Earlier this year, Philadelphia brand ironically launched their first plant-based cream cheese alternative in the U.K. Well, I’m happy to say that Philadelphia dairy-free cream cheese has come home, and is now available in the U.S. However, it’s quite different from the version across the pond. The packaging looks similar, but the shmear on the inside has a recipe all its own. Thanks to Knoxville Vegan Grocery for posting this!
Photo from Knoxville Vegan Grocery.
Philadelphia Dairy-Free Cream Cheese is Spreading Across the U.S.
There were many local sightings of Philadelphia dairy-free cream cheese before the company finally announced the release. Now that it is fully available, we have all of the details.
Original
Ingredients: water, coconut oil, modified potato starch, faba bean protein, contains less than 2% of salt, xanthan gum, carob bean gum, guar gum, lactic acid, sorbic acid as a preservative, citric acid, natural flavor.
Nutrition (per 2 tablespoons): 60 calories, 6g fat, 170mg sodium, 2g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g sugars (includes 0g added sugars), 0g protein.*
UK Version of Philadelphia Plant-Based Cream Cheese
In the United Kingdom, it contains the following ingredients: almond and oat preparation (water, almond protein 6%, gluten-free oat bran 3%), coconut oil, salt, stabiliser (locust bean gum), vegan culture.
More Facts on Philadelphia Dairy-Free Cream Cheese Alternative
- Price: $6.49 per 8-ounce tub
- Availability: Philadelphia Dairy-Free Cream Cheese has launched at Kroger stores in the U.S., primarily in the Southeast. They plan to roll it out to more stores across the nation in mid-2023.
- Certifications: Philadelphia Dairy-Free Cream Cheese is Certified Kosher Pareve.
- Dietary Notes: By ingredients, Philadelphia Dairy-Free Cream Cheese is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, and vegetarian.*
- For More Product Information: Visit the Philadelphia brand at www.myfoodandfamily.com.
*Always read the ingredient and nutrition statement prior to consumption. Ingredients, processes, and labeling are subject to change at any time for any company or product. Contact the company to discuss their manufacturing processes if potential allergen cross-contamination is an issue for you. No food product can be guaranteed “safe” for every individual’s needs. You should never rely on ingredient and allergen statements alone if dealing with a severe food allergy.
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What Others Are Saying ...
Bad taste & weird crusty layer on top
I really wanted to love this, but there are far better vegan cream cheese products out there. This one has a very off putting taste and the weird crusty layer on top is a disgusting texture in your mouth.
Shameless Cash Grab
Philadelphia vegan cream cheese is devoid of almost any flavor and leaves much to be desired. The texture is very solid and chunk like. It’s not spreadable unless your bagel is directly out of the toaster. However, when Philadelphia vegan cream cheese interacts with any heat, it just melts into a sopping puddle and is very unappetizing.
Save your excitement and money for any other vegan cream cheese that you may find in the store. Philadelphia’s attempt was a pitiful display of pandering to an audience they have no care for.
Not very good
It has the look of an off-white grey, the texture of solidified oils and a slight smell of modeling clay) not kidding). The taste matches this description also. It has a slight taste of what I imagine modeling clay to taste like crossed with margarine butter-like flavor.
Perfect!!
So great!
Sadly, Philly ND cream cheese misses the mark…
I am a native of Philadelphia and grew up eating Philadelphia cream cheese on bagels regularly. As an adult, I have adopted a dairy-free diet.
Naturally, I was excited to I learn that Philadelphia had produced a non-dairy cream cheese! I’ve finally had the opportunity to try the dairy-free cream cheese from Philadelphia. Sadly, my excitement is gone.
Although the green color of the packaging is appealing, the product misses the mark big time when compared with the taste and spreadability of traditional cream cheese.
It tastes more like butter than cream cheese. Also, it is stiff and clumpy, making it difficult to spread on bagels.
While it is unreasonable to expect a non-dairy cream cheese to be a spot-on match for the genuine article, I expected more from this brand. I am very disappointed and hope that Philadelphia revisits their recipe/production process.
FYI: After trying the non-dairy cream cheeses produced by Daiya, Violife, and Philadelphia, I would recommend Violife. The taste and spreadability of Violife ND cream cheese are the closest I’ve had to actual cream cheese.
(Surprisingly, similar ingredients are used in both the Philadelphia and Violife brands of ND cream cheese.)
Nice texture but poor taste
While I applaud the company for listening to the public and creating a plant based cream cheese, this product just plain tastes bad. Too salty and a weird aftertaste. Back to Tofutti for me…
Best Dairy Free Cream Cheese
I’m not sure why there are negative reviews. I have so many food allergies, and I have tried so many different dairy free items. Thank you Philadelphia! I love this cream cheese!!!! Obviously it’s going to have a different taste! It’s not dairy! I love it!!! It is the Best by far.
Zero stars, nasty taste and presence of xanthan gum kills this for me
A friend sent a few packages to me, I’m not in one of the selling market areas. Kudos to the company for trying, but the ingredient list is a non-starter for me (read up on how xanthan gum is made…) and the taste is off-putting. That gum will preclude me from using this product in my future.
Do better Philadelphia!
This does not taste like cream cheese at all! There is zero sweetness, which I expect from cream cheese. Also, it is not very spreadable. Very disappointed! Don’t people taste these products before they’re released?!
Awful
Was excited to try this but it tastes nothing like cream cheese. It has an almost over powering taste of butter. Would not purchase it again and am going to throw the rest of it out.
