*Photo from Daiya Foods
I’ve been hearing a lot of hype about Daiya non-dairy cheese lately in the Twitter feeds of vegan foodies. People have been claiming its the best vegan cheese on the market, that it melts and tastes like real cheese. If you’ve ever had non-dairy cheese, you know that this would be a very big deal. Most non-dairy cheese is almost inedible, and pointless in my opinion, because nothing could even come close to imitating the creaminess of real cheese. Until now. Read on, my cheese loving friends, for the “revolution in non-dairy cheese” that is Daiya.
When creating this vegan cheese phenomenon, Daiya founder Andre Kroecher (who struggled with his love of good pizza while practicing a vegan lifestyle) was “tired of being disappointed” and “decided to make a non-dairy cheese that would perform and taste like the real thing.”
It seems that he succeeded, given the fact that in 2009 Daiya cheese won VegNews Magazine’s Product of the Year Award and started showing up at vegan-friendly restaurants all over the country. And cheese-lovers can rejoice – Daiya has recently been introduced at Whole Foods as well. Check out the recent news on Daiya.
So what makes this non-dairy cheese so cheesy? Well, its made from all plant-based ingredients (including tapioca flour, arrowroot and pea protein) and is soy and casein free (2 ingredients commonly found in non-dairy cheese). According to Daiya’s web site, the cheese boasts the following health benefits:
Ok, so you get it. People say its good. The whole point of this post is that after hearing all the hype for weeks, I finally tried Daiya cheese last night. I was out at ‘sNice in the West Village and saw Daiya on the menu. I ordered the tempeh rueben sandwich and could hardly contain my excitement to actually be trying this cheese. I watched the guy behind the counter put a heaping amount of Daiya shreds on the sandwich (“it’s delicious!” he assured me) and then toast it. When it came out to me, the cheese was oozing out of the sandwich.
I took a bite and could not believe my taste buds. I almost sent my sandwich back because I thought it was dripping with dairy cheese. But no. This was the first time I had truly enjoyed vegan cheese. The flavor and texture were just like regular cheese. A life changing moment! :)
Needless to say, I will be purchasing some Daiya at Whole Foods soon and will definitely post a recipe full of vegan cheesy goodness for you to savor.
Check out this review from someone who sampled Daiya pizza at an expo, and this review from Quarry Girl. Now go try it for yourself!!
Carlos says
Soy-free what?!?!? This is literally the only “substitute” food that has ever piqued my interest.
Kate says
I really enjoyed this post. Daiya is such a hot commodity in my refrigerator. I absolutely love it and have occasionally considered eating it straight out of the container-hehe. It is such a refreshing alternative to the other dairy free cheeses out there.
Matt says
I love Daiya cheese! The Whole Foods in Madison NJ sells it with their “DIY pizza” set near the deli, packed in tubs. Have made Pizza, baked ziti, grilled cheese, and eggplant parm all with great results. Even non-vegans enjoy Daiya (or at least tolerate it, a first for any vegan cheese!).
jess says
Matt! I called madison whole foods and went there myself and no one seems to know what daiya is! I live in florham park so I guess ill check after work in the deli section? I really hope its there..I had it at pala in nyc saturday they’re amazing for those who can’t have gluten or dairy :)
andy says
this cheese was sent from the Gods!! finally – thank you – no more terrible vegan cheese by you know who – chalky and gross – this stuff is miraculous! i can finally make my chic pea patty faux chicken parmesan – awesome!!!!
venus says
i have only been true vegan for the past year but daiya cheese is a MUST have in my fridge!!! i live in the desert of so-cal and can only find it in mozzarella or cheddar but i use it regularly. i love it on my homemade vegan chili or when i make my tomato bisque vegan soup on rainy days i will add a garlic grilled daiya sandwich to it, and its incredible with my lentil tacos….
Michael Kiefel says
We did like daiya cheese until the company added potato, a substance a lot of people are allergic to including my hardy, but sensitive wife who started getting a scratchy throat from daiya lately.
Chalk one up for one more product we won’t buy. We know a lot of people who have been tested by naturopaths who need to know daiya has changed a good formula and thrown in a filler. I was a bit suspicious when I saw that daiya products didn’t say “organic.”
What’s next?
—-Michael Kiefel
jenny sansouci says
Totally. This post was written years ago. I don’t eat Daiya cheese anymore, really. I prefer real cheese now. :)