Seriously, I'm not criticizing here, just curious. Tofurkey, chix, soyrizo, vegetarian sausage, riblets, skallops, etc.
Is it that there aren't any appealing vegetable protein names available? Is it that it's desirable to taste like meat without actually being meat? Is it to fit in societally? I'm really interested in why this is because I love vegetables, tofu, and some other protein substitutes but have never wanted them to taste like meat. But I guess I already have meat for that.
Why are vegetarian products named after meat?
Started by
Julius
, Nov 23 2012 09:42 PM
27 replies to this topic
#4
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Posted 24 November 2012 - 12:31 AM
Seriously, I'm not criticizing here, just curious. Tofurkey, chix, soyrizo, vegetarian sausage, riblets, skallops, etc.
Is it that there aren't any appealing vegetable protein names available? Is it that it's desirable to taste like meat without actually being meat? Is it to fit in societally? I'm really interested in why this is because I love vegetables, tofu, and some other protein substitutes but have never wanted them to taste like meat. But I guess I already have meat for that.
we just call our food "vegetables, beans and grains" but there are lots of prepared foods in the supermarket for vegetarians. i've tried most of them and i think i can answer your question, but perhaps not the way you were hoping. it's not to fit in societally, and most people don't expect or want it to taste like meat, though some do i guess, especially the hostesses that buy a Tofurky or whatever to be welcoming to her vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner guests...but mostly, it's just the easiest way to describe the texture, look and flavor profile.
so most of those commercially made vegetarian proteins are named for the omnivore thing they look and are flavored to emulate...and like most commercially prepared foods, they're pretty much pure junk food. Jason used to like those riblet things from time to time when he was in the mood for junk food
there's not a lot you can smother in bbq sauce that wouldn't taste good, i guess.
#7
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Posted 24 November 2012 - 04:14 PM
I've noticed that....as a meat eater I don't get it. Why make food that tastes like meat ? I went to an all vegan place with a friend last weekend in Boston ....what I was looking for was really good food . As our luck goes it was just ok
#8
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Posted 24 November 2012 - 06:48 PM
Thank you Thuggie!
I wasn't "hoping" for any particular answer, just wanted to know and Google was no help. Much appreciated.
Now on to WTF Sea tofu actually is!
and don't ever try to emulate meat chili with the substitutes.
lesson learned.
oof
but it was so cute of you guys to go through all that thinking and effort! he did appreciate it even if the results were, um...just okay? Now on to WTF Sea tofu actually is!
i've never heard of it, but Google calls jellyfish the tofu of the sea...somehow i doubt that's what you're referring to though or you'd know that's what you were eating. guess it must be a west coast thing :shrug:
#9
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Posted 24 November 2012 - 07:10 PM
so most of those commercially made vegetarian proteins are named for the omnivore thing they look and are flavored to emulate...and like most commercially prepared foods, they're pretty much pure junk food. Jason used to like those riblet things from time to time when he was in the mood for junk food
but why would they emulate foods that the buyer would not eat?
#14
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Posted 24 November 2012 - 09:21 PM
Clearspot Organic Sea Cakes (2 Pack) 190g
See other products from Tofu
See other products from Clear Spot
Made with tofu and seaweed, with a little smoke added, this is an interesting blend of East and West.
Average Reviews
Customer ReviewsWrite Review
Our Price £1.62 (£0.85 per 100g)
Product Details
Serving Suggestion
Can be eaten hot or cold.
Ingredients
Tofu (water, soya beans, nigari), smoked tofu (water, soya beans, salt), kelp powder, reconstituted arame sea vegetable, sea salt.
Nutritional Information
Typical values per 100g:
Energy 463.3kJ/110.1, Protein 12.7g, Carbohydrates 6.5g, Fat 3.7g.
See other products from Tofu
See other products from Clear Spot
Made with tofu and seaweed, with a little smoke added, this is an interesting blend of East and West.
Average Reviews
Customer ReviewsWrite Review Our Price £1.62 (£0.85 per 100g) Product Details
Serving Suggestion
Can be eaten hot or cold.
Ingredients
Tofu (water, soya beans, nigari), smoked tofu (water, soya beans, salt), kelp powder, reconstituted arame sea vegetable, sea salt.
Nutritional Information
Typical values per 100g:
Energy 463.3kJ/110.1, Protein 12.7g, Carbohydrates 6.5g, Fat 3.7g.
#15
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Posted 25 November 2012 - 03:51 AM
To add to JT's:
Some are named as such, but that's mostly commercial. Why name it as such? There's what JT said, and then also some of it is what you call marketing. If you think about what you would name a new processed product, I'm guessing you're not gonna do any better. And if you can do better, talk to me....
OTOH, the base items are not named after meat.
Seitan isn't named after meat. Tofu isn't named after meat. Tempeh isn't named after meat.
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As for myself, there is hardly any of those that I eat/use regularly. Vegenaise is one (though mayonnaise is vegetarian) and Italian Sausage and Tofurkey deli slice. Vegenaise I prefer to mayonaisse... the other 2 it pretty well describes what they're like.... a deli thing that goes with the stuff you'd use on a turkey slice...and the other
Some are named as such, but that's mostly commercial. Why name it as such? There's what JT said, and then also some of it is what you call marketing. If you think about what you would name a new processed product, I'm guessing you're not gonna do any better. And if you can do better, talk to me....
