Adding to its innovative, yet traditional menu of Biryani comprising Dum Baked offerings and Truffle Oil Biryani, Mumbai-based Charcoal Eats has now launched a plant-based Chicken Keema Biryani. The food chain has partnered with Blue Tribe, a pioneer in plant-based meat products in India to jointly develop this comforting dish, which it claimed is the first plant-based chicken biryani.
This offering is aimed at discerning consumers who love the taste of meat, but want to consciously cut down on their meat consumption for ethical, religious, environmental or health reasons. The offering is also to encourage vegetarians to experience the taste and texture of non-vegetarian food, without having to eat an animal.
Further, given the fact that the majority of people who eat plant-based meats worldwide are not vegans or vegetarians, this Biryani allows omnivores who want diversity in their diet with plant based options without compromising the taste or the texture of non-vegetarian food.
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While it has taken years of experimentation (and tens of millions of dollars), only recently plant-based meats have started to become competitive with the animal-based meat products in terms of taste, price, accessibility and ease of use. Plant-based ingredients are a source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Research indicates that plant-based diets can be beneficial for weight management, diabetes, and the microbiome. It also suggests that they may help prevent various health issues, such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease due to its inherent low cholesterol and sodium levels, and high fibre content. All without compromising on the taste and the experience of non-vegetarian food.
Plant-based meat could also be a sustainable answer to global food security and addressing environmental concerns with respect to raising animals for consumption. Producing meat requires huge amounts of resources: water, crops and land. Further, the meat industry is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in the world, according to the United Nations.
Consumers across age, location, income and education levels are realising the benefits of plant-based meat – not only for themselves, but for the planet. Giant food companies are rolling out meat alternatives globally. Recognising this, major global meat producers are investing significantly in plant-based alternatives.
Established in 2015, CharcoalEats Foodtech is a tech-enabled, direct-to-consumer venture that delivers high quality, consistent, and modern yet authentic Indian flavours to its patrons. Its offerings include a signature collection of biryanis, kebabs and rolls. The company serves over 50,000 consumers a month through its 29 outlets across Mumbai and its environs.Â
Blue Tribe was established with the objective of offering an alternative for meat in the food supply chain of India. Through constant research and innovation in food science, it provides plant-based meat products, including frozen minced chicken, chicken nuggets and sausages that are every bit as natural and delicious as animal meat while also positively impacting the environment and the planet.
