The Winning Cheese of the 2024 Vegan Cheese Awards

mad cheese gouda vibes best overall vegan cheese 2024 awards

We have just announced this years vegan cheese awards for 2024 and what an amazing array of vegan cheeses on offer.

We have just announced this years vegan cheese awards for 2024 and what an amazing array of vegan cheeses on offer.

And in this article we will do a deep dive in to the overall winning cheese, which was the Mad Cheese Gouda Vibes.

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mad cheese gouda vibes vegan cheese with badge best gouda 2024

 

As well as winning the best overall vegan cheese of 2024 after getting the most votes in this years nominees, it also won the best gouda category too.

Made in Cincinati, Ohio, United States, this award winning cheese is made with a base of millet. A nutrient rich, environmentally friendly crop and when you learn about this artisanal vegan cheese brands values, you can see why they choose it.

It's smoky, creamy, firm and aged with a smoked sea salt rub.

This is a versatile vegan cheese, one that you can serve on a cheese board to slice and enjoy as it is, but is also ready to melt and added to the top of your favourite vegan burger or even a pasta dish.

What is Millet

What first sets this winning cheese a part from the rest of the nominees is it's base ingredient, millet.

Here you can find vegan cheeses in our database made with millet and as you can see there are only a handful out of the almost 2000 vegan cheeses available to buy today.

With only one other brand at the time of writing who make their vegan cheeses with this base ingredient.

It is a type of small seeded cereal grain and is actually a part of the grass family. It has some environmental benefits for growing due to its tolerance to droughts and grows well in drier and arid regions and has recently gained popularity in other regions for its health benefits.

You will usually find it being used for a variety of dishes, including salads, soups and even bread making and now you can see it in vegan cheese too.

Who Are Mad Cheese

Mad Cheese is run by Heather Donaldson, the owner and founder. A one lady team running an artisanal vegan cheese company from Ohio, United States. We'll include a snippet from their about page here so you can learn more about them.

In 2019, my husband and I decided to try a vegan diet for one week. We wanted to do more to help the environment (did you know that eliminating meat and dairy products from your diet is the single biggest thing you can do to help slow climate change?) and were hopeful that we would enjoy the food enough to make it our permanent way of eating.

Before going vegan, we both had a love for artisan cheeses and charcuterie. I wasn’t thrilled with the commercial vegan options available, so began researching how to create and age plant-based cheeses and meats at home. When the pandemic hit, we both ended up at home with no outside work. (My husband works in the film industry and we were living in Los Angeles). This gave me plenty of time to work on perfecting my recipes.

Mad Cheese was started in 2021, so only 3 years in business and we believe this is their first ever award!

 

What Other Cheeses Do They Make

Below we'll list all of the vegan cheese range that they create and sell online and you can see their range in our database of vegan cheese.

