After a hiatus due to the pandemic, Plant-Based World Conference and Expo returned to New York City Dec. 9 – 10, 2021. And, what a return it was. With hundreds of exhibitors showcasing their plant-based products in the food industry, it was an excellent preview of what the plant-based food market is setting up for in the near future. Here are the seven plant-based food products we think will change the game for the food industry.
7 new plant-based food products that will change the game
1. Umaro Bacon
Using seaweed, the folks at Umaro have veganized bacon. The superfood vegan bacon sizzles and cooks up to a crisp, generating not only a bacon-y crunch, but one of the most perfect umami flavors we’ve ever had. It comes to market May 2022. If you want to be one of the first to have this vegan bacon in your hands, you can pre-order it now.
2. Pleese Cheese
It’s no secret we’re a huge fan of Pleese Cheese. The allergen-free vegan cheese melts, browns and tastes as close to mozzarella as it can get. The cheese is perfect on a slice of New York pizza, just like it’s New York City founders intended. If you’re in the New York region, there are a few spots you can taste the cheese in action. It’s going nationwide in 2022, so keep an eye out, or let your favorite pizza shop know all about it so they can try it now.
3. Tindle Chicken Thy
Tindle’s vegan chicken thy is made of vital wheat gluten, but it’s not like any other vital wheat gluten meat you’ve had. The brand created Lipi™, a unique blend of plant-based fats and flavour, that gives the product the distinctive aroma, taste, and cook-ability of chicken. It’s currently in Asia and the Middle East and Amsterdam, but it’s coming to the States soon.
4. Brotalia FLOCS Chicken Nuggets
The Spain-based Brotalia already has vegan burgers and meatballs in the market, but it’s the vegan chicken nuggets that will blow your mind. Coated in a flakey breading, these vegan nuggets nail the texture and taste of chicken … without the chicken. They’re not out yet, but coming soon. And, when they do, be ready.
5. Hooray Foods 2.0 Bacon
Hooray Food’s 2.0 vegan bacon is insane. In the best possible way. Made with coconut oil, rice flower and tapioca starch, somehow they’ve managed to perfect the texture of bacon with crispy edges and chewier, fatty middle. Version 2.0 is coming out soon.
6. Omni
Only recently arrived to the US, Omni pork products replicate the textures, fattiness and taste of pork using soy protein. They offer grounds, strips and even vegan Spam. You can find their products at select restaurants, as well as Sprouts and Whole Foods. Expect more restaurants offering their products in 2022, as well as new products that will revolutionize other meat genres.
7. OMG Meat
Thai Union Alternative Protein’s OMG Meat line offers a range of vegan seafood products. Their vegan crab cake is unlike any other on the market. With flakey crab meat and a perfect balance of breading, when it comes to the US, get ready.
Check out even more of our top picks from the Plant-Based World Expo!
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