"I would go vegan except for cheese".
I have heard this said many times, and I have three responses to this. My first is: "well then go vegan except for the cheese"!
This idea that you have to be all or nothing is not helpful. It's so much better to eat mostly plant-based, and have the occasional animal product, than it is to eat animals products at every meal, just because it's too difficult to be fully vegan. Doing something is a whole lot better than do nothing at all! If you are on a path to a more plant-based diet, that's totally awesome, and I support you. High-five my friend!
So that's my first response.
My second response is to explain how dairy is physically addictive because it contains the opiate casomorphin. Yeah notice the "morphin" part of that word. Look familiar? All animal milk contains casomorphin, even human milk! It's thought to be there, so that the infants will want to drink milk, and thus grow into healthy babies who will eventually wean off of milk... Somehow humans decided weaning was no longer necessary, just switching to another species milk is the way to go! Weird when you think about it.
Back to casomorphin. A big problem is that cow's dairy has about 20 times the amount of casomorphin than human milk does, and then when you compress that into cheese, it's even more dense. So yes, cheese is physically addictive. It takes about a month for your body to get rid of this addiction, then you might even start to realize that yes cheese really does smell like feet, and no, that doesn't make you want to eat it. The amount of times I have to hold my breath when sitting near a cheese plate at a party... (and this is coming from a former cheese addict).
Don't believe me? Check out this video, and prepare to have your mind blown.
My third (and I think most scrumptious) response is, you don't have to give up cheese! Vegan cheese is totally a thing, a totally delicious thing. Woot woot!
Don't believe me, just take a look at this. ↓↓↓
More and more stores are selling vegan cheeses, and we are starting to see some really tasty ones on the market. So you can totally buy those. Or amazing bloggers from around the web have created so many cheese recipes that will totally blow your socks off (but your cheese won't smell like feet).
These cheese recipes vary in technique, ingredients, flavours, and textures so you are sure to find your new favourite dairy-free goodness. Get your cheese knives ready! Time to dive into all of that vegan cheese goodness.
It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken (that's me!): The Best Vegan Mozzarella
Ceara's Kitchen: Nut Free Vegan Cream Cheese
Fragrant Vanilla Cake: Raw Lavender Lemon Chevre
It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken (that's me!): Melty Stretchy Gooey Vegan Nacho Cheese
Lands & Flavors: Basic Almond Cheese
Lands & Flavors: Sharp Vegan Nut Cheese
It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken (that's me!): Homemade Vegan Mac & Cheese Powder
Green Evi: Vegan Tofu Feta Cheese
Green Evi: Walnut and Herb Vegan Cheese
It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken (that's me!): Quick & Easy Vegan Cottage Cheese
Peppers &Â Peaches: Spiced Cashew Cheese
Baked in: Vegan Pepperjack Cheese
It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken (that's me!): Cranberry & Thyme Vegan Cheese Ball
 
Jennifer's Kitchen: Vegan Mozzarella Cheese
Avocados and Ales: Mozzarella Aquafaba Cheese
It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken (that's me!): Baked Almond Snacking Cheese
An Unrefined Vegan: Vegan Roasted Garlic & Fresh Herb Cream Cheez
Yes I am Vegan: Sliceable Vegan Cashew Cheese
It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken (that's me!): Vegan Cashew Cream Cheese - 3 ways
Elephant Journal: Chickpea Cheese
It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken (that's me):Â Melty Stretchy Gooey Vegan Mozzarella
Bon Appetegan!
Sam.
AngelaKin says
Can't wait to try this. Really much needed stuff for a pure Vegan. Thank you for sharing this.
Anne Hernandez says
What a great collection of CHEESE! I still consider myself in the transition phase since my husband and I still have fish on occasion but have cut out all other meat and dairy. Cheese really was the hardest thing to give up so THANK YOU for this.
I am just a little (actually, a lot) confused about the cheese labeled "FRAGRANT VANILLA CAKE: RAW LAVENDER LEMON CHEVRE" - is it cheese or cake? If it's cheese, I want a vegan vanilla cake recipe, too, please.
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Anne, so great that you are reducing your animal products so much, congrats! This post is a collection of recipes found on various different blogs. I listed the name of the blog, followed by the name of the recipe. So the name if the blog is "fragrant vanilla cake" and the recipe by that blog is called "raw lavender lemon chevre". Hope that clears it up! I have a recipe for vegan vanilla cake here which you can try. I also have even more vegan cheese recipes here. Enjoy!
Gina Caracci says
Cant wait to try these!
Any chance on a vegan provolone? lol
Your Rock Sam!!
Sam Turnbull says
I'll add it to my idea list! Thanks!
Kleanthis @ Yumbles Vegan Team says
Great article Sam! Most of the recipes look absolutely delicious. I will definitely try a few of them in the coming weeks. Your cranberry and thyme cheese ball recipe looks particularly interesting. I wonder if you have tried it with other dried food. I am considering raisins as an alternative.
Sam Turnbull says
Thanks so much! Raisins would be good too. 🙂
BRENDA says
Wow, this list makes me want to open a vegan cheese shop! Cheese is probably the most difficult to give up..alternatuves are often soy based..Thanks! I'm also looking for an alternative to grilling cheese.
Sam Turnbull says
I don't use soy in any of my cheese recipes. 🙂 Are you looking for a grilled cheese sandwich?
Karen says
Hi Sam,
I just discovered your blog this week. Oh yeah!! I'm what I like to call a "vegan-leaning vegetarian," i.e. not totally vegan, but on that end of the spectrum. The thought of drinking a glass of cow's milk makes me feel queasy. Cheese, however, is a conundrum. I really appreciate your thoughts on doing as much good as you can, without the requirement of being perfect. I'm also not a "preachy" vegetarian, as my husband will attest. 😉 I'm drooling at all these vegan cheese recipes, and can't wait to try them. The ones in the stores, in addition to being ridiculously expensive, have so many extra ingredients, it doesn't seem any more healthy than the "real thing." Looking forward to trying your gooey mozzarella tonight, and the Cranberry & Thyme Vegan Cheese Ball for an upcoming dinner party. Whee! 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
Yay! Welcome, Karen! Thrilled you found me, I hope you enjoy the recipes very much. That cheese ball is one of my faves 😀