The World Of Tzu Chi December 2019 (Vol.117)

07 TZU CHI 117 Major players in the plant-based meat domain have perfected their craft of replicating the characteristics of actual meat in both its raw and cooked forms. Beyond Meat recreates a “bleeding” effect in its burger patties by using beet juice, while Impossible Foods’ creation “looks, tastes and smells like beef”, as reviewed in an article by NPR, which went on to proclaim that the Impossible Burger “sizzles on the grill and even browns and oozes fat when it cooks”. The invention of vegan meat substitutes offers a balance between nutrition and choice to those who intend to transition to a plant-based diet, but find it difficult to completely eliminate their meat intake. The demand for plant-based meat appears to be on an upward trajectory, as observed by Research and Markets in a recent report that valued the global plant-based meat market at an estimated US$12.1 billion (approximately RM50.3 billion) in 2019 with a projected annual growth rate of 15 percent, reaching US$27.9 billion (approximately RM116 billion) by 2025. Furthermore, the heightened demand for plant-based food products and expanding vegetarian population in countries such as China, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand are expected to contribute to the lucrative gains. Malaysia is also establishing a reputation as an ideal destination for vegetarians, ranking third after the Seychelles and Thailand in a list by travel blog Oliver’s Travels of the most vegetarian-friendly countries in theworld. Plant- based diets have also caught on with celebrities and public figures worldwide, including actress and Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle, actors Brad Pitt, Jet Li, Leonardo DiCaprio, Maggie Q and Orlando Bloom, singers Adele, Andy Lau, Faye Wong and Jacky Cheung. Going mainstream The plant-based diet has also found supporters among the younger generation, as testified by market research conducted by the As environmentalists and climate scientists shine the spotlight on environmental sustainability and the impact of food production and consumption on the environment, a growing number of health- and environmentally-conscious individuals are turning away from meat-based meals in favour of plant-based diets. Is veganism the future of food? Green Meals for a Greener Earth