Vegan Cheese Brands in India: A Texture and Taste Review
In recent years, veganism has shifted from a niche trend to a serious movement across India. As the population grows more health-conscious and environmentally aware, plant-based alternatives have gained prominence. Among them, vegan cheese has stood out—particularly for those who miss the texture and taste of dairy but want to follow cruelty-free, lactose-free, or PCOD-friendly diets. In this article, I explore the leading vegan cheese brands in India, focusing on texture, taste, availability, and overall value for money.
The Growing Appetite for Vegan Cheese
Urban India has seen a sharp rise in vegan restaurants, homegrown plant-based startups, and retail products that cater to dairy-free lifestyles. Cheese, long considered a comfort food and a staple in many Indian kitchens, has now entered the vegan reformulation space. Unlike traditional cheese made from cow or buffalo milk, vegan cheese uses plant-based ingredients such as cashews, almonds, soy, oats, and coconut oil. However, not all vegan cheeses deliver on texture and taste—two factors essential to consumer satisfaction.
Key Parameters of the Review
To evaluate Indian vegan cheese brands thoroughly, I chose four key parameters:
- Texture: Creaminess, meltability, and mouthfeel
- Taste: Flavor accuracy, seasoning balance, and aftertaste
- Versatility: Usability across different dishes—grilled sandwiches, pizza, pasta, etc.
- Availability and Price: Ease of access and cost per 100g
Using these criteria, I reviewed seven prominent vegan cheese brands in India: Goodmylk, Live Yum, Urban Platter, Vegan Deli, Soft Spot Foods, Plant Away, and Vezlay.
1. Goodmylk Cheese
Texture: Goodmylk’s vegan cheese shreds offer a soft texture that melts moderately well. It doesn’t quite reach the stringiness of mozzarella but delivers decent meltability on pizza.
Taste: The flavor stays subtle, leaning toward a mild cheddar profile. It avoids being overly salty, which works well in sandwiches and lasagnas.
Versatility: You can use it for toast, pasta, and cheesy dips. It doesn’t harden after cooking, a plus point.
Price & Availability: ₹350 for 200g; available on BigBasket, Amazon, and the brand’s own website.
Verdict: Goodmylk balances health and flavor without overcomplicating ingredients. Its clean label also appeals to health-conscious consumers.
2. Live Yum
Texture: Among all reviewed brands, Live Yum aces the texture game. Their mozzarella-style shreds and slices mimic dairy cheese’s stretchiness impressively. You can grate, melt, or slice them easily.
Taste: Live Yum delivers a cheesy, buttery flavor that doesn’t feel artificial. It suits Indian taste preferences with its balanced umami and mild saltiness.
Versatility: Perfect for pizzas, grilled sandwiches, and quesadillas. It browns nicely in the oven and doesn’t crumble during cutting.
Price & Availability: ₹420 for 200g; available in premium grocery chains and on VeganDukan.
Verdict: Live Yum works great for those who want taste without compromise. It stands as the top contender for overall performance.
3. Urban Platter Vegan Cheese
Texture: Urban Platter’s cheese block feels dense and compact. When heated, it softens but doesn’t melt as smoothly as dairy cheese.
Taste: The flavor leans toward sour and fermented notes. If you enjoy sharp cheddar, you may find it appealing. For others, the sour tang might seem overpowering.
Versatility: Best used in salads or cheese platters. It does not spread or melt well, so avoid it for pizza or toast.
Price & Availability: ₹475 for 200g; widely available on Amazon and Nature’s Basket.
Verdict: Urban Platter targets a gourmet audience. Those looking for artisanal flavor might enjoy it, but the average consumer may find it too tangy.
4. Vegan Deli
Texture: Vegan Deli offers a soft, spreadable cheese made primarily from cashews. Its texture mimics cream cheese rather than hard cheese.
Taste: You get a nutty and creamy flavor with hints of garlic and herbs. It doesn’t taste like traditional cheese but brings its own character.
Versatility: Ideal for crackers, sandwiches, and dips. It doesn’t work for cooking-heavy recipes like pasta or baked dishes.
Price & Availability: ₹390 for 150g; available on specialty vegan e-commerce platforms.
Verdict: Vegan Deli carves a niche for those who prefer spreads over slices. Its taste profile works well for health-conscious snackers.
5. Soft Spot Foods
Texture: Soft Spot offers semi-firm blocks, including cheddar, mozzarella, and herb flavors. The cheese grates well but doesn’t melt to the extent of dairy.
Taste: The flavor remains mild but authentic. Their herb-infused block adds a rich, Mediterranean touch to pasta or salads.
Versatility: You can grate it over salads, pizza, or use it in wraps. While it doesn’t melt completely, it softens nicely with heat.
Price & Availability: ₹450 for 200g; available on VeganMall and Urban Platter.
Verdict: Soft Spot hits the mark with its flavor range and natural ingredients. While it doesn’t fully satisfy cheese pull lovers, it earns points for clean texture and unique variants.
6. Plant Away
Texture: Plant Away’s slices feel soft and buttery. They melt decently and bind well with hot dishes like paninis or quesadillas.
Taste: You get a subtle, creamy flavor without artificial aftertaste. Their smoked cheese version adds a delicious twist.
Versatility: Great for toast, wraps, or even cheese sauces. It spreads and melts uniformly without splitting.
Price & Availability: ₹410 for 150g; available online and in select organic food stores.
Verdict: Plant Away provides value for both vegans and flexitarians. Their texture-to-price ratio ranks above average.
7. Vezlay Vegan Cheese
Texture: Vezlay cheese slices feel dry straight out of the pack. With heat, they melt somewhat, though they become rubbery after cooling.
Taste: You get a mild flavor, but it lacks depth. It works in sandwiches but feels bland on its own.
Versatility: Limited. Avoid it for standalone use or cold platters. Use it only in toasted recipes.
Price & Availability: ₹250 for 180g; widely stocked in offline stores.
Verdict: Vezlay targets budget-conscious users but compromises on both taste and texture.
Final Rankings: Taste Meets Texture
| Brand | Texture Score | Taste Score | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live Yum | 9/10 | 9/10 | Pizza, grilled sandwiches |
| Goodmylk | 8/10 | 8/10 | Daily meals, pasta |
| Soft Spot | 7.5/10 | 8/10 | Salads, pasta |
| Plant Away | 8/10 | 7.5/10 | Paninis, sauces |
| Vegan Deli | 7/10 | 7.5/10 | Spreads, crackers |
| Urban Platter | 6/10 | 6.5/10 | Gourmet cheese boards |
| Vezlay | 5/10 | 5/10 | Budget sandwiches |
Conclusion
India’s vegan cheese market has evolved significantly in the last few years. Brands like Live Yum and Goodmylk set the benchmark for quality, while Vegan Deli and Soft Spot add diversity to the category. As taste preferences expand and more people adopt plant-based diets due to lactose intolerance, PCOD, or ethical reasons, these brands fill a vital culinary gap. Texture and taste play a critical role in consumer acceptance, and as seen above, not all brands deliver equally.
Choose a brand based on your culinary goals—whether you want a pizza night, a gourmet experience, or a daily dairy-free substitute. Fortunately, Indian vegan cheese today offers more options than ever before.
