Vegan cheese in India has quietly become good. Five years ago the options were imported, expensive and rubbery; today Indian makers produce cashew-based wheels, melting mozzarella and cheddar-style slices that hold their own on a pizza or a cheese board. This guide compares what's actually available to buy online in India right now, and how to pick the right one for the job.
What is vegan cheese made of?
Most vegan cheese in India is built on one of three bases. Cashew gives the richest, most fermented flavour — closest to real cheese culture — and is the base of most artisan wheels and spreads. Coconut oil + starch is what makes vegan cheese melt and stretch, so mozzarella-style shreds and pizza cheeses usually rely on it. Soy shows up in slices and blocks. None of them contain casein, whey, lactose or animal rennet — worth knowing because many "vegetarian" cheeses in India still use dairy protein.
The vegan cheese ranges available at EarthBased
Soft Spot — the melt specialists
Soft Spot makes the closest thing to dairy-behaviour cheese in our range: mozzarella and soft mozzarella for pizza and pasta, cheddar and smoked cheddar for toasties and burgers, parmezan for grating, Double Chill chilli cheese, cheese spreads (plain, smoked garlic, truffle), and a salted butter that has become one of our steady best sellers. There's also a parmezan + mozzarella combo if you want both workhorses in one order. If your first question is "will it melt on a pizza?", start here — or browse the full Soft Spot range.
Millie's — the flavour range
Millie's takes the artisan route: Creamy Original, Fresh Melty Mozzarella, Garlic & Pink Himalayan Salt, Rosemary, Thyme & Oregano, Burnt Red Chilli & Garlic, White Truffle Oil, the Gujarati-inspired Methiyano Masalo, plus garlic butter and salted butter. The cheese wheels (sundried tomato, crushed pepper, chilli garlic) are made for boards and gifting.
Which vegan cheese for which job?
| Use | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Pizza / pasta bake | Soft Spot mozzarella, Millie's Fresh Melty Mozzarella | Formulated to melt and stretch under heat |
| Sandwiches / toasties | Soft Spot cheddar or smoked cheddar | Firm slice, sharp flavour, melts slowly |
| Cheese board / gifting | Millie's wheels (sundried tomato, crushed pepper) | Cashew richness, meant to be eaten cold |
| Wraps, crackers, bagels | Millie's Creamy Original or Soft Spot garlic spread | Spreadable, high flavour |
| Pasta / salads topping | Soft Spot parmezan | Grates and crumbles like the original |
How to choose (and what to check on the label)
Check the base first: nut-based means richer flavour but check allergens; coconut-oil-based means better melt but higher saturated fat. Check storage — vegan cheese dries faster than dairy once opened, so wrap tightly and use within the stated window. And check the price per 100g rather than per pack, since pack sizes vary widely between brands.
Frequently asked questions
Does vegan cheese melt like normal cheese?
Some does. Mozzarella-style vegan cheeses built on coconut oil and starch melt and stretch under heat. Cashew-based wheels and spreads generally do not melt — they soften. Check the product description before buying for pizza.
Is vegan cheese healthy?
It is cholesterol-free and lactose-free, which matters if you are lactose intolerant (a majority of Indian adults are, to some degree). Coconut-oil-based cheeses can be high in saturated fat, so treat them like any indulgence. Cashew-based versions bring some protein and minerals.
What is the best vegan cheese for pizza in India?
A mozzarella-style vegan cheese designed to melt — in our range, Soft Spot mozzarella or Millie's Fresh Melty Mozzarella. Shred or slice thin, and add it a few minutes before the pizza finishes for the best stretch.
Is vegan cheese lactose-free?
Yes — all vegan cheese is 100% lactose-free, casein-free and whey-free, because it contains no milk in any form.
How long does vegan cheese last?
Unopened, follow the pack date. Opened, most vegan cheeses keep 5–10 days refrigerated in an airtight wrap. Cashew wheels are best eaten within a week.
Shop the full range: Vegan Cheese in India at EarthBased · Soft Spot Vegan Cheese & Butter · Millie's Vegan Cheese · All Dairy Alternatives
Related reading: Lactose Intolerance in India: Best Dairy-Free Alternatives · 10 Best Plant-Based Milks in India