ANKO FOOD MACHINE EPAPER Aug 2020
New business opportunities for healthy eating: do you start making vegetarian food?
14 Aug, 2020In the post-COVID-19 era, in addition to taking prevention, boosting immunity has become people’s focus. There are many celebrities that have chosen to give up meat, whether it’s for the health benefits, lifestyle or for the environment, they are definitely leading a global trend and changing the world.
Plant-based diet has been one of the fastest growing food category and trend in the past decade, not only due to the relative health benefits, but also for environmental concerns, sustainability and animal welfare. In Taiwan, the Vegetarian population have reached around 3 million in number this year, ranking top three in the world with India and Israel. And there are over 6000 vegetarian friendly restaurants in Taiwan, making it one of the most herbivorous welcoming destinations in the globe.
Speaking of the plant-based diet, people are identified as Vegetarians or Vegans.
In general, being a “vegetarian” often means they avoid consuming meats and seafood, but some are more flexible and can eat eggs and/or dairy products. On the other hand, vegans are stricter with their diet, they do not consume any meats, eggs, dairy or even honey. Both diet trends are gaining popularity around the globe.
According to a survey in 2017, it showed a drastic 5 fold-increase of vegetarianism in the U.S.A. in 2017 compared to the previous year, with a quarter being vegan. In the UK, the vegan population had increased 360% from year 2016 to 2017, with over three million people and the numbers are still growing. In Germany, recently, there are over 1.3 million vegans and over 8 million vegetarians, accounting for roughly 10% of the total population. Last but not least, “The Economist” magazine had announced 2019 to be “The Year of the Vegan” and in 2020, there will be as many as 30% of the global population that will give up meats and consume plant-based diets.
Women account for around 70% of the total vegetarian and vegan population, and in the U.S.A., most people that consume plant-based diets are in their 40’s, however, more and more young people of the age between 20 and 30 are eager to try and make changes in their diet.
There are many celebrities that have chosen to give up meat, whether it’s for the health benefits, lifestyle or for the environment, they are definitely leading a global trend and changing the world. Which many chain restaurants, eateries and supermarkets or hypermarkets (such as Walmart) are responding to the strong demands, selling various meatless cuisines or products to support the movement, and provide delicious vegetarian or vegan food options for diners and travelers.
Growing market of meatless cuisine
(Photo： HLT-700U Multipurpose Filling and Forming Machine，In addition to the shaping mechanism, the filling extruding system of the dumpling making machine is also upgraded to smoothly and stably extrude filling mixtures with less oil and even larger dices, for example, plant-based filling with a higher proportion of stems or loose cooked minced meat. 。)
The rapid growth of global vegetarian and vegan population has brought huge opportunities in the Food Industry. It’s mentioned in the 2018 Global Food & Drink Trends by Mintel, that “Plant-based food” has become a leading trend in the F&B business. And since 2017, vegetarian food retail sales growth is 10 times more than traditional meat products, even the industry giant McDonalds started offering vegetarian burgers around the world; many supermarket brands have also started their own line of vegetarian food production under their private labels.
Many companies begin to substitute actual meat products with artificial meat-like ingredients made with plant proteins, offering meat-lovers alternatives and an easier way to eliminate animal products from their original diets. According to marketsandmarkets.com, the plant-based meat market is estimated to account for a value of USD12.1 billion in 2019 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 15.0% from 2019, to reach a value of USD27.9 billion by 2025.
Recommended traditional vegetable dishes
In this new wave of vegetarian diet trend, there are many classic and traditional food products from various countries that have caught the attention of the global market.
Such as “ Samosa”, a vegetable or bean-stuffed snack that’s spiced and deep-fried into crispy and flavorful treats; it originated from Central Asia and had spread its popularity throughout India and to the rest of the world. It’s an all-time favorite for vegetarians and meat lovers alike.
There are also many dim sum and/or stuffed pastries from the Chinese food menu that we cannot neglect.
Such as dumplings, potstickers, spring rolls, baos and buns, that are made with different combinations of chopped vegetables, mushrooms or non-meat ingredients, which are seasoned and wrapped in different types of dough or pastries, then finally to be boiled, steamed, pan-fried or deep-fried into scrumptious snacks or meals. All of which could be often be found in restaurants, as take outs or tucked away in the frozen section of supermarkets, they are all simple delicious vegetarian food options.
All of which are efficient and tasty solutions for making Chinese dim sum
ANKO’s HLT-700 Series Multipurpose Filling & Forming Machines are designed for making artisanal dumplings
SD-97 Series Automatic Encrusting & Forming Machine are used for making Buns and Baos
SR-24 Series Spring Roll Production line is used for producing crispy spring rolls
ANKO’s BR-1500 Burrito Forming Machine
In the West, a hearty burrito is usually made with meats and beans, but the new vegetarian version is often made with alternative meat products. Often, in the United States, burritos are built with generous amount of beans, vegetables, rice and salsas, made into healthy and yet filling meals that are flavorful and satisfying.
ANKO’s BR-1500 Burrito Forming Machine is easy to operate, simply place the tortillas on the conveyer belt and the machine will automatically extrude filling onto the wraps and be folded into delicious burritos.
Finally, when speaking about food, Italians are often mentioned, not only because they are skillful at using seasonal fruits, vegetables, garlic and herbs to create cuisines that are fragrant and flavorful, but also with top quality olive oil, various mushrooms and different sauces added, the meatless Italian dishes are just as healthy and delightful. Especially when it comes to pasta dishes or ravioli, they truly know how to enjoy delectable plant based meals.
(ANKO’s HLT Series Multipurpose Filling & Forming Machines can produce various types and shapes of pastas and raviolis with different molds.)