Veggie lovers rejoice! Your favorite veggie dip is about to get even better. Velveeta, the world’s leading brand of cheese alternatives has announced they will be unveiling a new line of plant-based products that taste like real cheese. But don’t expect any cheap imitations. The new Veggie Veals, Wensleydale, and Asiago Tofu Cheeses are made with natural cashew milk, which gives them a rich creamy consistency and signature tangy nut smell. The new line of plant-based cheeses will be available nationwide in January 2020 through leading grocery chains, including Walmart, Meijer, Kroger, and Whole Foods Market. If you’re wondering if this is some kind of sick April Fool’s joke . . . well it’s not. The dairy industry has been plagued by scandals over the past few years from fake milk powder to fecal contamination in their cow feed supply chain. It seems only logical that an alternative protein supplier would take advantage of these troubled times for a little bit of publicity. What do you think? Is Velveeta Real Cheese?
Is Velveeta Real Cheese?
Yes, Velveeta cheese is real cheese. Velveeta cheese was developed in 1941 by Alfredo Maria Jacinto and Maria Teresa Lacorte at the General Foods Corporation in Lynch, Nebraska, USA. It is produced by mixing vegetable oil and powdered proteins and mashing them into a dough. The dough is then shaped into blocks and dried, which results in a cheese product that is water-repellent, rubbery, stretchy, and thin. It has a smooth interior with a layered exterior.
The Science Behind Plant-Based Cheeses
1. Daiya: An Easy Switch to Vegan Cheese
Daiya is one of the most popular plant-based cheeses on the market. It is available in a variety of flavors, including cheddar, pepper jack, and Italian. While it is technically a vegan cheese, it is not made with soy, so it is suitable for those who are soy-free. Daiya can be used on sandwiches, in mac and cheese, or in other recipes that call for traditional cheese. Unlike many of the other vegan cheeses, it is suitable for use in mac and cheese because it has a slightly higher melting point, and because it has a garage, a naturally occurring enzyme that adds a slight tang to mac and cheese.
2. Miyoko’s Cheese: A Taste of Tradition
Miyoko’s is the most widely available vegan cheese on the market. It is available in American-style ricotta, tofu ricotta, and cottage cheese varieties. Like Daiya and some of the other vegan cheeses, it is not soy-based, so it is suitable for those who are soy-free. It is also widely available and has a long track record of being a reliable brand. Ricotta and tofu ricotta are great options for vegan cheese eaters who enjoy the taste and texture of dairy-based cheese but prefer the benefits of a plant-based diet. Miyoko’s tofu ricotta has a slightly sweet, mild taste and is great in lasagna and pasta dishes. It also makes a great vegan alternative to traditional ricotta cheese.
3. Tofutti: A Soft Scramble for Breakfast
Tofutti is a vegan tofu-based cheese product that is available in plain and garlic varieties. While it can be used in many recipes, it is most commonly used in scrambled tofu or tofu scrambler recipes. Tofutti is a soft tofu-based cheese similar to cream cheese in texture. It is available in a variety of flavors and is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. It is also suitable for those who are dairy-free because it is soy-free. Unlike many other vegan kinds of cheese, tofu is a good source of protein and calcium. Some people use it as a low-fat protein or calcium-enriched alternative to dairy cream cheese in recipes. In addition, tofu is low in calories and sodium, making it a healthier choice for anyone trying to maintain a healthy diet.
4. Vegan Gouda: A Soft and Cheesy Alternative
Vegan Gouda is a vegan cheese product that is made from soy milk and tofu. It is available in a variety of flavors, including cheddar, pepper jack, and Swiss cheese. Like tofu ricotta, it is also suitable for those who are dairy-free because it is soy-free. It is also available in a variety of flavors, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a vegan cheese alternative. Vegan Gouda has a slightly harder texture than some of the other vegan cheeses, but it still has a soft and cheesy flavor. It can be used in many recipes that call for traditional cheese, such as macaroni and cheese and grilled cheese sandwiches.
