This week we celebrate World Vegan Day. As the global demand for plant-based cuisine increases, Dubai carrier Emirates has responded with a multi-million dollar investment to bring a curated menu of gourmet vegan dishes to First and Business Class cabins.
Emirates is leading the way among airlines in recognising the rapid growth of the vegan community, opting for a more ethical, environmental or healthier lifestyle.
Emirates began offering vegan dining options in the 1990s on specific routes when required for faith-based reasons.
In recent years, the airline has identified that more passengers are opting for vegan 'special meal' options, with significant increases in the US, Australian, European and UK markets and apparent demand in services from Beirut, Cairo and Taiwan.
The new 100 percent vegan menu was developed over a year at Emirates Flight Catering in Dubai. A tasting panel, including vegan and non-vegan chefs and team members, have devised the menu options with diverse cuisine contributions from Chinese, Indian and Arabic speciality chefs.
Fruits and vegetables are sourced from various UAE-based suppliers. Fresh, locally grown salads, kale, heirloom cherry tomatoes and herbs are produced at Emirates Flight Catering joint venture facility – Bustanica – the world's largest vertical hydroponics farm, growing more than one million plants at any time.
The team of award-winning chefs use high-quality and healthy alternative plant-based ingredients to handcraft tempting and inventive meals. Sample dishes include a vegan mapo tofu, a zucchini tart, pan-roasted king oyster mushrooms, jackfruit biryani, and sliced kohlrabi garnished with burnt orange. Desserts include chocolate truffle cake with roasted hazelnuts or a green grape tart with candied rose petals, vanilla custard and a berry compote.
Vegan dishes are available to pre-order in all cabins, with vegan menus refreshed monthly in Economy.
Read the First-Class.com review of Emirates Business Class
Read the First-Class.com review of Emirates First Class
Read the First-Class.com news of Emirates Dine on Demand service
