So You Think You Can Tell Plant-Based Cheese from Dairy?

Bel Group partnered with TV personality Fred Sirieix to conduct a survey to determine if people can distinguish between dairy cheese and plant-based alternatives. The survey revealed that less than 10% of British adults could tell the difference. Despite claims of having adventurous palates, many individuals harbor biases against certain foods they have never tried, with vegan cheese being one of the top rejects.

As part of a marketing strategy to reinvent its Boursin brand and tap into the growing trend of at-home supper clubs, Bel Group is focusing on promoting its plant-based cheese options. Sales of vegan cheese have plateaued in the UK, leading Bel Group to shift its focus on core brands with non-dairy offerings and develop better-tasting, more nutritious vegan cheese through a collaboration with Avril, Lallemand, and Protial backed by a €9M investment. Through blind taste tests and education on health benefits, Bel Group aims to challenge preconceptions and encourage consumers to embrace new food experiences.