Vegan seafood is becoming a delicious reality -would you try it?

Every day, more and more people are seeking alternatives to animal consumption, however, not all of these substitutes are the same quality.

Forbes comments that in the past artificial animal products were limited to meat, pork, and poultry substitutes since seafood was harder to replicate.

However, science marches on and so is the food available to those who want to avoid animal consumption.

Vegan lifestyle website VegNews explains that plant-based seafood imitates the look, texture, and flavor of real-life marine-based food sources while not producing any harm to the life in our oceans.

There’s already vegan equivalents of shrimp, canned tuna, fish fillets, crab cakes, and even sushi!

VegNews highlights that some brands use protein-rich legumes to mimic the texture of fish.

Image: @shelleypauls / Unsplash

Legumes aren’t the only ones used to imitate seafood, soy has traditionally been used for meaty textures and is also used for the bounty of the sea.

The root plant Konjac, a staple in Japanese cuisine, is a favorite to mimic the texture and flavor of shrimps.

Konjac can also be used as a weight-loss supplement!

Japanese television network NHK argued that vegan seafood could be the answer to enjoy some staples of local cuisine without disrupting the environment.

For instance, a combination of vinegared rice, vegetables, soy sauce, and wasabi can be used to produce vegan sushi.

Meanwhile, Vegan website Vegconomist highlights the launching of plant-based fried eel could be a turning point for the Japanese eel, threatened due to overfishing.

As vegan alternatives evolve to be indistinguishable from the real thing, one can’t help to wonder if more and more people will abandon foodstuff of animal origin.

There are many reasons people might choose to become vegan or vegetarian, such as seeking a healthier lifestyle.

Many others believe that consuming foodstuff from animals is immoral, if we can have an option that doesn’t require killing living beings.

What is true is that in a world that is overpopulated and facing diminishing resources, one can’t help but ask ourselves if vegetarianism or veganism will become a necessity to restore the natural balance between people and nature.