Violife cream cheese with garlic and herbs

© Violife

Violife UK Launches Plant-Based Cream Cheese With Garlic & Herbs

Violife, which claims to be the UK’s leading plant-based cheese brand, has launched a new version of its popular cream cheese alternative. The new flavour — Creamy With Garlic & Herbs — builds on the success of the brand’s original cream cheese, and has reportedly been formulated to be even creamier. The product is said to be ideal for picnics and barbecues, and can also be spread on bagels or mixed into sauces. The cream cheese is also free of all major allergens and is fortified with vitamin B12. According to Violife, the brand’s range generates less than half the carbon emissions of dairy cheese and requires two-thirds less land to produce. Developing easy swaps Violife offers a wide range of plant-based cheeses in the …

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Cathedral City alternative to soft cheese

© Cathedral City

Cathedral City Launches Plant-Based Soft Cheese Following Huge Success of Cheddar

Cathedral City, which claims to be the UK’s most popular cheese brand, has expanded its plant-based range with a new alternative to soft cheese. The spreadable cheese debuts in Spring Onion and Cracked Black Pepper flavour which is now available at up to 332 Tesco stores UK-wide. Cathedral City launched its first plant-based cheese — a cheddar alternative available in block, grated, and sliced formats — last September. The cheese proved hugely popular, with the block version winning a Great Taste Award. After its initial success at Tesco, the range rolled out at Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Ocado, and Amazon Fresh earlier this year. The products are reportedly seeing strong repeat sales, giving Cathedral City the third-highest volume market share. “Great quality and value” Cathedral City …

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Gluten-Free Vegan Mac and Cheese

©Eat Howl Inc.

Penguin Natural Foods Acquires Howl, Will Launch New Lineup of Plant-Based Mac and Cheeses

US plant-based foods company Eat Howl Inc. announces it is selling the Howl brand to Penguin Natural Foods, a leading manufacturer of innovative packaged foods. Eat Howl founders Chef Craig Thornton and Fred Michaels will stay on as advisors. Penguin also plans to release a new and improved lineup of Howl’s plant-based mac and cheese beginning in Summer 2023.  Through the acquisition, Penguin – which already manages most of Howl’s manufacturing – will take over the entire production process, including the production of the latter’s cashew sauce. According to Howl, this will improve the brand’s consistency and quality while accelerating innovation, and allow Penguin to sell private-label versions of Howl.  “We are excited to grow Howl into the premier plant-based brand that we know it …

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Vegan goat cheese by Les Nouveaux Affineurs

© Les Nouveaux Affineurs

Les Nouveaux Affineurs Presents La Bûche, a Gourmet Goat’s Cheese Likely to Ruffle Feathers in France

Paris-based Les Nouveaux Affineurs this week presents its new creation, La Bûche (“the log”), a veganized goat’s cheese created with fermented cashews. Founded in 2017 by Nour Akbaraly, and receiving a €2M cash injection in 2020, Les Nouveaux Affineurs says that it “imagines, creates, and produces natural, vegan & vegetable alternatives to cheese”. Its popular products are indistinguishable from their traditional counterparts, and during a blind-testing amongst the public, Parisians were shocked and amazed to learn that this cheese did not come from cows.  La Bûche is described by the French startup as a “ripened and fermented product handled with care for multiple weeks. Its delicate white crust and its soft center reveal notes that will remind you of goat cheese.” The product is crafted …

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Close up of woman eating Mommus Camembert

© Mommus Foods

Mommus Foods Inaugurates Facility to Supply Growing Demand for Vegan Cheese in Spain

Earlier this month, Spain’s Mommus Foods inaugurated a new factory that has the capacity to produce 100,000 units per month of plant-based cheese, stating it is expanding production in order to meet the growing demand for its award-winning artisan products.  Born in 2018 in the small town of Elche, Alicante; the startup’s star product, “this is not a camembert cheese” was named one of the ten best vegan cheese products in the world by abillion in 2020 and 2021. Its wide product portfolio includes vegan cheeses in original semi-cured, smoked, truffled, spicy, and pink pepper, as well as creamy savories in flavors such as sun-dried tomato and garlic, natural, and black garlic. Last September Mommus formed an alliance with Dacsa Group to bring its range …

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Premium plant-based Mozzarella cheese

©Vertage

Fresh Del Monte and Vertage Partner to Scale Healthy Foods, Including Premium Plant-Based Cheese

