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Most commonly, it’s made from coconut oil which replicates the fattiness of dairy rounded up with thickeners such as xanthan gum or starch, which helps to bind it together. Nuts, such as cashews or almonds, are often used as they contain a lot of natural fat that gives a creamy texture once blended. Many brands also use a vegan lactic acid to add the tang and umami that gives that quintessential cheese flavour. In terms of health, vegan cheese is generally considered better for you than dairy cheese as it’s lower in saturated fat and often has added vitamin B12, which contributes to a healthy nervous system. However, do watch out for a higher sodium content and it doesn’t contain the same amount of protein as regular dairy cheese. Here, we’ve taste tested top brands from Violife to Sheese, available in major supermarkets and online, to find the best cheese alternatives available. So whether you’re looking for the perfect cheddar cheese for a vegan toastie or the best vegan feta for a classic Greek salad, we’re sure to have something for you.

Good on its own, this cheddar has a smooth, creamy taste with a distinctive tang thanks to the added lactic acid. It also has an aged flavour from the yeast extract without an odd aftertaste. Its slightly crumbly texture mirrors dairy cheddar, as does its neutral yellow colour. This could be eaten alone, on a cracker or in a sandwich. A slightly smokey taste with a good salty flavour, this grated vegan cheddar from Violife melted quickly and quite evenly, which is good for when you’re making a toastie or nachos. It has a slight stickiness but was by far the least cloying of the bunch. It has a super creamy, cheesy flavour when eaten raw, but it’s not overpowering.