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Tokyo VEG LIFE Faux-mage is a 100% vegan cheese that launched back in April of this year. The cheese is made using completely naturally derived, domestic or organically imported ingredients, and the brand behind it is fully committed to sustainable production and delivery.
Since the brand’s launch earlier this year, many people, including some of Tokyo’s top chefs have tasted and approved the cheese at various POP UP events and limited-edition sales.
The faux-mage is breaking down boundaries by being a gourmet hit amongst both vegans and non-vegans, and with it’s popularity continuing to soar, the brand has decided it’s time more people heard about it.
To introduce the cheese to wider society, the brand is planning to open a semi-regular pop-up store in the Hanzomon area from World Vegan Day, on the 1st of November. If you want to keep one foot ahead, however, a pre-opening event will be showcasing the cheese at TOKYO SANDO Hanzomon on the 30th and 31st of October.
In addition to three basic types of Tokyo VEG LIFE Faux-mage; Creamy Heaven, Love Melt and Shinshu Secret, you will also be able to pre-order and receive the brand’s premium faux-mage selection, and try the event-limited tasting set.
To avoid congestion, the event will hold a strict no-eat-in policy, with all faux-mage sold on the day being available for take-out only.
The products on sale will be limited in number, and when sold out, will not be replenished. On a related note, priority for products will be given to those who have made reservations in advance through the Tokyo VEG LIFE Faux-mage official website.
Tokyo VEG LIFE Faux-mage Pre-Open event
Date: Oct 30-31
Time: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: TOKYO SANDO, 3-1-8 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Below is a brief introduction to the TOKYO VEG LIFE faux-mage product debut and premium collection.
Creamy Heaven
This creamy faux-mage vegan cheese owes its refreshing taste to the acidity of lemon juice, which is added to aid in fermentation.
The cheese is perfect for spreading on bread or crackers as it is, or you can mix it with herbs and spices for a boost in flavor.
Pairs with: White wine or sake
Love Melt
The fermentation of this vegan cheese leaves it with a smooth melt-in-the-mouth texture, a rich, creamy body and a sharp, strong flavor. A melty vegan cheese, Love Melt is a great choice for the filling of a hot sandwich, or as the topping on a slice of morning toast.
Pairs with: White wine or sparkling wine
Shinshu Secret
Made using a harmony of ingredients unique to Shinshu, this vegan cheese is characterized by a strong, salty and deep fermented taste due to aging. With such a strong flavor palette Shinshu Secret is best enjoyed alongside crackers and dried fruits.
Pairs with: Full-bodied red wine
Premium Smoky One
A smoked vegan cheese dotted with cherry chips. The Smoky One is characterised by its smooth melt-in-the-mouth richness and strong flavor brought about by the aging process. Within the mellow scented crust is contained a melty textured faux-mage featuring a smooth and milky flavor.
Premium Dessert faux-mage
This baked faux-mage is a great show-stopping finale for any meal. No refined sugar is used in the production, with only the natural sugar of grated domestic apples adding sweetness to the dish.
It can be enjoyed as it is, or for a change of flavor, combine it with granola, jam and/or dried fruits.
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- External Link
- https://grapee.jp/en/
23 Comments
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Pukey2
wobot:
Because most vegans weren't so when they were child and grew up on meat and dairy. They had no choice and they grew used to the taste of them. Sooner or later they find out the cruelty involved in the meat and dairy industry and also realize those sort of food aren't healthy. That's why we have these analogs.
No, they can't stomach the reality of the slaughterhouses and the cruelty inflicted on animals. That's why many of us are vegans.
englisc:
You're going to have a heart attack when I tell you about coconut milk and peanut butter not being dairy products.
Mickelicious
Either a typo, naivety, extreme shysterism, or they're bringing their stuff in by sailboat, smuggler style.
Pukey2
Tokyo-m:
Violife is now available in Japan. I've just bought some (slices and cream 'cheese') although I haven't opened them yet. The prices aren't too bad.
englisc aspyrgend
If it isn’t made from milk it’s not cheese.
I agree with Wobot, if you are vegan accept the fact and stop pretending.
Alfie Noakes
Marmite is your friend, although it's fortified with B12 and an acquired taste.
https://alzheimersnewstoday.com/2017/04/11/high-levels-vitamin-b12-marmite-helps-prevent-dementia-alzheimers/
akadake
Vegan cheese is fake cheese. The interest will fade in a year or so.
The best cheese comes from Greece and Italy (goat/sheep milk) 3000+ years of tradition. Spanish cheese is great too. Modern French cheese is generally too fatty.
englisc aspyrgend
akadake, you should try British regional cheeses, we produce more varieties than even France and they are brilliant!
starpunk
Vegan = flavor free. Many people in my extended family grew up on farms and they know that animals need to be milked. Dairy products are essential for our food, just like meat is.
This vegan stuff is for the birds. When I was a tween, the word 'Vegan' meant you came from a planet orbiting the bright summertime star Vega.
I'll pass.
snowymountainhell
These look good and good sized @Tokyo-m 10:25am comparing the size of the cheese blocks to the knife, plate & cutting board kin the video.
“Thanks” for tofu cheese idea. Can the same be experimented with okara? (It makes a really good, inexpensive “hummus” since chick peas are so expensive here in Japan.
snowymountainhell
Will Vegemite work? @AlfieNoakes 9:03pm. That’s all the local Kaldi or Seiyu has. (B1,2,3, folate… but doesn’t say B12)
https://alzheimersnewstoday.com/2017/04/11/high-levels-vitamin-b12-marmite-helps-prevent-dementia-alzheimers/
snowymountainhell
Sounds good for that B12 @Yukijin 9:28pm …but aren’t you afraid the “vegan police” will next say: “real vegans” don’t shop at Costco!”
*@Yukijin 9:28pm: “**Kirkland almond milk from costco is fortified with b12. 1 cup gives you 50% daily requirement.*”akadake
I also love cheese from Eastern Europe: Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia. Unique and wonderful. And Middle East: Turkey, Cyprus, Armenia, Georgia! Before thinking of fake vegan cheese - experience what mankind achieved with real product.
snowymountainhell
It was a lighthearted joke, ‘mate !! - Obviously someone was offended by the term “vegan police”. It’s a reference from Edgar Wrights’ Scott Pilgrim vs The World (2010) and points out the ‘sometimes’, hypocritical instances of trying to force a strict lifestyle on others when anyone should have free choice to determine their own course in life, despite knowledge of any potential health risks.
Yukijin
Kirkland almond milk from costco is fortified with b12. 1 cup gives you 50% daily requirement.
akadake
I am not very familiar with British cheeses except STILTON (wonderful!) and Shropshire (fantastic!).
Pukey2
typo:
child - children