OTOH, the base items are not named after meat.
Seitan isn't named after meat. Tofu isn't named after meat. Tempeh isn't named after meat.
---
As for myself, there is hardly any of those that I eat/use regularly. Vegenaise is one (though mayonnaise is vegetarian) and Italian Sausage and Tofurkey deli slice. Vegenaise I prefer to mayonaisse... the other 2 it pretty well describes what they're like.... a deli thing that goes with the stuff you'd use on a turkey slice...and the other
#16
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Posted 25 November 2012 - 04:11 PM
Perhaps some vegetarians enjoy the flavor of meat while finding the killing and eating of animals morally offensive?
that's exactly how I feel about vegetables...if only they could make bacon taste like morally offensive lima beans
#19
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Posted 25 November 2012 - 04:45 PM
Vegans and vegetarians who feel its morally wrong to kill and eat animals, but not morally wrong go kill and rat plants, is just a hypcrite.
As if one type of living thing is more deserving to live than any other...while others are just grown, harvested, and eaten without any care at all.
Plants have emotions too.
As if one type of living thing is more deserving to live than any other...while others are just grown, harvested, and eaten without any care at all.
Plants have emotions too.
#20
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Posted 25 November 2012 - 04:50 PM
Sea tofu is Walrus jizz.
from walrus that eat veggie niblets in BBQ sauce Vegans and vegetarians who feel its morally wrong to kill and eat animals, but not morally wrong go kill and eat plants, is just a hypcrite.
As if one type of living thing is more deserving to live than any other...while others are just grown, harvested, and eaten without any care at all.
Plants have emotions too.
Exactly
#22
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Posted 25 November 2012 - 06:49 PM
Hoagie death is a necessary aspect of life, you can't separate the two. i think that reducing harm wherever possible, being mindful, respectful, and thankful for where one's food comes from is the best one can hope for. Native Americans understand this, and i think for many, becoming vegan/vegetarian is a step in that evolution.
#23
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Posted 25 November 2012 - 07:41 PM
Sea Tofu remains a mystery but it sure is tasty.
I asked a vegetarian friend about this. Tofu requires a coagulant in order for it to solidify into cakes. Some are done with soy milk. Preferred method for most Japanese tofu is sea water, hence the name. Mystery solved. You're welcome.
Be vegan/vegetarian. Please DONT GO AROUND SAYING that you do it because killin animals and eating them is wrong. You sound like a self-righteous ass with no respect for plant life.
Hoagie, everyone knows that plants don't have feelings. Botany 101.
#26
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Posted 26 November 2012 - 04:27 AM
Be vegan/vegetarian. Please DONT GO AROUND SAYING that you do it because killin animals and eating them is wrong. You sound like a self-righteous ass with no respect for plant life.
It's not a matter of an universal right or wrong in most cases. Some opt not to eat some or all dead animals while some opt not to consume/use any animal products. Others are a free for all for whatever taste good or looks good on them (animal products like leather for example). Judging others for their diet/soul needs is without a doubt wrong, as wrong as not showing respect for them and such. Plants do have feelings....or they react positively when they are treated well and it pains me at times to consume them even when it's at the end of their life cycle.....unlike pigs/cows/chickens who are harvested basically at the start of their life cycles (example chickens @ 3 months old). In the end we all pick our diet based on what makes us feel good with a mix of a complete lack of care for the living beings we consume.
To touch lightly on what Ginger Snap said and not speaking for all Native people....we take from the earth what we need now for our needs and return to the earth or share what we don't need....sort of consumption without greed....something so foreign in most modern cultures.
On a completely unrelated topic I moved up part of my going vegan thingy after having horrible eggs this past weekend....now eggs are off of my diet and less chickens will live a horrible life. Less cows will have to suffer making me cheese and great tasting pizza in about a month.....but the plants......yeah those fuckers are going to suffer big time unless I can find a proper diet eating sand/air/pipe dreams.
To each their own...and such :-)
#28
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Posted 26 November 2012 - 12:21 PM
It's not a matter of an universal right or wrong in most cases. Some opt not to eat some or all dead animals while some opt not to consume/use any animal products. Others are a free for all for whatever taste good or looks good on them (animal products like leather for example). Judging others for their diet/soul needs is without a doubt wrong, as wrong as not showing respect for them and such. Plants do have feelings....or they react positively when they are treated well and it pains me at times to consume them even when it's at the end of their life cycle.....unlike pigs/cows/chickens who are harvested basically at the start of their life cycles (example chickens @ 3 months old). In the end we all pick our diet based on what makes us feel good with a mix of a complete lack of care for the living beings we consume.
To touch lightly on what Ginger Snap said and not speaking for all Native people....we take from the earth what we need now for our needs and return to the earth or share what we don't need....sort of consumption without greed....something so foreign in most modern cultures.
On a completely unrelated topic I moved up part of my going vegan thingy after having horrible eggs this past weekend....now eggs are off of my diet and less chickens will live a horrible life. Less cows will have to suffer making me cheese and great tasting pizza in about a month.....but the plants......yeah those fuckers are going to suffer big time unless I can find a proper diet eating sand/air/pipe dreams.
To each their own...and such :-)
Really well said.
