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Vegan cheese has quietly but steadily infiltrated mainstream supermarket shelves

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Re: Vegan cheese has quietly but steadily infiltrated mainstream supermarket shelves

#41
There has been countless times when I've reached for some cheese on the shelf and then finally noticed the words "cheese product" on the packaging and realize that I didn't actually grab what I intended to... so I put it back and look for one with the correct labeling.

So perhaps deceptive marketing/packaging is how it's gaining in sales?

Re: Vegan cheese has quietly but steadily infiltrated mainstream supermarket shelves

#42

There's something unexpected about this aspect of veganism, which is often embraced by those wanting to lead a healthier lifestyle, resulting in the development of more and more advanced food processing technologies designed to synthesize the experience of foods being excluded from the diet. Basically, in the quest to return to a more healthy, natural diet, some folks end up moving to foods that are more and more pro…

I eat them because dairy cheese triggers my autoimmune condition. They are a god send tbh

Re: Vegan cheese has quietly but steadily infiltrated mainstream supermarket shelves

#43

There's something unexpected about this aspect of veganism, which is often embraced by those wanting to lead a healthier lifestyle, resulting in the development of more and more advanced food processing technologies designed to synthesize the experience of foods being excluded from the diet. Basically, in the quest to return to a more healthy, natural diet, some folks end up moving to foods that are more and more pro…

There are ethical vegans and health vegans. The distinction can matter and it's unfortunate, but not unexpected, how much people from both camps deal with the contradictions involved between the 2.

I think critiques about what's required to make substitutes is warranted and good for the industry. I also think that increased sales and attention will drive these products towards much better versions in all aspects. So let me thank all the non-vegetarian/vegans who are willing to dabble in these foods once in a while. I truly appreciate any contribution to the reduction of meat intake, regardless of the motivation.

Re: Vegan cheese has quietly but steadily infiltrated mainstream supermarket shelves

#44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

(partner is also vegan) - Miyoko Garlic Herb is the only one I've ever had that is "good" in my opinion. It's definitely not cheese, but as a picnic cheese/crackers situation I actually might like it more than a cheese version.

Miyako’s Mozzarella is good enough.

> [...] is good enough

There is no such thing when it comes to cheese. Cheese is love, cheese is life.

Re: Vegan cheese has quietly but steadily infiltrated mainstream supermarket shelves

#45
post #2

> Vegan Cheese Is Ready to Compete With Dairy. Is the World Ready to Eat It? I’m vegetarian and my partner is vegan - I’ve tried every vegan cheese on the shelf. The answer is no because it’s not even close to ready. It might pass an initial taste test where you say, that’s not so bad, but then you pick up on all the things it’s missing. Sometimes the aftertaste is terrible, sometimes the texture or versatility. Mayb…

Wanted to make pizza with my two year old daughter a couple of weeks ago. Picked up some mozzarella at the store and when I went to use it noticed the well hidden plant logo and "plant based" text that was almost the same color as the packaging. Figured I'd give it a shot. It was inedible, completely ruined the pizza. My daughter took a bite and said "no, dad" I agreed and we threw it away and got a happy meal.

I figure once everyone gets fooled once like I have it will stop selling.

Re: Vegan cheese has quietly but steadily infiltrated mainstream supermarket shelves

#46

There's something unexpected about this aspect of veganism, which is often embraced by those wanting to lead a healthier lifestyle, resulting in the development of more and more advanced food processing technologies designed to synthesize the experience of foods being excluded from the diet. Basically, in the quest to return to a more healthy, natural diet, some folks end up moving to foods that are more and more pro…

As with anything, all people have different priorities. Some people prioritize taste in their food. Some health. Some ethics. Though usually it’s some combination of many different priorities. Indeed there are different types of Vegans as well, who don’t like to eat processed foods.

I’d guess that most people would prefer to eat less pre-processed food. But most people are all too busy and stressed that they don’t have time to grow their own crops, process our their food, cook meals by hand, AND make lots of money working a full time job selling insurance or whatever. And of course, much of this preprocessing makes food deliberately tastier and store longer, so there are clear benefits. So I’d guess most people are just balancing their food priorities among their needs to, say, interact in society and eat a living while staying full and healthy.

Disclaimer: I am not a vegan

Re: Vegan cheese has quietly but steadily infiltrated mainstream supermarket shelves

#47
post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Which brands have you tried? More than I could possibly recall. Violife, chao, follow your heart, miyokos, daiya, parmellas, go veggie, kite hill, Trader Joe’s brand > For some kinds of cheese, people actually find them indistinguishable from the classic dairy versions Not a chance that I believe this. Maybe as a minor ingredient in a larger meal but certainly not as a main ingredient or on its own.

Agree. However a homemade “cashew cheese” (flavor from nutritional yeast, cayenne, and turmeric) can be yummier than cheese, if not totally realistic. Why the store brands can’t meet that quality I don’t know.

Cashew cheese is so freaking food. It's got the perfect texture for nacho cheese dip and buffalo chicken dip. I honestly think it's better than dairy as the base for creamy soups.

Re: Vegan cheese has quietly but steadily infiltrated mainstream supermarket shelves

#48
post #33

There's something unexpected about this aspect of veganism, which is often embraced by those wanting to lead a healthier lifestyle, resulting in the development of more and more advanced food processing technologies designed to synthesize the experience of foods being excluded from the diet. Basically, in the quest to return to a more healthy, natural diet, some folks end up moving to foods that are more and more pro…

> There's something unexpected about this aspect of veganism, which is often embraced by those wanting to lead a healthier lifestyle ... I'm not sure what you base this statement on. There are many people whose initial motivations for going vegan were ethical, either to avoid funding animal abuse, environmental degradation, or both. That was why I went vegan 23.5 years ago, and why I'm still vegan. I eat mock meat an…

That's why I said "often embraced", not "always embraced". :)

I certainly am not so arrogant as to believe I understand why each and every person eating a vegan diet has made that choice.

However, I don't think it's at all unreasonable to claim that a non-trivial number of people make the switch for health reasons, and that these plant-based substitutes are marketed based on claimed health benefits.

Re: Vegan cheese has quietly but steadily infiltrated mainstream supermarket shelves

#49
post #2

> Vegan Cheese Is Ready to Compete With Dairy. Is the World Ready to Eat It? I’m vegetarian and my partner is vegan - I’ve tried every vegan cheese on the shelf. The answer is no because it’s not even close to ready. It might pass an initial taste test where you say, that’s not so bad, but then you pick up on all the things it’s missing. Sometimes the aftertaste is terrible, sometimes the texture or versatility. Mayb…

In Minneapolis, MN the Herbivorous Butcher makes vegan cheeses that are better than normal cheese. Unfortunately they also are expensive.

Re: Vegan cheese has quietly but steadily infiltrated mainstream supermarket shelves

#50

There's something unexpected about this aspect of veganism, which is often embraced by those wanting to lead a healthier lifestyle, resulting in the development of more and more advanced food processing technologies designed to synthesize the experience of foods being excluded from the diet. Basically, in the quest to return to a more healthy, natural diet, some folks end up moving to foods that are more and more pro…

In my experience, the vast majority of people go vegan out of concern for animals, and not primarily because they want to be more healthy.

Doing a quick search seems to support that, but perhaps the trends / reasons are changing as veganism in general becomes more mainstream.

https://vomadlife.com/blogs/news/why-people-go-vegan-2019-gl...

https://vomadlife.com/blogs/news/why-people-go-vegan-2019-gl...

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