#it was also mostly dunkin and either 2019 or 2021

[235uranium]

just remembered the year I tracked my psl drink purchases after one of my friends pointed out how often I buy them in the fall

[zenruption]

What to Know About the Plant-Based Trend

Beyond Meat is a company that you’ve more than likely heard quite a bit about by now. Beyond Meat didn’t really become wildly popular until recently, even though they were founded in 2009 and launched their initial products in 2012. 

In the past couple of years, Beyond Meat, which is based in Los Angeles, has really taken off. 

The company creates products that are plant-based versions of beef, ground meat, sausage, and meatballs. 

In 2013, Beyond Meat started selling plant-based chicken in Whole Foods. In 2014 they started developing simulated beef. 

In 2019, Dunkin Donuts said they were going to start selling meatless sausage breakfast sandwiches, and in 2020, they launched an e-commerce site directly offering products to consumers. In 2020, they started working with McDonald’s to develop a plant-based chicken patty substitute, and in 2021, Taco Bell said they were collaborating with Beyond Meat on a plant-based protein. 

Over the years, Bill Gates and Tyson Foods have invested in Beyond Meat. 

Now perhaps even more well-known is Impossible Foods, which also creates plant-based meat substitutes. The company says its goal is to offer the nutrition and taste of meat without the harmful effects on the environment and health. 

Impossible Burger was launched in 2016 and Burger King started selling Impossible Whoppers in 2019. Other eateries that serve Impossible Foods include Momofuku Nishi, Public, and Crossroads Kitchen. 

What Is Plant-Based?

Plant-based is a way of eating that proponents feel boosts their energy, improves their health, and reduces their likelihood of developing chronic diseases. A plant-based diet means no products from animals including meat, eggs, milk or honey. Plant-based is different from a vegan diet because in addition to no animal products, you shouldn’t eat highly processed foods, although some people do. 

A lot of people might not go entirely plant-based but instead experiment with it a bit. 

For example, you can start out just adding  more vegetables to every meal that you have.

There are some differences between veganism and plant-based eating, mostly based on philosophy. 

Plant-based eating is usually done as something for health, while veganism is a lifestyle focused on avoiding the consumption, use, and exploitation of animals as much as possible. 

Of course, you can be plant-based and vegan too. 

Plant-Based Trends Right Now

Beyond the general plant-based trend, the following are some other specific things you might see making waves. 

Cauliflower is king: Cauliflower is a versatile vegetable and it’s being used in increasingly creative ways by not only people who want to be plant-based but also as a gluten-free alternative. For example, you can find cauliflower pizza crust and rice, but now there are even things like cauliflower Alfredo sauce. 

New plant-based meats: Beyond Meat and Impossible might not be the only players for long. For example, Hooray Foods has created plant-based bacon and No Evil Foods introduced vegan pulled pork. 

Convenience: Another big trend is convenience brought together with plant-based eating. You’ll see in grocery stores a lot more plant-based options in the freezer aisle, for example. There are also a growing number of services that will deliver either pre-made plant-based meals or meal kits so you can cook at home.  

Chickpeas for everything: Another food that’s getting its time in the spotlight thanks to plant-based eating is the chickpea. Much like cauliflower, chickpeas offer a lot of versatility. They can be used to make savory snacks, tortillas, and even cereal. They have protein and fiber and they’re also gluten-free. 

Plant-based probiotics: Gut health is a trend in and of itself, with everyone looking for ways to optimize their digestion. Often, probiotics come from dairy products like yogurt and kefir, but now you can find plant-based probiotics like almond yogurt and kombucha. 

Is Eleven Madison Park the Future?

Eleven Madison Park is one of Manhattan’s most well-known and respected restaurants, with 3 Michelin stars to prove it. Chef Daniel Humm recently made the announcement that when the acclaimed eatery reopens its doors this summer following a COVID closure, it will have a vegan menu. 

It’s the first announcement like this of its kind for such a well-known restaurant. 

Meat had been a central focal point of the restaurant’s menu before the announcement. 

Humm said that he made the decision because of sustainability, and he believes meat consumption has to be cut drastically. 

How well it goes or whether or not other restaurants follow the trend isn’t known yet, but Humm is taking a plant-based risk.