A Plant-Based Cream Cheese Spread is Coming Soon from Philadelphia | Kitchn

Philadelphia Is Launching a Plant-Based Cream Cheese Option Soonby Aly WalanskyAly WalanskyAly Walansky is a New York City-based food and travel writer. Her work has been seen on Today.com, Forbes, AllRecipes, Food Network, and many more. When she’s not working, she loves to cook, try out fun cocktail bars, and play with her adorable puppies.Cream cheese is among the most versatile of ingredients. It is delightful as a spread with smoked salmon on a bagel, but it’s also a perfect addition to dips and a central ingredient in other favorites like cheesecake. But for those who don’t eat dairy, their cream cheese alternative options have sometimes been few and far between.Now, Philadelphia — one of the most recognizable names in cream cheese — has launched a new plant-based option to give cream cheese fans a bit more access to the desired item. Delivering the same creamy texture and taste of the traditional option, the new Philadelphia Plant-Based Spread is one that is sure to get a lot of attention.“The influx of flexitarian consumers has driven growth within the plant-based market, which is now more than 20x the size of the vegan population,” said Robert Scott, president of research & development at The Kraft Heinz Company, in a press release. “As the brand that has set the cream cheese standard for 150 years, we realized the current options weren’t meeting consumer expectations and there was no trusted leader. Philadelphia Plant-Based spread not only provides a solution that mirrors the taste and texture of our iconic Philadelphia brand, but it also reinforces Kraft Heinz’s bet to bring plant-based offerings to the masses.”Unfortunately, most consumers won’t be able to have a taste in time for the holidays. The Philadelphia Plant-Based Spread is currently available at select retailers in the Southeast U.S, with a national rollout and additional flavors planned for summer 2023.If you are looking for a cream cheese substitute to enjoy right now, though, there are some interesting options to try — both for those who are plant-based and those who aren’t.