How many times have you heard someone say that they can’t go vegan because they’d miss cheese too much? Well, that excuse isn’t really valid anymore, because there are many dairy-free cheese now available. In January, Food & Wine Magazine declared 2016 to be the year of vegan cheese, and Kite Hill is leading the way.
Kite Hill began with a vision for a plant-based food that would have all the qualities found in the best artisan dairy cheeses. They knew that their products had to entice the full range of food lovers, from those dedicated to a plant-based diet to others simply curious about a healthier lifestyle. They make their almond milk products with simple ingredients, using traditional methods. Not only do they make some of the best tasting vegan cheeses around, they also make yogurts, entrées, and even deserts.
To achieve their goal of creating the best tasting alternative dairy products, Kite Hill has assembled a team with deep culinary, cheese-making, and scientific expertise, including celebrated vegan chef Tal Ronnen.
The almonds used in Kite Hill’s products non-GMO certified, and they’re grown in California’s San Joaquin Valley. They’re soy-free, gluten-free, and of course, vegan.
Kite Hill recently sent me a box of the products to try, and I could barely contain my excitement. Judging from the reactions I received from photos of my cheesy haul on social media, others love Kite Hill products just as much as I now do.
Artisanal Delicacies
Soft Fresh Original – This is a mild and delicate cheese that’s soft and creamy. It’s made with simply almonds, water, salt, enzymes, and cultures, and it has a silky texture. This is good on its own on hearty bread or crackers, or mixed in with salads or greens. I used most of this cheese in a quinoa salad, and it added an extra layer of fresh flavor to the dish.
Soft Fresh Truffle Dill and Chive – Like the Soft Fresh Original, this cheese is supple and creamy, but the truffle oil, dill, and chives give it an incredible depth of flavor. We enjoyed this cheese on bread, served with olives and nuts. It was so good that we finished it almost immediately after the packaged from Kite Hill arrived, and I ended up running out to Whole Foods the next day to pick up more.
Soft Ripened – I actually let out a loud “oooo…” when opening the Soft Ripened cheese, as I was surprised to find that it had a white, fluffy rind. This cheese reminded me of the brie I occasionally ate in my pre-vegan days. It has a rich, tangy flavor, and a smooth texture. This was my favorite Kite Hill product, and like the Soft Fresh Truffle Dill and Chive, it didn’t last very long. We ate most of it on it’s own, on slices of fresh, crusty bread.
Ricotta – This cheese is exactly like the dairy ricotta I remember – soft and fluffy, with a tangy twist. It can be used in any recipe that calls for ricotta cheese, including pastas and desserts. I used to make a heavenly baked pasta dish, and it had us going back for seconds.
Cream Cheese Style Spreads
Plain Cream Cheese Style Spreads – This smooth and creamy spread has the right amount of tang with just a hint of sweetness. It’s perfect spread on a bagel, but also pairs well with fruit and vegetables. It can be used in any recipe that calls for dairy-based cream cheese.
Chive Cream Cheese Style Spread – I couldn’t get enough of this cream cheese! It’s smooth and creamy, just like the plain variety, but it has an irresistible herbal pop of freshness. It’s great on bagels, sandwiches, and even baked potatoes!
Yogurts
I was never a big yogurt lover before I went vegan, but I am a fan of Kite Hill’s Yogurt. It’s smooth and silky, and it has that familiar tanginess that yogurt is known for. The Vanilla flavor is perfect for mixing with fruit and nuts for breakfast, while I enjoyed the Peach, Blueberry, and Strawberry varieties as afternoon snacks.
Kite Hill products are available at Whole Foods Market stores nationwide. My local Whole Foods store in the cheese area rather than the vegan section, so be sure to ask for it if you can’t find it.
How I want to try ALL of those Kite Hill goodies!