Plant-Based Dairy and Egg Alternatives
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Plant-based dairy and egg alternatives are gaining popularity for their sustainability, health benefits, and suitability for people with dietary restrictions. Beyond mainstream options like almond milk and soy milk, several lesser-known alternatives are emerging.
Plant-Based Dairy Alternatives
1. Hemp Milk
Source: Hemp seeds.
Benefits: High in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, protein, and minerals. It is creamy and suitable for beverages and coffee.
Examples:
Tempt Hemp Milk by Living Harvest Foods.
Good Hemp Milk (UK-based).
2. Pea Milk
Source: Yellow split peas.
Benefits: High protein content, allergen-free, and environmentally sustainable. It has a neutral taste and creamy texture.
Examples:
Ripple Foods Pea Milk (USA).
Sproud Pea Milk (Sweden).
3. Banana Milk
Source: Blended bananas with water and seeds (often sunflower or flaxseeds).
Benefits: Naturally sweet, low in fat, and rich in potassium.
Examples:
Banana Wave Banana Milk (USA).
4. Sesame Milk
Source: Sesame seeds.
Benefits: High in calcium, antioxidants, and unsaturated fats.
Examples:
Hope & Sesame Sesame Milk (USA).
5. Potato Milk
Source: Potatoes blended with water and oil.
Benefits: Sustainable and allergen-friendly, with a neutral flavor and creamy consistency.
Examples:
DUG Potato Milk (Sweden).
Plant-Based Egg Alternatives
1. Chickpea Flour
Source: Ground chickpeas.
Uses: Ideal for making omelets, scrambles, or baking. Its protein content and binding properties mimic eggs.
Examples:
Gram flour products (used in various local cuisines).
2. Moong Bean (Mung Bean) Protein
Source: Mung beans.
Uses: Perfect for liquid egg substitutes in scrambled eggs or frittatas.
Examples:
Just Egg (USA).
3. Aquafaba
Source: Chickpea water (liquid from canned or boiled chickpeas).
Uses: Acts as a foaming agent in meringues, macarons, and baked goods.
Examples:
Widely used by vegan bakeries globally.
4. Flaxseed and Chia Seeds
Source: Ground seeds mixed with water to form a gel-like consistency.
Uses: Used as a binder in baking.
Examples:
DIY preparations at home or organic brands like Bob’s Red Mill.
5. Pumpkin Seed Protein
Source: Extracted protein from pumpkin seeds.
Uses: Utilized in scrambled egg-style products.
Examples:
Float Foods’ OnlyEg (Singapore).
6. Lupin Protein
Source: Lupin beans.
Uses: High protein, used in vegan egg replacements for baking or scrambling.
Examples:
Lupreme Egg Substitute (Australia).
Why These Are Not Widely Known
Limited market availability due to niche demand.
Lesser focus in mainstream media compared to almond or oat-based products.
Challenges in production scalability and higher costs.