Vegan Food News of the Week: Fluffy Cloud Butter, New Macaron Shop, and More

It seems like every week the news in the vegan food world is more exciting than the last and this week is no exception. Monty’s NYC has revolutionized vegan butter with a cloud-like fluffy texture that we can’t get enough of. In LA, a new vegan macaron shop has opened to satisfy all your French patisserie needs. And a bevy of new vegan milk chocolate bars and mac and cheeses are hitting stores. Read on for more.

1Dairy-free cloud butter

Vegan brand Monty’s NYC is doing some incredible things with butter and cheese. The company has just launched new dairy-free products made with simple ingredients but puffed up into a cloud-like texture (using a proprietary process) to provide a whole new eating experience.

Monty’s NYC

Its cloud butter is made with organic coconut oil, almond oil, cashews (and lots of them), and sea salt. The company offers both original and cultured cloud butter packaged in paper cups.

“Our new cultured butter contains a cultured cashew cream for an extra tangy buttery bite, better than real butter … for so many reasons,” founder Lauren Montgomery told VegNews.

The company’s cloud butter is a star ingredient in the new (and soon-to-be-iconic) vegan cookie at Levain Bakery in NYC—a 6-ounce treat dotted with walnuts and semisweet vegan chocolate chips.

In fact, Montgomery increased production of vegan butter because he wanted to provide “only the highest quality plant-based butter for these chocolate chip cookie connoisseurs.”

In addition to Cloud Butter, Monty’s NYC Original offers squeezable Cloud Cheese in Scallion and Truffle Rosemary flavors, available for purchase through its website.

2Dairy-free milk chocolate abounds

It’s 2023 and those looking for milk chocolate are no longer limited to dairy-based concoctions. And the selection is only growing. Case in point? Canadian brand Camino—which has been selling fair-trade chocolate since 1999—just launched two vegan milk chocolate bars: Hazelnuts and Salted Caramel and Creamy Chocolate-Oat online and where its products are sold.

“Canadian consumers are increasingly demanding alternatives to dairy products, whether for health reasons, animal welfare or environmental concerns,” said Melanie Brogett, Camino’s marketing and new product development manager, in a statement. “These two oat milk-based chocolate bars deliver full flavor without compromise.”

7th heaven

Want more vegan milk chocolate? Israel-based brand 7th Heaven announced this week that it is bringing a selection of its popular chocolates to the US, with national distribution plans underway, starting with local retailers in Florida, Los Angeles and New York.

Founded by vegan couple Daniel Burkett and Elia Adi, the chocolates are made from cocoa, soy and coconut and are available in nine flavors including peanut butter and cornflakes; Caramelized coconut; Pistachio and halva cream; and more

“We are thrilled to bring 7th Heaven Chocolate to the United States,” Malanda Miklik, vice president of sales, said in a statement. “Our mission is to make dairy-free chocolate desirable, irresistible and accessible, and we can’t wait to hear what people think. It’s amazingly delicious, we promise.”

3LA’s newest vegan macaron shop

Macarons are one of those treats that hit the spot every time. However, most are made with egg whites, which are key to achieving their telltale texture. But vegetarian versions of these little cookies have come a long way, with shops nationwide dedicated to macarons.

This week, Los Angeles got another vegan macaron shop with the opening of Veran in downtown. Founded by Shera Fournier, the business previously operated mostly online with pop-ups at events like Vegan Exchange.

Veron

Fournier’s first brick-and-mortar store features a selection of 18 different flavors such as Earl Grey, Chocolate, Lavender, Guava, Kiwi and limited edition monthly flavors.

Veron’s vegan macarons are made with a vegetable starch blend in place of eggs, and the shop offers gift bundles, macaron trees and more.

4Sluti is the new vegan cheese

At Slutty Vegan, it seems the excitement never lets up. This week, owner Pinky Cole was announced as the newly revived “Beauty of the Week” covergirl. Jet MagazineA cultural phenomenon that stopped printing operations in 2014.

“This moment is very personal and special to me because in many ways, JET has helped shape who I want to be and who I am now,” Cole said in a statement. “When I look back at myself as a child, I want every little girl out there to know that dreams really do come true.”

Slutty Vegan

And as always, Cole’s is also keeping exciting things in store with the debut of a new vegan cheese on its super popular burger. Available in American-style slices, this processed cheese is made by Korean company Armored Fresh with plant-based lactic acid, almond milk and protein.

“We’re honored that Slutty Vegan has chosen Armored Fresh to top their carefully crafted vegan burgers,” Rudy Yu, Armored Fresh’s founder and CEO, said in a statement. “With the mission of supporting our community and dedication to making plant-based options accessible at the forefront of both brands, the partnership was a perfect match.”

5Moving vegan mac and cheese

More cheese? You understand. This week, Banza expanded its existing mac and cheese line to include a new vegan deluxe mac and cheese made with chickpea-based pasta and a delicious dairy-free cheese sauce. If you’re a protein junkie, Banza says it has three times the protein, fiber and 30-percent fewer calories than other vegan macs on the market. Find it at Whole Foods Markets nationwide.

More of a sprout shopper? You’ve got a new vegan mac and cheese on the shelves, as well, thanks to GrownAs* Foods. At 380 Sprouts nationwide, you can now find kid-friendly Macs in Classic and Truffle flavors.

As large* food

Vegan mac and cheese sprouts are included in the new display format, called “Innovation Centers” that spotlight new brands.

“This new format is also leveling the playing field within the grocery industry, not only making it possible for smaller brands like GrownAs* to expand their footprint, but also making it easier for consumers to try new products that align with their core values,” said David Delcourt, GrownAs*. Foods’ Chief of Flavor, said in a statement. “We can’t wait to see GrownAs* on Sprout’s shelves.”