Average: 7 (1 vote)
Main ingredient
plant-based milk
water
pea protein blend of water and pea protein
sunflower oil
vitamin A palmitate
vitamin D2
vitamin B12 dha algal oil
tricalcuim phosphate
dippotassium phosphate
sunflower lecitin
sea salt
mixed tocopherols
natural flavor
guar gum
gellan gum
cashews
vegan yoghurt
filtered water
tapioca starch
locust bean gum
coconut cream
Live active cultures
coconut oil
kappa carrageenan
miso
soybeans
koji rice salt
potato starch
lemon juice
lactic acid
nutritional yeast
monosodium glutamate
dried jalapeno
spices
Average: 7 (1 vote)
Main ingredient
agar
artichoke hearts
black pepper
brown cane sugar
cherries
cherry preserves
cinnamon
cinsoy chili crisp
citric acid
coconut oil
Concentrated Lemon Juice
Dijon mustard
dippotassium phosphate
distilled vinegar
dried cherris
dried mango
fruit pectin
garlic
gellan gum
ginger
guar gum
koji rice salt
lactic acid
miso
mixed tocopherols
mustard seeds
natural flavor
nutritional yeast
pea protein blend of water and pea protein
plant-based milk
rice vinegar
salt
sea salt
seasonal chilis
sesame seeds
shitake mushrooms
sodium metabisulfate
soy sauce salt
soybean oil
soybeans
spices
star anise
sugar
sunflower lecitin
sunflower oil
sunflower seeds
szechuan pepper
tricalcuim phosphate
vitamin A palmitate
vitamin B12 dha algal oil
vitamin D2
water
Average: 7 (1 vote)
Main ingredient
filtered water
almond milk yoghurt
Almond Milk
water
almonds
starch
citrus fiber
locust bean gum
xanthan gum
Live active cultures
coconut oil
tapioca starch
dried shitake
sea salt
potato starch
kappa carrageenan
miso
soybeans
koji rice salt
psyllium seed husks
lactic acid
smoked sea salt
Average: 7 (1 vote)
Main ingredient
tofu
soy beans
nigari
coconut oil
filtered water
olive oil
sea salt
lemon juice
agar
white vinegar
onion powder
garlic powder
basil
oregano
Average: 7 (1 vote)
Main ingredient
tofu
soy beans
nigari
coconut oil
olive oil
white vinegar
apple cider vinegar
miso
koji rice salt
agar
sea salt
nutritional yeast
lactic acid
ascorbic acid
spices
Dijon mustard
water
mustard seeds
distilled vinegar
white wine
salt
citric acid
Average: 7 (1 vote)
Main ingredient
almond milk yoghurt
Almond Milk
water
almonds
starch citrus fiber
locust bean gum
xantham gum
Live active cultures
almond flour
filtered water
rice vinegar
sauerkraut
cabbage
salt
Dijon mustard
mustard seeds
distilled vinegar
white wine
citric acid
agar
sea salt
coconut oil
tapioca starch
nutritional yeast
garlic powder
white pepper
lactic acid
vegetable ash
Average: 7 (1 vote)
Main ingredient
filtered water
almond milk yoghurt
Almond Milk
water
almonds
starch
citrus fiber
locust bean gum
xanthan gum
Live active cultures
almond flour
coconut oil
saurkraut
cabbage
water
salt
Dijon mustard
mustard seeds
distilled vinegar
white wine
citric acid
rice vinegar
tapioca starch
sea salt
nutritional yeast
agar
herbs de provence
lactic acid
garlic powder
white pepper
Average: 7 (1 vote)
Main ingredient
almond milk yoghurt
Almond Milk
water
almonds
starch
citrus fiber
locust bean gum
xanthan gum
Live active cultures
cashews
filtered water
tapioca starch
sea salt
white vinegar
kappa carrageenan
nutritional yeast
miso
Organic Whole Soybeans
organic handmade rice koji
organic rice
koji spores aspergillus oryzae
sundried sea salt
blue ridge mtn well water
dried chickpeas
white pepper
Average: 7 (1 vote)
Main ingredient
agar
almond flour
Almond Milk
almond milk yoghurt
almonds
apple cider vinegar
cabbage
calcuim disodium edta
canola oil
citric acid
coconut oil
cornstarch
cultured vegan butter
cultures
dijon
distilled vinegar
dried red bell pepper
dried shitake
filtered water
kappa carrageenan
koji rice salt
lactic acid
lemon juice
Lemon Juice Concentrate
live and active cultures
locust bean gum
millet
miso
modified food starch of potato and corn
Mustard Seed
natural flavor
nutritional yeast
olive oil
organic cashews
organic coconut oil
organic cultured cashew milk
Organic Sunflower Lecithin
Organic Sunflower Oil
paprika oleoresin
pimento
rice vinegar
salt
sauerkraut
sea salt
sodium metabisulfite
soy beans
soybean oil
spices
sugar
tapioca starch
tomato paste
vegan mayonnaise
water
Average: 7 (1 vote)
Main ingredient
Pea Milk
water
pea protein
cane sugar
sunflower oil
vitamin A palmitate
vitamin D
vitamin b12
tricalcium phosphate
dippotassium phosphate
sunflower lecitin
natural flavor
sea salt
guar gum
gellan gum
hearts of palm
citric acid
coconut oil
olive oil
tapioca flour
miso
organic while soybeans
organic homemade rice koji
organic rice
koji spores aspergillus oryzae
sundried sea salt
