Traditionally, tamales are made with a center of pork with masa or dough that is steamed in a corn husk or a banana leaf—Mean Vegan Products makes vegan tamales as a plant-based alternative.
True to their name, Mean Vegan Products' Vegan Jackfruit Tamales have jackfruit at their center as a flavorful meat substitute, as it absorbs flavor and boasts a texture that pulls like shreds of meat. As such, the product is described as having a "meaty texture" that is especially appealing to "'flexitarians' and those who are making a transition to a vegan/vegetarian lifestyle."
As well as opting to replace pork with jackfruit, Mean Vegan Products also opted to make its stone-ground corn masa without corn flour. As well as being free from meat and cheese, the vegan tamales are also made without gluten, dairy and soy.
Prepackaged Vegan Tamales
Mean Vegan Products' Tamales Feature Jackfruit in Place of Pork
Trend Themes
1. Plant-based Meat Substitutes - The rise of plant-based meat substitutes like jackfruit presents opportunities for disruptive innovation in the food industry.
2. Appealing to Flexitarians - Creating products with a 'meaty texture' that cater to flexitarians can tap into the growing market of consumers transitioning to a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle.
3. Free-from Products - The demand for vegan and gluten-free food options opens up opportunities for disruptive innovation in the free-from food industry.
Industry Implications
1. Food Manufacturing - Incorporating plant-based meat substitutes like jackfruit in food manufacturing processes can lead to innovative product development and market differentiation.
2. Fast Casual Dining - Fast casual dining establishments can capitalize on the growing interest in flexitarianism by offering menu items with jackfruit and other plant-based meat substitutes.
3. Health Food Retail - Health food retailers can cater to the demand for vegan and gluten-free options by featuring Mean Vegan Products' tamales and other free-from food products.