5. Vegan Cheese: A Comprehensive Guide
There are a variety of vegan cheese products available on the market, each with its unique benefits and drawbacks. This article will provide a comprehensive guide to the different types of vegan cheese available, as well as tips for choosing the best vegan cheese for your specific needs.
The Vegan Cheeses Of The Future
1. Tofutti: A Soft Scramble For Breakfast
Tofutti is a vegan tofu-based cheese product that is available in plain and garlic varieties. While it can be used in many recipes, it is most commonly used in scrambled tofu or tofu scrambler recipes. Tofutti is a soft tofu-based cheese similar to cream cheese in texture. It is available in a variety of flavors and is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. It is also suitable for those who are dairy-free because it is soy-free.
2. Vegan Gouda: A Soft And Cheesy Alternative
Vegan Gouda is a vegan cheese product that is made from soy milk and tofu. It is available in a variety of flavors, including cheddar, pepper jack, and Swiss cheese. Like tofu ricotta, it is also suitable for those who are dairy-free because it is soy-free. It is also available in a variety of flavors, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a vegan cheese alternative. Vegan Gouda has a slightly harder texture than some of the other vegan cheeses, but it still has a soft and cheesy flavor. It can be used in many recipes that call for traditional cheese, such as macaroni and cheese and grilled cheese sandwiches.
3. Vegan Cream Cheese: A Soft And Spreadable Alternative
Vegan cream cheese is made from soy milk and tofu. It is available in a variety of flavors, including plain, garlic, and smoked gouda varieties. Like vegan cheese alternatives made from other types of plant-based milk, vegan cream cheese is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. It is also suitable for those who are dairy-free because it is soy-free. Vegan cream cheese can be used in many recipes that call for traditional cream cheese, such as macaroni and cheese and grilled cheese sandwiches.
4. A Thick And Creamy Alternative
Vegan cottage cheese is made from soy milk, tofu, and seasonings. It is available in a variety of flavors, including plain, garlic, and smoked gouda varieties. Like vegan cream cheese, vegan cottage cheese is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. It is also suitable for those who are dairy-free because it is soy-free. Vegan cottage cheese can be used in many recipes that call for traditional cottage cheese, such as macaroni and cheese and grilled cheese sandwiches.
5. A Thick And Cheesy Alternative
Vegan ricotta is made from soy milk, tofu, and seasonings. It is available in a variety of flavors, including plain, garlic, and smoked gouda varieties. Like vegan cream cheese and vegan cottage cheese, vegan ricotta is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. It is also suitable for those who are dairy-free because it is soy-free. Vegan ricotta can be used in many recipes that call for traditional ricotta, such as macaroni and cheese and grilled cheese sandwiches.
Why The New Veggie Velveeta And Wensleydale Tofu Cheeses Are A Good Thing
- The new Veggie Velveeta and Wensleydale Tofu Cheeses are vegan and made from soy milk, tofu, and potato starch.
- The new Veggie Velveeta and Wensleydale Tofu Cheeses are available in three flavors–plain, garlic, and smoked gouda–and in two forms–soft and spreadable or thick and creamy.
- The new Veggie Velveeta and Wensleydale Tofu Cheeses have a slightly harder texture than some of the other vegan cheeses, but they still have a soft and cheesy flavor. They can be used in many recipes that call for traditional cheese, such as macaroni and cheese and grilled cheese sandwiches.
- The new Veggie Velveeta and Wensleydale Tofu Cheeses are made from plant-based ingredients, so they are environmentally friendly.
- The new Veggie Velveeta and Wensleydale Tofu Cheeses are available in most grocery stores.
Bottom Line
The bottom line is that there’s a place for both vegan and vegetarian cheese out there. And while Velveeta will always be a dairy product, the new Veggie Velveeta and Wensleydale Tofu Cheeses taste fantastic and have a rich creamy consistency and a tangy nut smell that will satisfy even the most discerning cheese lovers. Velveeta Real Cheese? The debate continues.
