Ste Martaen Gourmet Cheeses are a Delightful Vegan Alternative

I first learned about Ste Martaen Gourmet Cheese Alternatives on Twitter, of all places, and I'm glad that I did. These tasty semi-soft vegan cheeses are available in Muenster, Pepper Jack, Smoked Gouda, Colby, and Olive varieties. They're a great soy-free option made with simple ingredients: purified water, agar, organic cashews, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, tahini, sea salt, and spices. Am I going to tell you that they taste just like real cheese? Of course, not. I'm not aware of any non-dairy cheese that perfectly mimics the flavors achieved from the curdled milk of cows, sheep, goats, or other mammals. (And that's a good thing in my opinion.) But just like the Feta and Bleu Cheeses made by Sunergia Foods that I love so much and Daiya's Mozzarella and Cheddar cheeses, Ste Martaen vegan cheeses offer even more versatility in the kitchen and add new palate-pleasing pleasure to everyday vegan meal-planning.


I thought that the Meunster was a beautiful thing to behold! These cheeses shred and slice wonderfully.


And the Smoked Gouda made a delicious cheeseburger. That's a gluten-free Chez Gourmet Oregon Harvest Veggi Patti, (my new favorite go-to burgers), on a Dave's Killer Bread Blues Bun and yes, I do like ketchup!


Last Saturday I treated myself to a delightfully light, picnic-style lunch, which I actually did bring outdoors to enjoy, since the weather was exquisite! All of the Ste Martaen cheeses paired beautifully with Dr. Kracker Seeded Spelt Flatbread Crackers. A handful of farmer's market-fresh strawberries, a small bunch of green grapes, and a glass of vegan Radical Red Wine from The Organic Wine Works rounded out the meal.


I decided to surprise Mark last night and made a huge plate of nachos with Trader Joe's Veggie & Flaxseed Tortilla Chips and Ste Martaen Colby and Smoked Gouda cheeses. We both enjoyed the gooey goodness of the Nacho Cheese Sauce, and you can find the recipe here.


If you're lucky enough to live in Chicago, you'll find Ste Martaen Gourmet Cheeses at Whole Foods, Bonne Sante, and True Nature Foods. Otherwise, you can order them online direct from Ste Martaen.

Tasty Update: Mention this post with your first order, and Ste Martaen will send you one free cheese!

Tasty Update #2: New vegan cheese companies are sprouting up like bean sprouts! Check out: Miyoko's Kitchen and Vtopian for vegan aritisan cheeses that are so sensational, even your dairy-consuming friends will be amazed!