London-based vegan cheese brand I Am Nut OK was created by American-Italian couple Angela and Nivi to solve the struggle of giving up cheese as a vegan. As an Italian, Nivi struggled to give up cheese after going vegan and Angela attempted to help him by creating vegan cheeses. This challenge is one that's experienced by countless people and it's often what keeps people from going fully plant-based. Now, the brand's cashew-based cheeses help to curb cravings thanks to similar fermentation and aging processes that conventional cheese goes through.
The range of plant-based cheese includes everything from ricotta to fetta and smoked cheddar to parmesan. As the company's site spells out, "I Am Nut OK is more daring than dairy, using inventive visual and flavor combinations. It’s not meant to replace cheese, but to satisfy the tastebuds in a way any delicious food does."
Handmade Cashew-Based Cheeses
This Vegan Cheese Brand is "More Daring Than Dairy"
Trend Themes
1. Plant-based Cheese - The trend of creating vegan cheese using plant-based ingredients provides opportunities for innovation in the food industry, particularly in terms of creating new flavors and textures.
2. Cashew-based Products - The use of cashews as a base for vegan cheese presents opportunities to explore other cashew-based products that mimic dairy-based products, such as cashew milk or yogurt.
3. Alternative Fermentation and Aging Processes - Creating plant-based cheeses that use alternative fermentation and aging processes offer opportunities to innovate in both the food and health industries by providing options for those with dietary restrictions and allergies.
Industry Implications
1. Vegan Food Industry - By innovating in the vegan food industry and creating plant-based cheese products that are similar in texture and flavor to conventional dairy products, companies can meet the growing demand for vegan food options.
2. Nut-based Products Industry - The increasing popularity of cashew-based cheeses provides opportunities for innovation in the nut-based products industry, such as developing new ways to use cashews in products beyond vegan cheese.
3. Health Food Industry - Alternative fermentation and aging processes used in plant-based cheeses can be applied to other food products in the health food industry to create innovative products that cater to those with dietary restrictions and allergies.