An innovative vision company.
Those Vegan Cowboys is a Belgian-Dutch company founded in 2019 by Dutch entrepreneurs Jaap Korteweg and Niko Koffeman, known for previously creating The Vegetarian Butcher. Their mission is clear: to develop animal-free dairy products using advanced precision fermentation techniques to produce casein, the essential protein in cheese-making.
Precision fermentation technology.
To replicate the characteristics of traditional cheese without the need to milk cows, Those Vegan Cowboys have developed an innovative “stainless steel cow” named Margaret. This bioreactor uses genetically modified microorganisms to produce casein identical to that of animal origin. Thanks to this breakthrough, it is possible to manufacture cheeses with flavor, texture, and melting properties comparable to conventional dairy products, but without using animals in the process.
A cheese that surpasses the traditional.
In 2024, the company announced that its animal-free casein not only matches but even surpasses bovine casein in certain aspects. In particular, they have achieved greater elasticity in cheeses like mozzarella, resulting in a more homogeneous texture and better melting capacity, which is essential for products like pizzas and fondues.
Beyond innovation in taste and texture, Those Vegan Cowboys’ production method requires fewer natural resources and generates a lower carbon footprint compared to the conventional dairy industry. By avoiding intensive livestock farming, their process significantly reduces CO₂ and methane emissions, the main greenhouse gases linked to milk production.
Collaborations and commercial expansion.
Those Vegan Cowboys have established strategic partnerships with cheese producers and Michelin-starred restaurant chefs to test and refine their products. Thanks to these collaborations, they have managed to adapt their vegan casein to different types of cheese, from soft and creamy varieties to aged and hard cheeses.
The future of animal-free cheese.
The official launch of their first cheeses made with precision fermentation is scheduled for 2025. These products will be available both under the Those Vegan Cowboys brand and through commercial partnerships with other food manufacturers.
Based in Ghent, Belgium, the company continues to push forward with the goal of revolutionizing the dairy industry, offering sustainable, ethical alternatives with all the flavor of traditional cheese. Their work proves that it is possible to enjoy authentic cheese without the need for livestock farming, marking the beginning of a new era in food production.
Is plant-based meat an ultra-processed food?
YES, if we want it to be called plant-based meat. The food industry has developed products that aim to replicate, with remarkable precision, the characteristics of animal meat: its texture, flavor, aroma, and appearance. To achieve this, most plant-based meats...
Plant-based meat vs. cultivated meat.
Alternatives to traditional meat: between plant-based and cultivated options. The debate on the future of sustainable food has placed plant-based meat and cultivated meat at the center of the conversation. Both alternatives aim to reduce environmental impact, improve...
What is cultivated leather?
Cultivated leather: a sustainable revolution in the industry. Cultivated leather is an innovative material created from cell cultures in a laboratory, without the need for animal breeding and slaughter. Through advanced biotechnological processes, a product is...
Cultivated pork: Uncommon ethical and sustainable innovation
Uncommon: innovation in cultivated meat for a sustainable future. Uncommon, formerly known as Higher Steaks, is a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, UK, that is revolutionizing the way meat is produced. Founded in 2018 and rebranded in 2023, Uncommon...
What are sweet proteins?
The future of sweeteners: sweet proteins through precision fermentation. Sugar has long been a key ingredient in food, but its impact on health has led to the search for healthier alternatives. Among them, sweet proteins obtained through precision fermentation have...
Asia-Pacific drives sustainability with cultivated meat.
Asia-Pacific and cultivated meat: A promising future. The Asia-Pacific region is positioning itself as a global leader in the adoption of cultivated meat, thanks to an innovative approach that balances sustainability, technology, and tradition. In a context where meat...
