EEK! - Hold the front page!!
Check this out:
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| Yippee!! |
And this:
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| Huzzah!! |
I'm excited, can you tell?
Yep, because we can now buy Daiya cheese in the UK.
It's been a big hit in the US for years!
So...
What's it like??
The cheddar looks like cheddar, similar texture to cheddar and actually, yes has similar flavour to cheddar - the mature stuff that I used to LOVE with a passion and have been missing ever since. The nearest I have got to that missing flavour has been Amy's gluten, dairy and soya free macaroni cheese ready meals.I mean usually, I would say that ALL vegan cheese tastes better toasted or cooked, but NOT this one! Yes, I actually enjoy this 'un on a plain cracker, just like regular cheese! Hence my excitement!
And there is no residual flavour of anything else, like coconut, for example!
It slices and grates well - a bit crumbly towards the end, but show me a cheese that doesn't!
The only flaw and for me this is a small one - it doesn't melt on top of dishes, like the dish I made for dinner last night. However, Daiya have that one covered with their shredded, mozzarella-style cheese. That one I wouldn't eat on plain crackers, BUT it melts beautifully, and tastes yummy and cheesy once it has done so.
What's in it??
Note this: It is free of the top 14 allergens! BUT! Word of caution for people with multiple allergies that are not in the top 14 (so there is not legal requirement to declare them) - wording such as 'Vegan Natural Flavours' is not exactly helpful. Have highlighted 'Calcium' as it's one of the main nutrients in dairy and soya free cheese that you could be missing.Otherwise, the ingredients are as follows:
Medium Cheddar Style Ingredients:
Water, Tapioca Starch, Coconut Oil, Natural Flavours, Pea Protein Isolate, Rapeseed Oil, Safflower Oil, Chicory Root Extract, Sea Salt, Thickener: Xanthum Gum, Preservative: Lactic Acid, Anti-Caking Agent: Tricalcium Phosphate, Preservative: Tricalium Citrate, Pea Starch, Potato Protein, Enzyme, Sugar, Colour: Annatto
Calcium: 0.9g per 100g
Mozzarella Style Shreds Ingredients:
Water, Tapioca Starch, Coconut Oil, Safflower Oil, Potato Protein, Vegan Natural Flavours, Sea Salt, Anti-Caking Agent: Tricalcium Phosphate, Emulsifier: Fructan Fibre, Preservative: Lactic Acid, Fava Bean Protein, Whole Algal Flour, Emulsifier: Konjac Gum, Thickener: Xanthum Gum, Yeast Extract
Calcium 0.407g per 100g
How much is it??
Please don't shout at the screen...Cheddar 200g: £4.50
Shreds 200g: £4.50
It is pricey, I know!! I thought it may be down to the fact that it is imported from the US, but a US contributor on Face Book has pointed out that it bears a similar cost in the US.
Where to buy:
If you're within reach of a Wholefoods market (e.g. London) you stand a better chance than most of us, however, Daiya is now stocked in some Sainsbury's supermarkets. One of my nearest Sainsbury's had it temporarily, but it seems to have disappeared. If it's not stocked locally to you and you are prepared to travel to find some, then Daiya have produced a handy store finder click here.Summary:
It is pricier than normal cheese and than its nearest rivals on the dairy free cheese market, BUT if a dairy and soya free authentic cheddar is your thing, or a proper melty cheese, then this is your best bet!For other posts about dairy free cheese, please check out our 'Related Posts' below. Please note that as these other posts were written a few years ago, some details/packaging may have changed.
Please note:
This post is not an advert. I have not been paid to write this post. I am not sponsored in any way, even by advertising. I do not receive products free to review, although I have often been offered them. This is to try and maintain an unbiased approach. All views expressed are my own (unless I've asked for The Hub's or Kiddo's). I try to tell is 'as-it-is'.
Related Posts:
