What Is Forager Project Cashewmilk Yogurt?
Forager Project built its name on short-ingredient-list, no-gums-added plant foods, and its Cashewmilk Yogurt (formerly branded "Cashewgurt") is one of the more minimalist dairy-free yogurts on shelves. The Unsweetened Plain version leans into that positioning hard: organic cashews, organic coconut cream, and live active cultures, with no added sugar, no artificial flavors, and no dairy of any kind. It's sold in single-serve 5.3 oz cups and 24 oz tubs, is Non-GMO Project Verified and USDA Organic certified, and is stocked at most natural grocery chains (Whole Foods, Sprouts, Fresh Thyme) as well as many conventional supermarkets.
Cashew-based yogurts occupy a specific niche: they're generally creamier and more neutral-tasting than coconut or almond yogurts, but they also tend to be lower in protein than soy-based yogurts, since cashews aren't a particularly protein-dense nut to begin with. We looked at the ingredient list, checked it against three other dairy-free yogurts, and tasted it plain and mixed into a bowl to see whether it earns its premium natural-grocery price tag.
The brand's pitch has always centered on avoiding the long stabilizer lists common in the dairy-free yogurt aisle — no carrageenan, no gellan gum, no cane sugar in the unsweetened line, and no artificial thickeners beyond two plant-derived gelling agents. That's a meaningfully different approach than most competitors, many of which lean on gums and starches to fake dairy yogurt's tang and set. Whether that translates into a better eating experience, or just a shorter ingredient panel for the sake of marketing, is worth digging into before paying the premium price this category commands.
Ingredients
The Unsweetened Plain Cashewmilk Yogurt's ingredient list is short:
- Filtered Water
- Organic Cashews
- Organic Corn Starch
- Organic Coconut Cream
- Organic Locust Bean Gum
- Agar
- Live Active Cultures (S. Thermophilus, L. Plantarum, L. Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. Lactis)
That's it — no cane sugar, no natural flavors, no gellan gum or carrageenan, which is unusual for a plant-based yogurt category that often leans on multiple stabilizers to mimic dairy yogurt's tang and thickness. Forager gets its set and body mostly from corn starch, coconut cream, and two plant-derived gelling agents (locust bean gum and agar) instead.
Is Forager Project Cashewmilk Yogurt Vegan?
Yes, Forager Project Cashewmilk Yogurt is 100% vegan. Every listed ingredient is plant-derived, and the live active cultures used to ferment the yogurt are bacterial strains grown on plant-based media, not derived from milk or any other animal product, despite the word "cultures" sometimes causing confusion. This is true of the vast majority of commercial yogurt starter cultures used in dairy-free products, since the bacteria strains themselves are not animal-derived even when historically isolated from dairy environments.
There's no gelatin (a common non-vegan thickener in some yogurt and dessert products), no honey, and no dairy-derived rennet or whey anywhere on the label. Forager Project is also a Certified Vegan brand across its product line, and the Cashewmilk Yogurt specifically carries third-party vegan certification on its packaging. If you're ever unsure about a specific flavor variant or a reformulated SKU, you can double check the current label against the spvegan.com ingredient checker before buying.
Nutrition Facts Comparison
Here's how the Unsweetened Plain Cashewmilk Yogurt compares to three other dairy-free plain/unsweetened yogurts, per single-serving (approximately 5.3 oz / 150g):
| Product | Calories | Protein | Fat | Sugar | Calcium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forager Project Cashewmilk (Unsweetened Plain) | 110 | 3g | 7g | 1g | ~20mg (2% DV) |
| Kite Hill Almond Milk Yogurt (Plain Unsweetened) | ~123* | ~4.4g* | ~10.6g* | ~1g | ~56mg* |
| So Delicious Coconut Milk Yogurt (Plain Unsweetened) | 71 | 1g | 5g | 1g | ~350mg (27% DV, fortified) |
| Dairy Plain Whole Milk Yogurt (for reference) | ~150 | ~8g | ~8g | ~11g | ~275mg (21% DV) |
*Kite Hill figures scaled down proportionally from its listed 3/4 cup (170g) serving to match a ~150g serving for comparison purposes.
The clear takeaway: none of the mainstream dairy-free yogurts come close to dairy yogurt's protein content, and Forager's cashew base is no exception, landing around 3g of protein per serving — roughly a third of what a comparable dairy Greek yogurt offers. Where Forager does win is calcium exposure through whole-food cashews and coconut rather than heavy fortification, and a notably low sugar count since there's no added sweetener at all in the Unsweetened Plain variety.
Taste and Texture
Texture is where Forager's Cashewmilk Yogurt earns its reputation. It's thick, dense, and genuinely creamy — closer to a whole-milk dairy yogurt or even a light labneh than to the thin, watery texture some coconut-based yogurts have. The locust bean gum and agar combination does real work here without leaving the slimy or gelatinous mouthfeel some gum-heavy plant yogurts have.
