The Rise Of Vegan Baking
We are seeing a shift in the world of baking. One that is opening up a new wave of creativity and breathing fresh life into an art form that was starting to become stale. More and more we are seeing vegan recipes popping up. Vegan cafes, restaurants, and bakeries are opening by the hundreds. And major companies are starting to produce more vegan products.
This didn’t all happen overnight either. It has been an extremely slow burn. The vegan movement was, for the longest time, an extremely unpopular one. Often ridiculed and mocked by society at large. But the rapid decline of the planet is starting to change people’s minds. And veganism is becoming more chic by the day.
It is estimated that the global livestock industry is responsible for a staggering 17% of global CO2 emissions. And in recent years the effects of global warming have become dangerously apparent. Wildfires are becoming more common across the globe. Temperatures are erratic and natural disasters are more common than ever before. The recent hurricane Milton was the strongest on record since 2005. And it is believed that climate change played a part in cultivating the conditions for such a destructive storm.
So it is no surprise that people are becoming more environmentally aware. And going vegan is one of the best ways one can take a stand against climate change in a realistic way.
Supply And Demand
It is difficult for the average person, in the western world, to completely forgo the luxuries of modern civilization. High energy consumption and fuel usage are a necessary part of everyday life. But people can control what they eat and drink.
And the buying habits of the general population have a huge impact on what companies do with their time and money. In theory if everyone stopped eating meat all at once then every major food producer on the planet would have no choice but to switch to a completely vegetarian or vegan product listing. Cutting the global carbon emissions down significantly. But this is a far off dream.
But it speaks to a more realistic goal. If people are buying less animal products and more vegan products, companies will start to give into that demand. Supply will increase for vegan products. While the supply of animal products will decrease. This change is already being seen across the globe. More and more we are seeing supermarket shelves stocked with vegan products. Ones that are created and produced in an eco-friendly way.
Greater Food Variety
Vegan baking has brought a breath of fresh creativity into the baking world. Slowly people are finding new and creative ways to produce their favorite baked goods using vegan ingredients. Previously vegans were limited in their baking options when they went to cafes or bakeries. Whereas now they are spoiled for choice. For example, if you’re a vegan and love cookies you will find that most good bakeries now stock a huge variety of vegan cookies. Along With other classic treats.
Vegan baked goods provide a number of differences to their traditional counterparts. Taste being the most obvious. Most baked goods suffer from the fact that they often build off the same base ingredients. Egg, milk, flour. All that good stuff. Vegan baked goods have to use a variety of different ingredients to achieve the desired baking process. Which, in turn, adds a unique flavor to nearly every vegan baked dish.
Texture and mouthfeel are also different in vegan baked goods. Often being more chewy or soft, depending on what is being baked. Vegan baking often produces lighter and softer cakes than traditional baking.
In trying to meet the rising demand for vegan baked goods we are seeing bakers all over pushing the limits of their creativity to make the next best dish. And this is a wonderful thing. Demand is the driving force behind innovation. And vegan baking is forcing a new wave of innovation that was sorely needed.
The Rebirth Of The Cafe
Even before the Covid-19 pandemic we were seeing more local bakeries and cafes shutting down. This was primarily due to the fact that they couldn’t compete with the chain retailers. Nearly every supermarket now had their own bakery section. So why pay extra for proper baked goods when you could get mass produced baked goods on the cheap.
Vegan baking is leading to a rebirth of the independent cafe and bakery industry. Since most supermarkets don’t cater to vegans well enough. And the vegan friendly spaces being opened are bringing new life back into local communities. The vegan mindset isn’t just about what one eats. It is also about a sense of community and kindness. The idea that we should care for the planet and each other. So these spaces are often more than just bakeries and cafes. They are community hubs. Providing a sense of togetherness that a lot of local communities have been missing for quite some time.
Everyone can cook, but it doesn’t mean it will be tasty. Join me in my journey to find what would intrigue your tongue, and what would add spice to your life. Bon Appetit!
