Why Plant-Based Cheese Is A Struggle. And How To Overcome It! | Edlong (2024)

One of the biggest challenges with which food developers struggle is cheese. The world loves cheese, and we’re eating more of it. In 2020, the number of new cheese launches on the market increased to meet demand by 11% globally over 2019, according to Mintel’s The Future of Cheese: 2021 report. Especially in the US market among younger generations, demand for plant-based cheese continues to grow with 59% of adults aged 25-34 living in a household which consumes dairy alternatives.

But replacing animal-based cheese with plant-based is notoriously difficult. In another recent study, only 26% of plant-based purchasers and 11% of non-purchasers felt the plant-based cheese version was better than the original.

“In 2020, the number of new cheese launches on the market increased to meet demand by 11% globally over 2019.”

Animal-based cheese is hard to replicate because of its complexity, said Julie Drainville, Sensory Manager, for Edlong. “You have different matrices that make up the base for a plant-based cheese. They play a big role in the texture, so you’re trying to balance getting the texture right while minimizing off-notes,” Drainville said. That is exactly where our nearly 300 plant-based flavors and over a century of dairy taste expertise become essential to creating authentic-tasting plant-based cheeses.

Cheddar cheese, for example, is made from milk. The culturing and ripening process of natural cheddar cheese breaks down protein and fat over time, imparting a rich, complex product, she explained. A plant-based cheese will not have the calcium or protein levels of traditional or dairy-based cheese, so when proteins, such as pea, rice, or soy are added, they will alter the product’s taste or functionality.

Why Plant-Based Cheese Is A Struggle. And How To Overcome It! | Edlong (1)

That’s why manufacturers have to go back to make sure the end formula meets their quality expectations and any label claims they are trying to meet. “As formulations are created, it is crucial to get the correct ratio of essential ingredients to optimize your product based on the manufacturer’s targets,” Drainville added.

The Evolution of Plant-Based Cheese

As the plant-based food industry evolves, it can be difficult for food manufacturers to stay current on developments. “Soy protein has been around for nearly 60 years. Manufacturers are used to working with it. But newer proteins—pea, oat, rice, blends of protein, maybe algae or nut-based—present a new challenge and you can’t follow the rules of the previous protein. Even something as basic as fats—the difference between coconut and palm oil—changes how it works in your mouth.” Working with a flavor company that stays on top of the latest plant-based cheese trends can help you stay ahead of the curve without needing to take time out of your own day to research trends.

With 29% of US cheese consumers saying that ‘bolder flavors’ are an important driver when choosing cheese, it is crucial for plant-based cheese producers to create products that have bold, natural, balanced and authentic taste profiles as well as that real-dairy mouthfeel and texture – without the dairy.

Ready to learn more about how to overcome plant-based cheese challenges in your product? Make sure todownload our full Filling the Plant-Based Food Plate e-bookand, when you’re ready,reach out to our experts at Edlongto leverage their expertise in creating delicious plant-based products.

Topics: Cheese flavorsDairy-freePlant-BasedVegan
Resource Type: Article

Why Plant-Based Cheese Is A Struggle. And How To Overcome It! | Edlong (2024)

FAQs

Why is it hard to make vegan cheese? ›

But animal cheese can also do something that is difficult to replicate using plant-based ingredients – stretch as it melts. What makes animal cheese go gooey and bubbly when grilled is a protein found in cow's milk called casein. So far, no one has found a vegan alternative.

Is plant-based cheese better for the environment? ›

Impact of dairy-free cheese

As the table shows, dairy cheese produces significantly higher output of greenhouse gas and eutrophying emissions than dairy-free cheese does, and it requires far more land and water.

What is the future of plant-based cheese? ›

Ltd. NEWARK, Del, Feb. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The plant-based cheese market is predicted to be valued at US$ 3,068 million in 2024. The market for plant-based cheese is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.2% between 2024 and 2034 to reach a value of US$ 9,658 million.

