by Christine Pesta
Cream cheese is a serious business with me. I love a good bagel and cream cheese combo just like the next person, but once I became vegan, one of the first things I wondered about was if I’d find a non-dairy cream cheese that could duplicate the taste and texture of that magical stuff I savored with my everything bagel and a cup of coffee to start many of my mornings.
I tried one or two that were “okay” and one that was absolutely vile. Then came Trader Joe’s Vegan Cream Cheese Alternative.
When I opened the container I had my doubts, thinking back to those others that didn’t quite cut it. As the spreader sank in, and as I spread it on the bagel, I started to get a little excited. Then I tasted it. I was a believer! I became a devoted follower on the spot. I had found my cream cheese “alternative”.
The tang, the texture, the look on the bread; it had it all. I then put the toppings I usually enjoy on the bagel and savored every bite. I have remained loyal to the brand ever since.
An added plus to the tasty treat is the budget-friendly price. I find it particularly helpful to those just adopting the vegan lifestyle, and wanting to eat healthier without busting their budget to do so. It might also help convince those who like to argue that eating vegan is expensive, that it doesn’t have to be.
I highly recommend giving this vegan cream cheese a try if you’ve struck out lately in trying to find the right one for you. I think you’ll find it a great substitute for the dairy version, and a satisfying addition to your morning breakfast ritual.
Christine Pesta is a writer, and the owner and Executive Editor of Live Your Life Vegan. You can follow her here, on Live Your Life Vegan, where she contributes regularly, as well as on social media.