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| 'Cheese' Table at Vegan 'Cheese' & Vegan Wine Tasting |
Not long ago, the Blogger attended a ticketed Vegan 'Cheese' and Wine Tasting Event* in London.
It was the blogger's first experience of such an event. And it turned out to be a lovely occasion.
The tables, though crowded, were beautifully laid out. The blogger's table companions, some strangers to one another, were normal professional people, friendly and non-judgemental.
Not a bad way to spend a Saturday night. And a good and enjoyable way to explore various vegan cheeses currently on the market.
The event was part of 67goingon50's research into alternatives to dairy cheeses, which are often off-limits or recommended in small quantities only for people with cholesterol or other health issues. The vegan wines were a bonus. (wine report follows cheese comments)
The vegan cheeses for tasting were nut-based, using mainly cashews but also almonds, and fermented in ways similar to dairy cheese.
Vegan 'Cheeses' from four producers were included: three English and one Swiss. Their names reflect the insouciance and idealism of the young entrepreneurs.
- I am Nut, OK
- Kinda Co
- Mouse's Favourite
- New Roots
I am Nut, OK
An ash covered spreadable creamy 'cheese' was surprisingly good; it had a lovely texture and mouth feel. This one, the Blogger went back to again and again.
Verdict: definitely one the Blogger would buy.
Kinda Co
An ash covered spreadable creamy 'cheese' was surprisingly good; it had a lovely texture and mouth feel. This one, the Blogger went back to again and again.
Verdict: definitely one the Blogger would buy.
Kinda Co
1. Farmhouse
Everyone at the table liked this one. It was a good mouthful, very agreeable, smooth with good flavour. But it wasn't like the hard cheese it pretended to be and the cheesiness was underpowered. In fact, it reminded the Blogger of the tubes of Mushroom pate which appeared in health food shops during the vegetarian boom 20+ years ago.
Verdict: Yes, a cheese lover could live with this until some real cheese was allowed.
2. Greek-style feta.
Pallid flavour & a too gelatinous for the Blogger
Verdict: took one bite and set it aside
3. Paprika
Tasted of paprika and not much else.
Verdict: No thanks
Note: Two popular Kinda cheeses - Garlic & Herb Round and Basil Pesto - which my vegan tablemates were looking forward to, were not on the table. They were both sold out on the website
New Roots
Softer, creamier cheeses
1. Herb de Province, marked 5-stars on the blog
Better consistency; more cheese-like
Verdict: give this one a go
2. 'Ricotta Goat's Cheese' in Thyme & Lavender
Interesting.
Verdict: liked the cheese but not keen on lavender and wouldn't buy it
Note: New Roots Camembert won a Swiss Vegan Award in 2017
Mouse's Favourite
Camembert.
Not impressed.
Verdict: No, but some of the creamy cashew Philadelphia-type cream cheeses, suitable for bagels, look interesting. They are out of stock on the website.
Moko's Camembert
A surprise cheese! Moko, the organiser, made her own camembert from blog Kinda State of Mind run by Kinda Co
Served hot, it had a lovely melting texture with a kick of garlic
Verdict: Very pleasant; might buy it as a party piece
Obviously the vegan cheese industry is still in its pioneering stages and the variable quality and 'cheesiness' are to be expected.
As are the high prices, which range from £6 to £11 for not generous portions. (Cheeses made of coconut oil are much cheaper but not recommended due to high levels of saturated fat.)
Apart from a few of the cheeses (noted above) most were disappointing - but the Blogger speaks as a Flexitarian used to the creaminess of dairy. 67's vegan stablemates had no problem clearing the table.
The biggest problem for vegan cheese producers at this stage is that the 'cheeses' do a good job of replicating the look and shape of dairy cheese but many disappoint in flavour and texture.
All power to the producers, however. In the not-too-distant future, 67 suspects some pretty decent nutty 'cheeses' will be developed. For now, nut cheeses are expensive and a bit hit-and-miss.
Websites :
Vegan Wines
The vegan 'cheeses' were matched with Vegan wine.
The Blog does not in any way set itself up as an authority on wine - in fact the Blogger seldom drinks wine. To find three of the wines very enjoyable was a terrific surprise. The Blogger would be happy to buy and serve these:
Verdict: Yes, a cheese lover could live with this until some real cheese was allowed.
2. Greek-style feta.
Pallid flavour & a too gelatinous for the Blogger
Verdict: took one bite and set it aside
3. Paprika
Tasted of paprika and not much else.
Verdict: No thanks
Note: Two popular Kinda cheeses - Garlic & Herb Round and Basil Pesto - which my vegan tablemates were looking forward to, were not on the table. They were both sold out on the website
New Roots
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| Herb de Province |
Softer, creamier cheeses
1. Herb de Province, marked 5-stars on the blog
Better consistency; more cheese-like
Verdict: give this one a go
2. 'Ricotta Goat's Cheese' in Thyme & Lavender
Interesting.
Verdict: liked the cheese but not keen on lavender and wouldn't buy it
Note: New Roots Camembert won a Swiss Vegan Award in 2017
Mouse's Favourite
Camembert.
Not impressed.
Verdict: No, but some of the creamy cashew Philadelphia-type cream cheeses, suitable for bagels, look interesting. They are out of stock on the website.
Moko's Camembert
A surprise cheese! Moko, the organiser, made her own camembert from blog Kinda State of Mind run by Kinda Co
Served hot, it had a lovely melting texture with a kick of garlic
Verdict: Very pleasant; might buy it as a party piece
CONCLUSION:
As are the high prices, which range from £6 to £11 for not generous portions. (Cheeses made of coconut oil are much cheaper but not recommended due to high levels of saturated fat.)
Apart from a few of the cheeses (noted above) most were disappointing - but the Blogger speaks as a Flexitarian used to the creaminess of dairy. 67's vegan stablemates had no problem clearing the table.
The biggest problem for vegan cheese producers at this stage is that the 'cheeses' do a good job of replicating the look and shape of dairy cheese but many disappoint in flavour and texture.
All power to the producers, however. In the not-too-distant future, 67 suspects some pretty decent nutty 'cheeses' will be developed. For now, nut cheeses are expensive and a bit hit-and-miss.
Websites :
Vegan Wines
The vegan 'cheeses' were matched with Vegan wine.
The Blog does not in any way set itself up as an authority on wine - in fact the Blogger seldom drinks wine. To find three of the wines very enjoyable was a terrific surprise. The Blogger would be happy to buy and serve these:
- Aldi Cremate du Jur 2015 - a sparkling champagne-like wine, creamy, with delicious undertones of apple. £7.99 a bottle!
- Unfiltered Dog, a Chardonnay - Organic; no sulphur; lovely and smooth with no metallic or acidic undertones.
- Paolo Leo Primitivo, Mandurea 2016 - like a port, sultry but 'clean'
The two other wines were, to the Blogger's taste, remarkably smooth and fresh tasting but not to the Blogger's taste. Everyone else at the table liked them, though!
- Woodstock Little Mers Collett Moscato 2015 - Australian: pale, interesting and refreshing with a tiny 'bite'
- Incenta pinot Noir - very smooth
*Moko runs vegan food events including afternoon tea
Contact her at <info@tencablestreet.com
B Lee/Bright Sun Enterprises accept no liability for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided.
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