Soy cheese that is truly dairy free

It is hard to find soy cheese that is truly dairy free. Most "soy" cheeses are started in a casein (milk) base, or may contain animal rennet or whey. This means they have been in contact with dairy and are therefore unsuitable for those with high sensitivities or who are anaphylactic to milk.

Kingland Soy Cheese (from Australia) and Redwood Cheezly (from the UK) are two popular cheddar-style cheeses that are dairy free. Tofutti (from the US) makes a delicious dairy-free cream cheese.

Of course, if your palate is used to regular dairy cheese then the taste and texture of soy cheese may take some getting used to.


Kingland say:

Kingland Soy Cheese is made from premium grade organic and GM free soy beans grown in Australia. Choice ingredients have been carefully combined to produce mild flavoured, smooth textured, delicious cheeses. Being low in fat, having negligible cholesterol, no lactose, and the goodness of soy these cheeses have been well accepted by consumers. These cheeses may be used cold, baked, grilled or melted as delicious dairy cheese replacements. Kingland Soy Cheese is ideally suited for vegetarians and those who have allergies to dairy products.

Kingland Soy Cheese is available in four varieties: Cheddar, Garden Herbs, Sesame & Poppy, and Cracked Pepper. They are widely available in supermarkets. Call the manufacturer King International on 07 3277 7899 for information on stockists.


Redwood say:

Cheezly is TOTALLY free from animal ingredients. So it's perfect for vegetarians and vegans, as well as people who are lactose or casein intolerant. What's more, there are no nasties. Cheezly is also free from hydrogenated fats, gluten, artificial colours/preservatives, cholesterol and GMOs.

Redwood Cheezly is available in the styles of Mature White Cheddar, Nacho, Mozzarella, Gouda, Edam, and Garlic and Herb Cheddar. The Mozzarella is the best of the varieties. It melts very well and is very suitable for a cheddar substitute. Redwood Cheezly is available from delis and specialist vegan retailers. Call the Australian distributor Vegan Perfection on 03 9398 6302 for stockist information.


My preferred cream cheese is Tofutti's Better Than Cream Cheese. This is dairy-free and is widely available in supermarkets. It is just as nice as dairy cream cheese and when used in sandwiches or in recipes, dairy eaters can't tell the difference! Call the Australian distributor Trialia Foods on 03 9701 1666 for stockist information.


If you can tolerate a trace of dairy the Mini-chol cheese is a delicious soy-based cheese. However, be aware that it is started in a casein (milk) base and will therefore contain traces of dairy. As it is often sold by weight in delicatessens the label may be removed and staff may mistakenly claim it is dairy-free.

Please write in the comments if you know of other brands or stockists.

Where can I find dairy-free chocolate?

Some cooking chocolates are made with oils rather than butter (check the label carefully), but the consistency of these can be crumbly and they are not really nice enough to eat on their own!

The Kinnerton brand promotes its 100g Luxury Dark Chocolate bars as milk-free, egg-free, nut-free, and gluten-free. This is a very rich, flavoursome chocolate great for using in cooking, baking, and eating on its own if you like dark chocolate. Kinnerton also make allergen-free lollipops and really yummy chocolate mints. Seasonally, Kinnerton also make Easter Eggs and Christmas sweets. In Australia, Kinnerton say their chocolate is available at major stores like Big W, Kmart, Target, and Priceline, however I have found that not all stores stock them all the time.


Sweet William make 100g White Delight and Original chocolate blocks and various small flavoured bars. They say their blocks are milk-free, nut-free, and gluten-free. They use soy instead of dairy milk, and the Original bar is a great substitute for milk chocolate, with a lighter and creamier flavour than the Kinnerton Luxury Dark block. In Australia, Sweet William say their chocolate is available at major supermarkets Woolworths, Coles, and IGA, either with the health foods or in the confectionery.


Personally, I love dark chocolate so in all my chocolate recipes I use Kinnerton. Please write in the comments if you know of other brands or stockists.

