5 Jul 2024
With the sky-rocketing demand of consumers wishing to eat more sustainably and more healthily, many bakers, bakery chain managers and owners are exploring the possibilities of using plant-based ingredients. One of the biggest benefits of this shift has been the opportunity to sell to people who follow plant-based or flexitarian diets - a growing demographic
This, in itself, is a compelling reason for bakery chains to consider embracing plant-based ingredients. On top of this, however, a host of additional benefits make choosing plant-based alternatives an opportunity too good to ignore. From convenience to cost-efficiency, hygiene to versatility, this article will answer the big questions about the many benefits plant-based ingredients can offer your bakery chain.
Plant-based foods represent one of the fastest-growing segments in the food industry. Notably, 1 in 5 people now purchase vegan options every week, according to our Taste Tomorrow consumer research. In addition, 56% of consumers worldwide are interested in plant-based options of (sweet) bakery products. The call for plant-based bakery innovations is huge, especially in the Middle East and Africa (74%), South America (70%), and many countries in the Asian Pacific region (68%).
It’s safe to say that the wave of popularity for plant-based food has created a massive shift in the bakery industry around the world. Capitalizing on this by using plant-based ingredients is an easy win for bakery chains regardless of your size or the market in which you play.
The growth in demand for plant-based products is predominantly driven by 2 factors: health and sustainability. According to our Taste Tomorrow research, 58% of consumers agree that eating plant-based food is healthier than eating animal-based food. This is due to consumers perceiving plant-based products to be more natural and have lower saturated fat content.
Of course, not all vegan recipes are created equally, however, on average when compared to their eggs and dairy counterparts, they:
- Are less energy dense (less calories/100g);
- Naturally contain fewer total fats and saturated fats;
- Contain less cholesterol.
When it comes to sustainability, we found that 70% of consumers agree that plant-based foods have a positive impact on the environment. LCA studies also concluded that the environmental impact of our innovative egg wash substitute Sunset Glaze was 59% lower than that of pasteurized eggs.
In addition to these primary factors, consumers with allergies to dairy and eggs will seek out plant-based products, as will those who choose not to consume animal products due to ethical concerns. Please note that plant-based doesn’t necessarily mean free from allergens—it’s crucial to always label allergens in accordance with local regulations.
It’s also crucial to check a product's composition and understand how it is produced before using it in a plant-based recipe. For example, not all sugar derived from sugar cane can actually be considered plant-based as it is often processed using bone char - which predominantly originates from cattle and pig bones.
Understanding why consumers choose plant-based options is incredibly useful for a bakery chain. It can inform the types of recipes you offer and how you market your products to different consumers with different motives.
Typically, plant-based ingredients and substitutes are easy to implement into recipes and processes without needing to significantly change production methods. For example, choosing our Sunset Glaze over a traditional egg wash makes for an incredibly simple swap and requires minimal recipe and production process adjustments.
Where optimizations are needed, we have teams of experts across product and process, research and development, and innovation who can help perfect your bakery chain’s production processes. You can contact us using our contact form.
Want to know more about the impact of vegan baking ingredients on the environment? Discover more here!
About
Puratos, a global supplier known for its innovative solutions in the bakery, patisserie, and chocolate sectors offers, among its wide offer, a few full clean label solutions (no additive) such as single origins chocolate, real chocolate that does not contain lecithin and several bread improvers which allows the production of bread with consistent quality and exceptional taste and texture. In addition, an extended range of Puratos ingredients abides by consumers' clean(er) label expectations. These solutions empower bakers, patissiers, and chocolatiers to create clean(er) label products that align with consumer demand for natural, wholesome, and transparent food items.