Flavor-wise, it's tangy in a way that reads as genuinely cultured rather than artificially soured, with a mild, faintly nutty cashew backdrop and virtually no coconut flavor coming through despite coconut cream being a core ingredient. Eaten plain, the unsweetened version is noticeably tart — more like plain Greek yogurt than a dessert — so it benefits from fruit, granola, or a drizzle of maple syrup if you're not used to unsweetened dairy-free yogurt. Stirred into a smoothie or used as a sour cream substitute in savory cooking, it performs impressively well.
How It Compares to the Alternatives
| Product | Best for | Texture | Sugar | Base Ingredient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forager Project Cashewmilk (Plain Unsweetened) | Thick, tangy, minimal-ingredient yogurt | Very thick, creamy | None added | Cashews + coconut cream |
| Kite Hill Almond Milk Yogurt | Higher protein, almond flavor fans | Thick, slightly grainy | None added (unsweetened) | Almonds |
| So Delicious Coconut Milk Yogurt | Lower calorie, higher calcium (fortified) | Thin, watery | None added (unsweetened) | Coconut cream |
| Silk Soy Yogurt Alternative | Highest protein of the dairy-free options | Smooth, dairy-like | Varies by flavor | Soy |
If protein is the priority, a soy-based yogurt will generally beat any nut- or coconut-based option, Forager included. If texture and a clean, short ingredient list matter most, Forager's Cashewmilk line is one of the better-performing options in the category, consistently rated well by dairy-free reviewers for not relying on a long list of stabilizers to get there.
Who Should Buy This?
This is a strong pick for anyone who wants a genuinely thick, tangy, minimal-ingredient dairy-free yogurt for cooking, baking, or eating with toppings, and who isn't relying on yogurt as a primary protein source. It's a good choice for people avoiding soy, gums like carrageenan, or heavily fortified products, and for anyone using yogurt as a sour cream or crème fraîche substitute in savory recipes, where its thick texture and mild tang shine.
It's a weaker fit if you're chasing high protein per serving — a soy yogurt or Greek-style dairy-free option will serve you better there — or if you have a tree nut allergy, since cashews are the primary ingredient. If you find the unsweetened version too tart, Forager's lightly sweetened and flavored varieties (vanilla bean, strawberry, etc.) use the same base with some added cane sugar.
Final Verdict
Forager Project's Unsweetened Plain Cashewmilk Yogurt delivers on its minimal-ingredient promise: it's fully vegan, free of dairy and gelatin, and texturally one of the better dairy-free yogurts available without relying on a long stabilizer list. Its main weakness is protein content, which trails soy-based competitors by a wide margin, and its tartness may be a shock if you're coming from sweetened dairy yogurt. For cooking, baking, and anyone prioritizing ingredient simplicity over protein numbers, it's an easy recommendation.
Rating: 8/10
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Forager Project Cashewmilk Yogurt vegan?
Yes. Every ingredient, including the live active cultures used for fermentation, is plant-derived or bacterial rather than animal-sourced. Forager Project's Cashewmilk Yogurt is Certified Vegan and contains no dairy, honey, or gelatin.
Does Forager Project Cashewmilk Yogurt contain added sugar?
The Unsweetened Plain variety has no added sugar at all, with only about 1g of naturally occurring sugar per serving. Forager's flavored varieties, like vanilla bean or strawberry, do contain added organic cane sugar.
Is Forager Project Cashewmilk Yogurt high in protein?
No, it's relatively low in protein compared to dairy or soy-based yogurts, at roughly 3g per serving. If protein content is your main priority, a soy-based dairy-free yogurt will typically offer significantly more per serving.
Is Forager Project Cashewmilk Yogurt gluten-free and soy-free?
Yes, it's both gluten-free and soy-free, making it a good option for people avoiding those allergens. It does contain tree nuts (cashews) and coconut, so it's not suitable for people with tree nut allergies.
How thick is Forager Project Cashewmilk Yogurt compared to dairy yogurt?
It's noticeably thick and creamy, closer in texture to a whole-milk dairy yogurt or light labneh than to thinner coconut-based yogurts. This comes from a combination of coconut cream, corn starch, and plant-based gelling agents like locust bean gum and agar.
Can I cook or bake with Forager Project Cashewmilk Yogurt?
Yes, its thick texture and mild tang make it a solid dairy-free substitute for sour cream or crème fraîche in savory cooking, as well as a yogurt substitute in baking recipes. Because it's unsweetened, it works especially well in savory applications without throwing off the sugar balance of a recipe.
Does Forager Project Cashewmilk Yogurt have live probiotics?
Yes, it's fermented with a blend of five live active bacterial cultures, including S. Thermophilus, L. Acidophilus, and Bifidus strains, which are the same general categories of probiotic cultures used in traditional dairy yogurt. These cultures are grown on plant-based media rather than milk, keeping the product fully vegan.
Where can I buy Forager Project Cashewmilk Yogurt?
It's widely available at Whole Foods, Sprouts, Fresh Thyme, and other natural grocery chains, as well as select conventional supermarkets and online grocery delivery services. It typically comes in 5.3 oz single-serve cups and larger 24 oz tubs, and pricing runs a bit higher than mainstream dairy yogurt, in line with most premium plant-based yogurt brands.