Soy cheese that is truly dairy free

It is hard to find soy cheese that is truly dairy free. Most "soy" cheeses are started in a casein (milk) base, or may contain animal rennet or whey. This means they have been in contact with dairy and are therefore unsuitable for those with high sensitivities or who are anaphylactic to milk.

Kingland Soy Cheese (from Australia) and Redwood Cheezly (from the UK) are two popular cheddar-style cheeses that are dairy free. Tofutti (from the US) makes a delicious dairy-free cream cheese.

Of course, if your palate is used to regular dairy cheese then the taste and texture of soy cheese may take some getting used to.


Kingland say:

Kingland Soy Cheese is made from premium grade organic and GM free soy beans grown in Australia. Choice ingredients have been carefully combined to produce mild flavoured, smooth textured, delicious cheeses. Being low in fat, having negligible cholesterol, no lactose, and the goodness of soy these cheeses have been well accepted by consumers. These cheeses may be used cold, baked, grilled or melted as delicious dairy cheese replacements. Kingland Soy Cheese is ideally suited for vegetarians and those who have allergies to dairy products.

Kingland Soy Cheese is available in four varieties: Cheddar, Garden Herbs, Sesame & Poppy, and Cracked Pepper. They are widely available in supermarkets. Call the manufacturer King International on 07 3277 7899 for information on stockists.


Redwood say:

Cheezly is TOTALLY free from animal ingredients. So it's perfect for vegetarians and vegans, as well as people who are lactose or casein intolerant. What's more, there are no nasties. Cheezly is also free from hydrogenated fats, gluten, artificial colours/preservatives, cholesterol and GMOs.

Redwood Cheezly is available in the styles of Mature White Cheddar, Nacho, Mozzarella, Gouda, Edam, and Garlic and Herb Cheddar. The Mozzarella is the best of the varieties. It melts very well and is very suitable for a cheddar substitute. Redwood Cheezly is available from delis and specialist vegan retailers. Call the Australian distributor Vegan Perfection on 03 9398 6302 for stockist information.


My preferred cream cheese is Tofutti's Better Than Cream Cheese. This is dairy-free and is widely available in supermarkets. It is just as nice as dairy cream cheese and when used in sandwiches or in recipes, dairy eaters can't tell the difference! Call the Australian distributor Trialia Foods on 03 9701 1666 for stockist information.


If you can tolerate a trace of dairy the Mini-chol cheese is a delicious soy-based cheese. However, be aware that it is started in a casein (milk) base and will therefore contain traces of dairy. As it is often sold by weight in delicatessens the label may be removed and staff may mistakenly claim it is dairy-free.

Please write in the comments if you know of other brands or stockists.

Where can I find dairy-free chocolate?

Some cooking chocolates are made with oils rather than butter (check the label carefully), but the consistency of these can be crumbly and they are not really nice enough to eat on their own!

The Kinnerton brand promotes its 100g Luxury Dark Chocolate bars as milk-free, egg-free, nut-free, and gluten-free. This is a very rich, flavoursome chocolate great for using in cooking, baking, and eating on its own if you like dark chocolate. Kinnerton also make allergen-free lollipops and really yummy chocolate mints. Seasonally, Kinnerton also make Easter Eggs and Christmas sweets. In Australia, Kinnerton say their chocolate is available at major stores like Big W, Kmart, Target, and Priceline, however I have found that not all stores stock them all the time.


Sweet William make 100g White Delight and Original chocolate blocks and various small flavoured bars. They say their blocks are milk-free, nut-free, and gluten-free. They use soy instead of dairy milk, and the Original bar is a great substitute for milk chocolate, with a lighter and creamier flavour than the Kinnerton Luxury Dark block. In Australia, Sweet William say their chocolate is available at major supermarkets Woolworths, Coles, and IGA, either with the health foods or in the confectionery.


Personally, I love dark chocolate so in all my chocolate recipes I use Kinnerton. Please write in the comments if you know of other brands or stockists.