excellent vegan cheezes - Sheese and Cheezly

April 6, 2007

Hi folks

Vegan cheezes have gotten alot better in the nearly 2 decades that I've been vegan -- Follow Your Heart actually melts and makes a great pizza! But that's actually the only way I like the cheeze -- cooked. I don't like it in its natural state, just out of the package.

Anyways, I've heard for awhile that the vegan cheezes in the UK are much better, but I wasn't really too concerned. (After all, I'm here in California; where am I going to find European cheezes?) Well, after quite a few people told me about them, Sheese and Cheezly, I was curious.

These 2 products are both made in Scotland, and come in multiple flavors. I had an opportunity to taste the "extra cheddar" flavors in both brands. Both Scottish vegan cheezes tasted good enough to be eaten straight out of the package, much better than the U.S. vegan cheezes. I'd have the cheeze just sliced, out of the package, on a toasted bagel and it was delicious. The texture/taste reminded me of cheddar (except the color wasn't orange like the dairy-based cheddar I ate in my pre-vegan life), and it made awesome sandwiches when I'd pile in Tofurky slices, lettuce, avocado, cucumber, etc. If I had to pick a winner, it'd be Sheese, by just a narrow margin.

Unfortunately, these 2 brands aren't carried locally :-( and I only bought them while visiting in the UK. But I understand from reliable sources that you can get them mail-order through the typical places that sell vegan foods ... so, just thought I'd share in case anyone is having a cheeze craze or wants to start lobbying local stores to carry them!

Cheers,

Tammy

Bay Area Vegetarians

P.O. Box 371215

Montara, CA 94037

http://BayAreaVeg.org

April 6, 2007

If folks want to buy Sheese at their local stores, I found an

information sheet for merchants. Just print it and take it to your

local store. It explains how to get Sheese. I've also heard really

good things about the product, but haven't tried it.

http://blackduckimports.com/documents/flyer.pdf

April 7, 2007

I was also told its at foodfightgrocery.com, and I'd bet many of the other larger mail order places have it. I've never ordered, so I don't know how it's shipped.

We were tipped off (about Sheese, at least) that it is able to travel *unrefrigerated* (what a nice advantage of being dairy-free!) And, that's exactly what veganessentials.com says on their website (search on sheese) ... We did exactly below, and it worked fine.**NOTE** - Scheese can travel well for a few days at normal temperatures under 80 degrees farenheit without refrigeration. However, we strongly suggest refrigerating this product as soon as it is received, as the oil can separate from the product if it is not refrigerated soon after being received. We keep it in cool storage while it is being kept with us, and as long as your temperatures are not above 80 degrees (and as long as the package will not be left in heat outside before you receive it) there should be no problem with standard UPS Ground shipping for orders inside the USA. However, during the warm seasons or if you live in warmer climates we do recommend ordering via 2nd Day Air to ensure that the product will be in excellent condition when you receive it. If you order via 2nd Day Air we will include a cold pack and insulated wrap at no extra charge in anticipation of the high temperatures. When you receive your Scheese, please refrigerate it for 12-24 hours before consuming so that it will regain its correct state of firmness and be at its best for you when you eat it.----So, if you have a friend travelling to the UK, or friends that live there ... Vegan natural food stores like Holland & Barrett carry it, and those are easily found in large cities. Vegan food is just easier to find in the UK, perhaps.

So when's the wine & cheese party? Although, I don't drink, so I'd settle for grape juice!Cheers,Tammy

Perform a death-defying act ... Go Vegan!