Fresh Del Monte, a leading global producer of fruits and vegetables, announces it is partnering with US chef-created food company Vertage to help scale the production and logistics of healthy plant-based foods, including dairy-free cheese.  Fresh Del Monte, which also invested in Vertage for an undisclosed amount, says the strategic partnership will provide commercial benefits for both companies.  As a new brand focused on making “uncompromising” products without animals, Vertage’s offerings include a line of premium dairy-free cheeses. Through the partnership, Fresh Del Monte will support Vertage’s growth by providing access to its production facilities, technology and logistics network.  In addition, Fresh Del Monte’s inland logistics company, which includes Tricont Trucking and Tricont Logistics, will give Vertage the ability to expand distribution by utilizing the …

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©Misha's

Misha’s Popular Non-Dairy Cheese Launches at Walmart, Beginning US National Expansion

Plant dairy company Misha’s announces it is launching at US Walmart stores, beginning the brand’s expansion into national retail chains. Several of Misha’s spreadable non-dairy cheeses are now available in Walmart in multiple states, including California, Utah, Nevada, Washington and Texas. According to Misha’s,  it is reimagining the dairy aisle with the “finest” dairy-free cheeses made with organic cashew milk, fresh herbs, vegetables and spices. Walmart will offer four of Misha’s spreadable cheese flavors: French Connection – Herbs de provence, grains de paradise, black olives Smoked Cheddar – Smoked paprika, chipotle Sari – Sundried tomatoes, roasted garlic, cilantro Black Truffle – Black truffle, shallots The brand notes its products are made using the same methods as traditional cheese, but without any dairy ingredients. Founded by friends …

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New Roots Soft White cheese

© New Roots

What’s More Sustainable, Dairy From the Cashew or the Cow?

Much has been said around the issue of sustainability in plant milks, with almond milk in particular having notoriety and receiving a plethora of bad press including a well-documented Guardian piece from 2020. However, almond is said to cause the least C02 emissions. It’s a complicated issue. Those milks seen as more beneficial, or indeed least detrimental to the environment, include soy, oat, and pea. But what about the cashew? Highly nutritious despite their high calorie content, this drupe (a stone fruit) offers a good source of magnesium as well as the amino acid tryptophan, a precursor to serotonin. In terms of sustainability, the cashew requires little water usage and emits fewer greenhouse gases than some other alternatives. Also, their surrounding fruit can be upcycled …

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Faster melting vegan American cheese

©Violife Professional

Violife Professional Debuts “Easy Melt” American Slices for Faster Melting Vegan Cheese

Violife Professional, the food service arm of Violife, announces it is launching Violife Just Like American Slices Easy Melt. Available to food service establishments, the product offers a more quickly melting cheese for menu applications like burgers, sandwiches and wraps. Violife Professional will showcase its dairy-free cheese portfolio at the upcoming National Restaurant Show, being held May 20 – 23 in Chicago.  The new Easy Melt cheese comes pre-sliced and can be used in hot and grilled food as well as cold sandwiches, trays and buffets. Made with coconut oil, the product is free from gluten, soy, nuts, lactose, and GMOs, and offers an “excellent” source of Vitamin B12.  As a new fast-melting cheese option, the Easy Melt slices are available for use in restaurants, …

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Real Vegan Mozzarella Cheese

©New Culture

New Culture Partners with Chef Nancy Silverton to Launch “Revolutionary” Animal-Free Mozzarella in 2024

Precision fermentation startup New Culture announces it is partnering with iconic chef and restauranteur Nancy Silverton to launch its first product – animal-free mozzarella – in Silverton’s acclaimed Pizzeria Mozza restaurant in 2024. New Culture says the debut will mark a significant milestone in making its animal-free dairy cheese available to consumers.  As the co-owner of the renowned Mozza Restaurant Group, Silverton is known for her focus on high-quality pizza crust and premium mozzarella cheese.  According to New Culture, its product is the first animal-free cheese to meet Silverton’s high standards and be offered on the meny at any of her restaurants. The launch will feature two new pizzas: A traditional Margherita and a caponata pizza with eggplant, tomato confit, pickled onions and caperberries.  New Culture …

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Violife CMO Brian Orlando

Brian Orlando/ Image supplied by Violife

Violife USA: “Our Goal Has Always Been to Bring Great Taste and Outstanding Performance to the Vegan and Dairy-Free Category”