How is cheese plant-based? ›

What Ingredients Are in Vegan Cheese? Vegan cheeses are 100% animal-free and made using vegetable proteins. Usually, they're made from soy; nuts, such as cashews and macadamias; and vegetable oils, such as coconut oil. You can also find cheeses that derive from agar, tapioca, peas and arrowroot.

How unhealthy is vegan cheese? ›

Most vegan cheese is not healthy at all.

This is because most vegan cheeses are very high in saturated fat and contain little or no protein.

Will vegan cheese ever taste like real cheese? ›

It's important to understand that vegan cheese, being made with different ingredients, typically does not taste exactly like traditional dairy cheese. However, it does replicate some of the flavors and textures that you might remember from dairy cheese and tastes great in its own right.

Is plant-based cheese easier to digest? ›

Vegan cheeses with probiotics can offer several potential benefits, including: Improved digestion: The probiotics in vegan cheeses can help improve digestive function and promote healthy gut flora, reducing symptoms of bloating, gas, and constipation.

What is the difference between vegan cheese and plant-based cheese? ›

Vegan cheese, which is alternately referred to as dairy-free cheese or plant-based cheese, is a product that mimics some of the properties of cheese. These include its texture, its flavor, and to some extent its melting ability, even though vegan cheese is made without using any animal-based ingredients whatsoever.

Is plant-based really more sustainable? ›

Plant-based diets in comparison to diets rich in animal products are more sustainable because they use many fewer natural resources and are less taxing on the environment.

Is plant-based cheese expensive? ›

Cost: Vegan cheese can be more expensive than traditional cheese made from animal milk, which may not be feasible for everyone. Taste and texture: While vegan cheese can be a great substitute for traditional cheese, it may not have the same taste or texture, which can be a drawback for some individuals.

Is plant-based cheese inflammatory? ›

Is vegan cheese inflammatory? The vegan cheeses produced on a large scale that we are most likely to find in grocery stores are processed foods. As is the case with all processed foods, they can cause some inflammation in some consumers.

How long can plant-based cheese be left out? ›

How Long Can Refrigerated Vegan Cheese Be Left Out. If you have vegan cheese which needs to be kept cool, hence refrigeration is required, we would recommend not having it out more than a few hours.

Why eat plant-based cheese? ›

One of the main benefits of vegan cheese is its lack of natural cholesterol, which comes mostly from animal products, especially animal fats.

Is plant-based cheese nice? ›

Vegan cheese is not only yummy but also cholesterol-free and usually lower in fat than cheese made from the milk of mother cows, sheep, or goats. And best of all – buying vegan cheese doesn't support the cruelty of the dairy industry.

Why are cheese plants so expensive? ›

The variegated Monstera produces less chlorophyll, which causes the plant to photosynthesize less as well. There is a great deal of difficulty and skill to growing this plant, which in turn makes it extremely rare. There are 5 main varieties of variegated Monstera: Monstera deliciosa 'Albo Borsigiana'

Why can't vegan cheese be called cheese? ›

Labeling of vegan cheese, like other vegan dairy analogues, is controversial, with dairy industry groups pushing to prohibit the use of terms like "cheese" on non-dairy products. Labeling purely plant-based products as "cheese" is prohibited in the European Union and the United Kingdom.

Why is vegan cheese hard to melt? ›

Instead, it tends to break down a little bit, but without the stretchy ooze that makes dairy-based cheeses so appealing on pizzas, sandwiches, and more (via The Takeout). As explained by WIRED, casein, which is found in the milk of all animals but nowhere else, is responsible for real cheese's meltiness.

Is vegan cheese too processed? ›

Most vegan cheeses are processed: Some plant-based cheeses are highly processed, which means they contain preservatives, color additives and sodium. If you do opt for vegan cheese, browse the brands that boast simple, straightforward ingredients.

Is vegan cheese inflammatory? ›

Is vegan cheese inflammatory? The vegan cheeses produced on a large scale that we are most likely to find in grocery stores are processed foods. As is the case with all processed foods, they can cause some inflammation in some consumers.

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