# Luxury Vegan Cheeses 'RIND' Makes Plant-Based, Cruelty-Free "Cheese" in a European Style By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2018-02-19 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cruelty-free-cheese References: [instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/BfCWgy8lAbB/?taken-by=rind.affineur) & [rind.nyc](https://www.rind.nyc/) [RIND](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rind-vegan-cheeses) is an all-new cruelty-free cheese brand that is set to launched in select restaurants throughout New York as of next year. The vegan cheese brand is now testing ripened cheese flavors made using a traditional process that has ancient microbes to break down fats, proteins, and sugars. RIND is a new collaborative venture from Joshua Katcher, the founder of vegan fashion brand [Brave Gentleman](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brave-robot) and vegan tattoo shop owner Dina DiCenso. Although RIND has developed a plant-based blend of flavors that will appeal to those who love classic brie, Camembert and blue cheeses, Katcher notes that: "our cheese isn’t just an ‘alternative, we think it’s fantastic in its own right.” As the brand sees it, the global market for plant-based cheese is only set to grow in the next decade and it wants to satisfy a demand for "[bloomy, European-style, aged, plant-based cheeses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/umyum)." Image Credit: Instagram ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.2/10 - Popularity: 50% | Activity: 68% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Plant-based Cheese:** There is a growing demand for a plant-based cheese that tastes great and is accessible to all consumers. - **Cruelty-free Products:** Consumers are increasingly interested in products that do not harm animals and are produced in an ethical and sustainable way. - **Ancient Microbes:** Innovative production methods that use ancient microbes to break down fats, proteins, and sugars could revolutionize the plant-based cheese industry. ### Who This Affects Most - **Plant-based Food:** The plant-based food industry has the potential to disrupt the traditional dairy industry and cater to consumers who are looking for healthier and more sustainable options. - **Luxury Food:** The luxury food industry could tap into the growing demand for vegan and cruelty-free options by developing premium plant-based cheese products. - **Fashion and Tattoo Industry:** The fashion and tattoo industry could collaborate to create more ethical and sustainable brands that cater to consumers who are interested in vegan and cruelty-free products. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Parsnip-Based Vegan Cheeses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rind-vegan-cheeses.md) - [Plant-Powered Spreadable Crèmes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brie-creme.md) - [Plant-Based Blue Cheese Crumbles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bleu-crumbles.md) - [Carrot-Based Cheese Slices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cheese-from-carrots.md) - [Naturally Ripened Plant-Based Cheeses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/future-of-cheese.md) - [Exceptional Plant-Based Cheeses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/julienne-bruno-vegan-cheeses.md) - [Plant-Based Artisanal Cheeses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plantbased-artisanal-cheese.md) - [Handmade Cashew-Based Cheeses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegan-cheese-brand.md) - [Vegan American-Style Cheeses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/richs-plantbased-cheese.md)