# Prepackaged Vegan Tamales Mean Vegan Products' Tamales Feature Jackfruit in Place of Pork By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2017-06-21 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegan-tamales References: [store.veganessentials](https://store.veganessentials.com/vegan-jackfruit-tamales-by-mean-vegan-products-p4962.aspx) & [meanveganproducts](http://www.meanveganproducts.com/) 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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meaty-meat-pork-ish), 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. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.4/10 - Popularity: 47% | Activity: 18% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Health](https://www.trendhunter.com/health) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Plant-based Meat Substitutes:** The rise of plant-based meat substitutes like jackfruit presents opportunities for disruptive innovation in the food industry. - **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. - **Free-from Products:** The demand for vegan and gluten-free food options opens up opportunities for disruptive innovation in the free-from food industry. ### Where This Applies - **Food Manufacturing:** Incorporating plant-based meat substitutes like jackfruit in food manufacturing processes can lead to innovative product development and market differentiation. - **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. - **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. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Jackfruit-Filled Dumplings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jackfruitfilled-dumplings.md) - [Jackfruit-Based Vegan Foods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jack-annies.md) - [Jackfruit-Based Meat Alternatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jack-annies-1.md) - [Ready-to-Eat Canned Jackfruit](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jackfruit-range.md) - [Jackfruit-Based Pepperoni Slices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jackfruit-pepperoni.md) - [Shelf-Stable Plant-Based Taco Fillings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plantbased-birria.md) - [Plant-Based Fish Substitutes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jackfruit-fish-fillet.md) - [Meat-Free Mexican Cuisine Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barvecue-carnitas.md) - [Vegan Jackfruit Wings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sassy-jack-chickn.md)