Rice cheese is a cheese substitute made from rice products. Lactose-free and soy-free, rice cheese is a product popular among consumers who are allergic to or choose not to consume dairy products. It's different from other cheese substitutes which typically are made from soy beans, making it an ideal for those with both a dairy and a soy allergy, or those who do not eat dairy but do favor soy cheeses.

Rice cheese is created from rice with casein, oils, and cheese-flavored seasonings. Casein is a milk protein, but is used in such small amounts that typically doesn't offend those with dairy allergies. Because of the miniscule amount of casein, rice cheese is usually billed as lactose-free. Casein is a protein much like gluten which is found in wheat products. It is used as a binding agent to hold the rice and oils together.

Rice cheese is typically found in gourmet grocers, health shops, or vegan-/vegetarian-focused food stores. It is often served in the refrigerated dairy section of these markets and comes in a variety of conventional flavors, including cheddar and mozzarella. Rice cheese is often sold in brick form for immediate cutting and consuming, but it can also be sold grated or pre-sliced.

Consumers are able to enjoy the taste of rice cheese just like regular cheeses. It can be melted, shredded, baked, and eaten straight just like any other type of cheese. For recipes that call for cheese, rice cheese can be substituted. This makes it even more ideal for those who at one point in their lives enjoyed the taste of cheese, but no longer consume dairy.

Rice cheese is distinctive for its smooth texture, which is much like thetexture of soy products like silken tofu, although rice cheese doesn't contain soy. It is different than other cheeses, including other cheese substitutes, because it has an added flavor of rice which many people enjoy.