When Violife entered the US market from Europe in 2015, the dairy-free cheese category was still struggling to win over consumers, who rejected the unappealing taste, texture and performance of most vegan cheese products. Initially starting as a small import business, Violife eventually expanded into thousands of US retail locations and launched a range of innovative dairy-free cheeses, from standard Mozzarella and Cheddar to a Parmesan wedge, cream cheese, Colby Jack and Halloumi-style grilling cheese.  Made with clean-label ingredients, the brand skyrocketed in popularity and began to feature in major food service partnerships with chains like Papa Murphy’s pizza, Caribou Coffee and Peet’s Coffee.  As Violife continues to expand its portfolio and reach, in 2023 the company is replacing its slogan “100% Plant Based” with …

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Plant-Based White Cheddar Cheese

©Bel Brands USA

Babybel Expands US Dairy-Free Portfolio with Plant-Based White Cheddar

Following the huge success of Babybel’s first non-dairy cheese, Babybel Plant-Based, in 2022, the company announces it is expanding its dairy-free portfolio with Babybel Plant-Based White Cheddar. Set to launch in US retailers in May, the new variety is based on one of Babybel’s most popular dairy cheeses, Mini Babybel White Cheddar. Unlike the brand’s first dairy-free offering, which tasted mozzarella-like, Babybel says the new product features the sharp tanginess of traditional cheddar cheese.  Available in six-count pouches, the new variety is certified vegan, and offers a good source of Vitamin B12 and calcium. Like all Babybel snacks, the Plant-Based White Cheddar will also come individually wrapped in the brand’s signature wax – this time colored green – and is packaged in a 100% paper …

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Artisan vegan cheese

© Honestly Tasty

Artisan Vegan Cheeses by Honestly Tasty Launch at 166 M&S Stores UK-Wide

Honestly Tasty, an artisan vegan cheese brand based in London, UK, has announced that it is launching at Marks & Spencer stores nationwide. The brand’s three bestselling products — Blue, Shamembert, and Brie — will be available at 166 M&S locations in the mainland UK, Belfast, and Dublin. It follows a highly successful launch at online supermarket Ocado. Honestly Tasty has also been adapting its production process to bring down prices, making the cheeses accessible to more consumers. More product launches and revised recipes — including lower-emission and allergen-free products — are planned in the coming months. Novel technique Honestly Tasty’s award-winning cheeses are made using a novel technique that combines starch and hydrocolloid technology with traditional cheese-making techniques. Some of the products are aged …

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Aqua Cultured + Sodexo

©Kezia/ Aqua Cultured

7 Exciting Startups Proving Chicago is the Next Major Hub of Alt Protein

While California is often considered the center of the alt protein universe, where many top companies are headquartered and countless startups emerge, new hubs of bold food innovation are taking hold in diverse cities and regions across America. Vegconomist will spotlight these growing centers of animal-free food tech, beginning with the third most populous US city, Chicago. Located in America’s Midwest, Chicago is famously known as the historic center of the nation’s meatpacking industry. It is highly fitting, therefore, that multiple alt-protein brands and startups have chosen Chicago as their home, as they endeavor to reinvent the animal protein that long defined the city with new ingredients and 21st century technology. Here are some of the most exciting names changing the world from the Windy …

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Evandro Oliveira de Souza, Senior Global Business Unit Director Cheese at DSM

Evandro Oliveira de Souza, Senior Global Business Unit Director Cheese at DSM, image supplied

Overcoming Challenges to Optimize Plant-Based Cheese Alternatives

In this guest post, Evandro Oliveira de Souza, Senior Global Business Unit Director Cheese at DSM, offers his unique insights into the vegan cheese category, discussing its challenges and how they can be overcome. Plant-based milk and meat alternatives have proved hugely popular around the world, but plant-based cheese is yet to enjoy widespread, global appeal as formulation challenges have prevented brands from achieving the full sensory experience that consumers desire. When flexitarian consumers can have the ‘real deal’ anytime they wish, plant-based cheese alternatives need to accurately mimic the robust, complex flavors and distinctive, comforting textures that make cheese a classic comfort food. A flexitarian future The global market for plant-based dairy alternatives reached a remarkable €18 billion in 2022.[1] Up-and-coming categories, like vegan …

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