests ‘Pair this Gouda with caramelized onions for a gourmet Panini or add it to mac n cheese for a sophisticated take on the American classic!’
7. Mexicana
Mexicana vegan cheese is blended with rehydrated red and green dried bell and jalapeño peppers and dried spice mix. It’s readily available in supermarkets in a block form or slices.
Someone commented on the Waitrose reviews’ Best melted on a vegan burger or in toasties. Lots of heat and flavour makes a good change from the ‘normal not very cheesy’ vegan option.’
8. Nourishh Camembert
This plant-based alternative is a take on camembert with coconut oil. It is popularly cooked in the oven and served with bread or crackers.
A review on Sainsbury’s groceries said, ‘This is the only vegan cheese to taste anything like dairy cheese, how did they do it, i still don’t believe it’s vegan.’
9. Tesco Garlic And Herb Soft Cheese
Tesco’s Free-From Garlic and soft herb cheese was the only soft cheese to make it o the awards top ten. The spreadable product is creamy and is packed with flavour.
One customer said, ‘I think the best review I can give this is that my non-vegan partner chooses this over dairy garlic and herb cream cheese.’
10. Violife Smoked Slices
Violife has made it to the top ten four times this year. Their smoked slices with a smoky hickory rind and smokey flavour are tenth.
Someone via Tesco commented, ‘I was really impressed with this, we had it in a toastie and also with burgers and it tasted fantastic!!’
Which vegan cheese alternative is your favourite?
