Taste and Texture: A Direct Comparison
Taste is highly subjective, but general consumer feedback and taste tests reveal some key differences between Violife and Follow Your Heart. Violife products are often described as having a milder flavor profile, making them a versatile, all-purpose option that doesn't overpower other ingredients. However, some reviewers find certain Violife varieties, like their feta, to be too creamy and lack the tang of its dairy counterpart. Follow Your Heart (FYH), on the other hand, is frequently praised for its more authentic cheesy flavor, with specific products like their smoked gouda slices and feta crumbles receiving high marks for taste.
Texture is another point of divergence. Violife's shreds and slices are known for being soft and gooey when melted. While they melt well, the texture can sometimes be described as "plasticky" or too mild for some users. FYH offers a variety of textures depending on the product, from the crumbly feta to mozzarella shreds that are denser and more substantial than many other vegan options. For dishes where a more authentic, fibrous texture is desired, FYH is often the preferred choice.
Melting Performance for Cooking and Baking
One of the most important considerations for vegan cheese is how it performs when heated. For many years, melting was the main challenge for dairy-free cheese producers. Today, both Violife and Follow Your Heart have developed products that melt well, but with some variations in outcome.
Melting on Pizza
- Follow Your Heart Shreds: Often favored for pizza due to their ability to melt and achieve some degree of stretchiness, more so than Violife. Reviewers note that FYH shredded mozzarella can create a more traditional pizza look and texture, though it can also become a bit greasy.
- Violife Shreds: Melts very well and becomes gooey, but the individual shred shape might remain visible, and it doesn't offer as much stretch as FYH. It's a reliable choice but may produce a more "melted sauce" texture rather than a stringy, cheesy pull.
Melting for Grilled Cheese
- Follow Your Heart Slices: The Smoked Gouda slices are particularly lauded for their excellent taste, stretch, and melt, making them a top contender for the perfect vegan grilled cheese. Some varieties, like their American slices, may be slower to melt.
- Violife Slices: Melt quickly and effectively, creating a gooey texture. While the melt is impressive, some find the flavor too mild for a standout grilled cheese sandwich.
Product Variety and Availability
Both Violife and Follow Your Heart offer an extensive range of products, catering to a wide array of culinary applications.
Violife:
- A very wide international presence, making it readily available in many grocery stores worldwide.
- Includes blocks, slices, shreds, and specialty items like feta, parmesan, and cream cheese alternatives.
- Well-known for its creamy textures and variety of flavor options.
Follow Your Heart:
- Strong presence in the US and Canada, with a focus on core cheese products like shreds, slices, and parmesan, along with other vegan items like Vegenaise.
- Products often emphasize a more authentic cheesy flavor and texture.
- Specific standouts include their feta crumbles and smoked gouda slices.
Ingredients and Allergens
For those with specific dietary concerns, the ingredients used by each brand are a critical factor.
Violife:
- Primarily made from coconut oil, modified starches, and other plant-based ingredients.
- Often praised for being free from major allergens like soy, nuts, and casein, making it a safe choice for many consumers with allergies.
- It is approved by the Vegan Society.
Follow Your Heart:
- Also uses a base of coconut oil and starches for most cheese products.
- Some specific products, like the Mozzarella Made With Organic Soy Block, contain soy, so it's important to check individual labels.
- Their website provides comprehensive allergen charts detailing potential traces of top allergens in their facilities and products.
Violife vs. Follow Your Heart: At a Glance
| Feature | Violife | Follow Your Heart |
|---|---|---|
| Taste | Mild, versatile, sometimes described as creamy or lacking sharp flavor. | Stronger, more authentic cheesy flavor in many varieties like smoked gouda and feta. |
| Melting | Melts very well and quickly into a gooey texture; less stretch on pizza. | Melts well, with some products offering better stretch for applications like pizza and grilled cheese. |
| Texture | Generally soft and gooey when melted, with some describing it as slightly "plasticky". | Varies by product, but often noted for being closer to dairy cheese texture, with crumbly feta and denser mozzarella shreds. |
| Product Range | Very broad selection including blocks, slices, shreds, parmesan, and cream cheese alternatives. | Excellent range covering slices, shreds, and specialty items like feta, though slightly less extensive than Violife. |
| Availability | Excellent, with broad international and US distribution. | Strong US presence, but availability can be more regional compared to Violife. |
| Allergens | Generally free from common allergens like soy and nuts; always check the label. | Most cheese products are allergen-free, but some contain soy; comprehensive allergen info on their site. |
Conclusion
Deciding which is better, Violife or Follow Your Heart, depends heavily on the specific application and personal taste preference. For versatility, broad availability, and a safer option for common allergens like soy, Violife is a strong contender. Its mild flavor and reliable melt make it a good all-purpose vegan cheese. However, if you are looking for a more robust, authentic cheesy flavor, and better stretch for dishes like pizza and grilled cheese, Follow Your Heart often edges out the competition. Their product-specific formulations can offer a more dairy-like experience, though it's important to check allergen information for those with soy sensitivities. Ultimately, the best way to determine your favorite is to try both and see which one satisfies your specific culinary cravings. For more detailed reviews, check out reliable vegan food blogs like Rainbow Plant Life.
