Have you ever gazed at vegan cheeses trying to decide which one melts the best on pizza, or which one your diners will enjoy on a cheese board?
If this sounds like you – then read on to find out more about the country’s best vegan cheeses. Vegan cheese makers have finally cracked the Holy Grail of plant-based cheese, including blue, feta and mozzarella cheeses. Once considered the domain of the dairy industry, Kiwi entrepreneurs have been working hard to create plant-based alternatives.
The judges at New Zealand’s first Vegan Cheese Awards, which were held at The Butcher’s Son, taste tested over 30 different local cheeses. Nine different categories of cheese were tasted and tested and given marks out of ten. These plant-based cheeses are made from ingredients such as cashew nuts, potato starch, coconut oil, macadamia nuts, even kumara and a variety of herbs and spices.
There is no cholesterol in plants, so those keen to preserve their health as well as the environment can finally eat their way safely into cheese heaven. Supermarkets know that vegan cheese is on the rise as they are seeing a 36 percent increase in plant-based foods.
The Vegan Society Aotearoa New Zealand is delighted to present their first award winners:
Mozzarella winner: Zenzo
Runner Up: Angel Food
Feta winners are joint: Angel Food and Let Them Eat Vegan
Runner Up: Savour
Cream Cheese winner: Angel Food
Runner Up: Grater Goods
Soft Cheese winner: Let Them Eat Vegan – Cheddar Spread
Runner Up: Treetops Foods – Sundried Tomato and Garlic
Hard Cheese winner: Treetops Food – Pepper Kick
Flavoured Cheese winner: Savour – Cumin Cheese
Runner Up: Savour – Chipotle Cheese
Surface Ripened winner: Moa – Blue Cheese
Runner Up: Savour – Cashbert
Commercial Cheddar winner: Zenzo
Runner Up: Zenzo – Smoky Paprika Cheese
The SUPREME winner was Let Them Eat Vegan with their Cheddar Spread.
The awards were judged by vegan comedian Tom Sainsbury, Food and Beverage Industry Judge Aaron Pucci, restaurant owners Mike Khuwattanasenee (Khu Khu) and Luke Burrows (Wise Boys) who had the tasks of awarding marks based on texture, appearance and flavour of the vegan cheeses.
They were particularly impressed with Angel Food’s Cream Cheese saying it was “Amazing on a bagel, spreadable, classic authentic cream cheese, wonderfully rich.”
Media spokesperson Claire Insley said: “Congratulations to all our winners and runners up, it’s clear that healthy, plant-based cheeses are ready to tackle the Kiwi palate. Our awards are showcasing the excellence in this niche, yet burgeoning market. These cheeses are healthy for you, healthy for our environment and kind to animals, when vegan cheese tastes this good, why settle for less?”
Read more about the award and winners https://www.vegansociety.org.nz/vegan-cheese-awards-winners/
