What is the best dairy free cheese alternative?
Cheese board - image Curated Lifestyle Unsplash+
Dairy-Free Cheese Is Here: Enjoy Delicious Plant-Based Alternatives in New Zealand
Gone are the days when going dairy-free meant sacrificing flavour for bland or strange textured substitutes. Thanks to ongoing innovation within the vegan community, dairy-free cheeses now boast impressive taste, texture, and quality.
If you are new to a dairy-free lifestyle or need to cater to friends who can't tolerate dairy? Don't worry! While the variety of dairy-free milk options is impressive (my favourite is Soy Milky Unsweetened Oat), did you know that tasty dairy-free cheese is also now widely available? If you are new to finding DF treats make sure you include vegan in your search as these dishes and products will always be dairy free. Don’t get caught out thought, vegetarian dishes can include dairy so you want to make sure you stick to vegan.
Celebrating the Best in Dairy-Free Cheese: The New Zealand Vegan Cheese Awards
The annual New Zealand Vegan Cheese Awards, held in Auckland and organised by the NZ Vegan Society, highlight the sophistication and diversity of vegan cheese options. This event brings together expert judges to evaluate a wide range of plant-based cheeses across 12 categories.
Winning Highlights from 2025
This year's top award went to High Culture for their bouche au poivre, impressing judges with its authentic flavour. High Culture also triumphed in the soft cheese category with their bouche au poivre and won the flavoured cheese board category with their bouche à la truffe.
Other noteworthy winners include One Love Planet’s Bohemian Blue for camembert and Angel Food's mozzarella. Personally, I prefer the Zenzo mozzarella, which was the runner-up—I enjoy it every morning with my breakfast burrito!
The Rise of Quality Vegan Cheese
Vegan cheese has made significant advances recently. Natural ingredients now mimic traditional dairy cheese, delivering authentic textures and flavours, along with exciting new tastes exclusive to plant-based options.
Why I Love Dairy-Free Cheese
The best part? Being able to indulge in stunning charcuterie boards or enjoy a cheeky cheese and wine night while watching a movie, all with cruelty-free, belly- saving plant based cheese!
The Future of Dairy-Free Cheese in New Zealand
The takeaway is clear, going dairy-free no longer means missing out on cheese boards! With improving vegan cheese options and Kiwi businesses stepping up to meet growing demand, New Zealand is quickly becoming a hub for dairy-free innovation.