Production

• Soaked, ground, and strained soybeans produce a product known as soy milk, which can be processed into soy cheese.

Types

• Like dairy cheese, soy cheese is available in blocks, sticks and slices as well as pre-shredded varieties. The most common flavors of soy cheese are American, Cheddar and Mozzarella.

Use

• Soy cheese is a dairy alternative for vegans, a type of vegetarian that does not eat any products that come from animals. Soy cheese is also a good source of protein for vegetarians, explains the Vegetarian Journal.

Nutrition

• Some varieties of soy cheese contain as much as 10 percent of the daily recommended values of Vitamins A and E and 15 percent of a day's calcium supply in one serving, reports the U.S. Soyfoods Directory.

Benefits

• The phytochemicals contained in soy cheese are capable of lowering cholesterol levels and may reduce the risk of heart disease, according to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.