blue ridge mtn well water
lemon juice
dried onion agar
lactic acid
Average: 7 (1 vote)
Main ingredient
millet
filtered water
coconut oil
cultured vegan butter
organic coconut oil
organic cultured cashew milk
organic cashews
cultures
Organic Sunflower Oil
Organic Sunflower Lecithin
sea salt
olive oil
lemon juice
miso
soy beans
koji rice salt
apple cider vinegar
Himalayan sea salt
nutritional yeast
kappa carrageenan
dried red bell pepper
tomato paste
Dijon mustard
water
Mustard Seed
distilled vinegar
salt
citric acid
sodium meatbisulfite
spices
lactic acid from sugar beets
dried red onion
dried shitake mushrooms
sesame seeds
Average: 7 (1 vote)
Main ingredient
millet
filtered water
coconut oil
cultured vegan butter
organic coconut oil
organic cultured cashew milk
organic cashews
cultures
Organic Sunflower Oil
Organic Sunflower Lecithin
sea salt
olive oil
lemon juice
miso
organic whole soy beans
organic homemade rice koji
organic rice
koji spores aspergillus oryzae
koji rice salt
sundried sea salt
blue ridge mtn well water
nutritional yeast
tahini
roast sesame seeds
olive oil
truffle oil
black summer truffles
truffle flavoring
kappa carrageenan
apple cider vinegar
smoked sea salt
Dried Red Pepper
sea salt
black sea salt
white pepper
ground mustard
Dijon mustard
water
Mustard Seed
distilled vinegar
salt
citric acid
sodium meatbisulfite
spices
lactic acid from sugar beets
dried red onion
dried shitake mushrooms
sesame seeds
Best Overall Vegan Cheese of 2024 Trophy
Best Gouda Vegan Cheese of 2024
Average: 9.3 (3 votes)
Main ingredient
filtered water
millet
coconut oil
miso
organic whole soy beans
organic rice koji spores aspergillus oryzae
sundried sea salt
blue ridge mtn well water
tahini of pure roasted sesame
vegan white wine
nutritional yeast
mirin
corn syrup
high fructose corn syrup
water fermented rice seasoning
water
rice
alcohol
salt
vinegar
benzoate
smoked paprika
smoked sea salt
organic apple cider vinegar
koji rice salt
apple cider vinegar
Dijon mustard
Mustard Seed
distilled vinegar
white wine
citric acid
kappa carrageenan
lactic acid
Average: 7 (1 vote)
Main ingredient
cashews
filtered water
vegan cultures
coconut oil
sea salt
Average: 7 (1 vote)
Main ingredient
cashews
filtered water
coconut oil
vegan cultures
papain
Average: 7 (1 vote)
Main ingredient
almond milk yoghurt
Almond Milk
almonds
water
corn starch
locust bean gum
live and active cultures
bifidobacterium
l.acidophilus
l.bulgaricus
l.paracasei
s.thermophilus
bb-12
almond flour
filtered water
rice vinegar
sauerkraut
cabbage
salt
Dijon mustard
mustard seeds
distilled vinegar
white wine
citric acid
agar
sea salt
coconut oil
tapioca starch
dried red onion
maple syrup
nutritional yeast
cinnamon
spices
lactic acid
Average: 7 (1 vote)
Main ingredient
almond milk yoghurt
Almond Milk
almonds
water
corn starch
locust bean gum
live and active cultures
bifidobacterium
l.acidophilus
l.bulgaricus
l.paracasei
s.thermophilus
bb-12
almond flour
filtered water
rice vinegar
sauerkraut
cabbage
salt
Dijon mustard
mustard seeds
distilled vinegar
white wine
citric acid
agar
sea salt
coconut oil
tapioca starch
dried red onion
dried green onion
nutritional yeast
spices
lactic acid
Average: 7 (1 vote)
Main ingredient
almond milk yoghurt
Almond Milk
almonds
water
corn starch
locust bean gum
live and active cultures
bifidobacterium
l.acidophilus
l.bulgaricus
l.paracasei
s.thermophilus
bb-12
almond flour
filtered water
rice vinegar
sauerkraut
cabbage
salt
Dijon mustard
mustard seeds
distilled vinegar
white wine
citric acid
agar
sea salt
cherry preserves
cherries
sugar
brown cane sugar
Concentrated Lemon Juice
fruit pectin
cinsoy chili crisp
soybean oil
garlic
seasonal chilies
ginger
shitake mushrooms
szechuan pepper
sesame seeds
star anise
cinnamon
soy sauce
salt
black pepper
agar
sea salt
coconut oil
tapioca starch
nutritional yeast
spices
lactic acid
Average: 7 (1 vote)
Main ingredient
almond milk yoghurt
Almond Milk
almonds
water
corn starch
locust bean gum
live and active cultures
bifidobacterium
l.acidophilus
l.bulgaricus
l.paracasei
s.thermophilus
bb-12
almond flour
filtered water
rice vinegar
sauerkraut
cabbage
salt
Dijon mustard
mustard seeds
distilled vinegar
white wine
citric acid
agar
sea salt
coconut oil
tapioca starch
nutritional yeast
spices
lactic acid

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Discover Other Vegan Cheeses

Thinking of going vegan but finding it hard to quit dairy cheese?

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Go check it out as we're sure you can find a new favorite or first vegan cheese that you love!