# Aged Plant-Based Cheddars Plonts Makes Plant-Based Alternatives with Fermentation By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2024-08-08 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plonts References: [foodmanufacturing](https://www.foodmanufacturing.com/capital-investment/news/22917052/plonts-plantbased-cheese-launches-with-12m-seed-round)  Plonts uses the same process that turns milk into cheese to turn [plant-based ingredients into cheese alternatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hybrid-cheese-blocks), and the brand's debut product is an aged plant-based cheddar that slices, shreds, melts and tastes like its animal-derived counterpart. As of early August 2024, Plonts' aged plant-based cheddar can be enjoyed at select restaurants in New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area. Plonts Cheddar is featured in tailor-made dishes that specifically show off its best qualities. While Shuggie's in San Francisco serves Pizza Puffs filled with Plonts plant-based cheddar, mushrooms, pesto, and a ranch dipping sauce, NYC's [Court Street Grocers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/home-court-1) worked with Plonts on a Veggie Classic Sandwich, featuring a mushroom and black bean patty, Plonts plant-based cheddar, pickles, vegan mayonnaise, white onion and romaine on a white bun. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.1/10 - Popularity: 54% | Activity: 42% | Freshness: 27% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Fermented Plant-based Cheese:** Utilizing traditional fermentation methods with plant-based ingredients leads to cheese alternatives that mimic the properties and flavors of dairy cheese. - **Restaurant Partnerships for Vegan Products:** Collaborating with restaurants to create signature dishes helps showcase and validate the versatility of innovative plant-based products. - **Regional Rollouts of Plant-based Foods:** Launching plant-based products in select, trend-setting urban markets allows for targeted feedback and brand strengthening among early adopters. ### Where This Applies - **Plant-based Food Production:** Developing new methods to create plant-based alternatives to traditional dairy products is pushing the boundaries of sustainable food technology. - **Food Service and Hospitality:** Integrating high-quality plant-based alternatives into diverse menus provides chefs with innovative ingredients and appeals to a growing demographic of vegan and vegetarian diners. - **Urban Food Markets:** Targeting densely populated urban areas with innovative food products capitalizes on the concentrated demand for sustainable and health-focused dining options. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Plant-Based Cheddar Slices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cultured-plantbased-cheddar-slices.md) - [Plant-Based Cheese Partnerships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stockeld-dreamery-and-plantega.md) - [Versatile Plant-Based Cheeses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plantbased-cheeses.md) - [Plant-Based Mature Cheddar Cheeses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/supreme-cheddarton.md) - [Mature Alt Cheeses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/violife-cheddarton.md) - [Naturally Ripened Plant-Based Cheeses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/future-of-cheese.md) - [Dairy-Identical Cheeses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nobell-foods.md) - [Grillable Hybrid Cheeses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hybrid-cheeses.md) - [Plant Milk Cheese Spreads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plant-milk-cheese-spreads.md)