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What You Need To Know About These Famously Vegan Ingredients

by Vegan Culinary Cruises Luxury – All Inclusive – All Vegan
If you’ve been to a vegan restaurant, vegan cruise, or stayed at any type of all-vegan accommodation, you’ve probably heard of some ingredients that are usually referred to as “meat substitutes.”

Far from simply being substitute ingredients for recipes that call for meat, many famously vegan ingredients have a fabulous history in various parts of the world and are heavily ingrained into various cultures. Read on to learn more about these ingredients.


Tofu

Tofu is probably one of the most well-known vegan ingredients known to the world. Its versatility in use (you can stir-fry it with veggies or turn it into pudding!), as well as its amazing health benefits, have made it a staple in vegan diners and cafes around the globe.

This ingredient rich in amino acids, iron, calcium, and other micro-nutrients was first known to be used in China, like many other soy-based foods. According to stories, it was discovered around 2000 years ago by a Chinese cook who accidentally curdled soy milk by adding nigari seaweed.

By the eighth century, it was introduced to the Japanese, who called it “Okabe.” The name “tofu” did not come until the 1400s, and by the 1960s, Western interest in healthy eating brought attention to it worldwide.

Tempeh

Similar to tofu, tempeh is soy-based. It’s made with fermented soybeans that are formed into a firm, dense cake. In creating tempeh, it is also typical to use beans, grains, and flavorings. It is also rich in the good stuff, such as protein and many essential vitamins and minerals. It is also notably cholesterol-free and low in fat.



Tempeh originated in modern-day Indonesia. According to records, the term “tempeh” has been in dictionaries since at least 1875. Originally, it was written as témpé, with various accents being used, to indicate the pronunciation of the final letter "e" as “ay.” 

It is famous for being used in sub sandwiches and as a bacon substitute in traditionally meat-containing dishes.

Seitan
Seitan is basically flavored wheat gluten. Seitan is noted for being remarkably high in protein, even more so than tofu and tempeh. The ingredient is also known to be a great source of selenium and iron, but due to its being wheat-based, it may be an allergen for many. 

It was, for centuries, used as a meat substitute in China and Japan, where it was originally developed by vegetarian Buddhist monks. Seitan (“say-tahn”) was reportedly originally coined in the 1960s by the Japanese macrobiotic teacher George Ohsawa. “Seitan” is known to be a combination of several words: sei or “made of,” and tan, the first character in tanpaku which is the Japanese word for “protein.”

Similar to its vegan-friendly siblings, tofu and tempeh, it can be used in a wide variety of dishes, from deep-fried dishes to barbecue recipes. It is a great choice for the latter as it works well with sauces.

Want to learn more about your favorite vegan foods? There’s no better way to do so than indulging in a veritable menu of all-vegan delights. Jump on the coming vegan culinary cruises for a vacation experience that will take your taste buds on an exciting trip, too!


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Created on Jul 31st 2019 02:22. Viewed 239 times.

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