From rnz.co.nz
The "unctuous and tasty" cheese stood out among a growing array of plant-based options
A cashew-based cheese made using a traditional mould-ripening process has taken top honours at the New Zealand Vegan Cheese Awards.
Cashbert, a handmade camembert-style cheese from Auckland's Savour Vegan Creamery, was named Supreme Winner at the awards held in Auckland on Thursday.
Judges say the cheese, which is made from cashew nuts, filtered water, sea salt and vegan cultures and penicillin, is "unctuous and tasty, a perfect addition to any cheeseboard".
Judge Franco Sessa, who has judged cheese professionally in Aotearoa and internationally, says the range of cheeses presented at the awards shows the local industry is maturing and developing.
"We had 60 entries, over 10 categories and they are just getting better and better."
Sessa says the winning cheese doesn't taste like a traditional dairy-based camembert because it is impossible to replicate the same flavours with plant-based ingredients, but it looks "extremely similar".
"It has a fantastic bloomy rind... this particular producer is growing skills in working with a penicillin mould strain."
Sessa says that while some vegan cheeses can be an acquired taste, trends are changing and flavours are improving all the time.
"I can see in the future that New Zealanders will have room on their cheeseboards for dairy and vegan cheeses alike."
Judges at the 2026 Vegan Cheese Awards, from left to right: Jason Hay, Aaron Pucci, Tracy Berno, Franco Sessa, Tom Sainsbury.
Amanda Sorrenson
NZ Vegan Cheese Awards
Supreme Award
Cashbert Creamy Camembert
Special Mention
Let Them Eat Vegan – Smoked Gouda Spread
Commercial Cheddar
Gold – Veesey – Cheddar Slices
Silver – Nudairy – Cheddar Style Cheese Shreds
Bronze – Nudairy – Tasty Style Cheese
Commercial Flavoured Cheddar
Gold – Epic Foods – Peri Peri Chilli
Silver – Veesey – Tasty Slices Smoky & Bold
Bronze – Let Them Eat Vegan – Garlic
Herb Cheddar
Artisan Cheddar, Gouda & Hard Cheese
Gold – Let Them Eat Vegan – Onion Chive Cheddar
Silver – One Love Planet – Smoked Goudi
Bronze – Let Them Eat Vegan – Smoked Gouda
Mozzarella
Gold – Zenzo – Mozzarella
Silver – Epic Foods – Mozzarella Original
Bronze – Nudairy – Mozzarella Style Cheese Shreds
Feta
Gold – Epic Foods – Feta Original
Silver – Savour Vegan Creamery – Casheta Nude
Bronze – Savour Vegan Creamery – Casheta Marinated Feta
Plain Cream Cheese
Gold – Nudairy – Cream Cheese
Silver – One Love Planet – Chevie Dill & Pepper
No bronze place awarded.
Soft Cheese
Gold – Let Them Eat Vegan – Black Garlic Camembert
Silver – Savour Vegan Creamery – Savour Cotta
No bronze place awarded.
Cheeseboard Style
Gold – Savour Vegan Creamery – Chipotle
Silver – One Love Planet – Cumin Chilli Garlic Havarti
Bronze – Savour Vegan Creamery – Cumin
Brie, Camembert & Blue Style
Gold – Savour Vegan Creamery – Cashbert
Silver – One Love Planet – Bohemian Blue
Bronze – Let Them Eat Vegan – Black Garlic Camembert
Cheese Spreads
Gold – Let Them Eat Vegan – Smoked Gouda Spread
Silver – Let Them Eat Vegan – Cheddar Spread
Bronze – Savour Vegan Creamery Mint
https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/food/a-camembert-made-from-cashews-is-new-zealand-s-top-vegan-cheese
No comments:
Post a Comment