6 vegan cheese start-ups in Asia for your plant-based fromage fix
If there’s one thing that’s a little tough to give up when going plant-based, it’s the cheeseboard. Pre-dinner, post-meal, during cocktail hour or as a snack, cheese and crackers is the ultimate in gorging food. But a new age of ethical, sustainable and healthy food consumption is upon us and dairy cheese is on its way out. It’s all about nut, seed and bean cheese from now on. Across Asia (and the globe), herbivores are demanding better plant-based cheese and a bevy of start-ups have sprung up to meet the demand. So if you’re a plant-based foodie struggling to find a decent cheese alternative, rest assured, we have you covered. Here is a guide to the best vegan cheese companies in the region.
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In A Nutshell – Philippines
Whipping up handcrafted dairy- and cruelty- free cheese from Manila since 2015, In A Nutshell uses locally sourced cashews, non-GMO tofu and soy milk. Offering an assortment from Boursin to Herbed Feta, Smoked Gouda to Pepper Jack and lots of others, all their products are also gluten-free.
Moon Cheese – Taiwan
Each wheel of Moon Cheese is lovingly handmade by owners Stephanie and James of artisanal vegan cheese company Moon Cheese in Taipei. Made in small batches and left to ferment for three days to a week – longer for the cheddar blocks – the beauty of this brand rests in all the fresh herbs and spices to give their products a power-packed punch (as opposed to large amounts of salt, which can be found in most popular vegan cheeses).
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Kroodi – Singapore
This gluten-, refined-sugar, preservative-free line of premium vegan cheeses makes Kroodi one of Singapore’s favourite plant-based brands. Founded by Claudia Cani in 2017, Kroodi’s handcrafted wheels are prepared at low temperatures to maintain their nutritional value. Raw and unprocessed as much as possible, the cheese is available in three flavours with an Italian twist.
My Plant Deli – Malaysia
Malaysia’s answer to a healthier version of hard and soft cow’s milk cheese is My Plant Deli – a natural vegan line of cheese blocks, balls, powders, shredded and cream cheeses. What began as a personal journey to eat and live healthier turned wife and husband duo, Honey and Naren Narasiah, to craft a thriving plant-based family-run business.
Madree Vegan Cheese – Indonesia
Madree in Java makes a small but deliciously addictive line of smoked and mild vegan cheeses. Organically fermented using local and natural ingredients, the soy-, GMO-, and preservative-free brand is available throughout Jakarta, Tangerang, Surabaya and Bali.
Cowvathi – India
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A Mumbai-based line of vegan cheese varieties, Cowvathi started in 2016 when Shasvathi Siva traded her career in advertising to curate her own range of plant-based products. Made to order from her studio kitchen, the friendly-to-cows chef offers cheese and dips in custom and hand-picked flavours.
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It’s all about nut, seed and bean cheese from now on