We take a look at four vegan companies making it in Venezuela alternative per Dairy, meat and chocolate when effort per to stay floating Between Venezuela economic the crisis And extensive Inflation.
Venezuela was among 11 countries ahead of France in the Veganuary 2022 challenge; According to estimates by the Venezuelan Association of Nutritionists, the vegetarian population in Venezuela is increasing.
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Dairy-free artisan cheese specialist Okara started crafts Chickpea based cheesee in 2019 when it was founded by Myrla Morales and Jennifer Snyder. Now It uses cashews, almonds and legumes to make it 30 caste, Ranging from fresh mozzarela–style per Camemberst per mature cheesees Okara also makes vegan desserts and is expanding into plant-based chorizo, cooked ham and tofu filets to provide vegan ingredients for Venezuelan favorite festive foods, halacas and pan de jamon (bread stuffed with ham).
Okara says its best-selling cheeses are grated almond milk arepero (for arepas, a local cornbread), mozzarella and cream cheese. The vegan company even created a recipe for a “cheese-whiz style” but made with fermented cashews and cassava starch. “People are looking for an everyday cheese alternative to fill their arepas,” the company said on Instagram.
The company sells DTC through Instagram and has a brick-and-mortar store offering pick-up and delivery services.
Marek’s
Caracas-based Mereketé specializes in dairy-free, cashew-based vegan cheeses and yogurts. The company was founded in 2019 by an all-female team to lead the “new sustainable plant-based cheese industry”.
Mereketé’s broad vegan cheese portfolio includes mozzarella, ricotta, cream cheese, spreadable cheddar, blue, and gorgonzola. Using herbs and spices, Mereketé surprises its customers with three “Boursin” flavors: delicate herbs, mushroom porcini and mustard. The brand’s popular product Cashewgurt is a coconut and cashew yogurt naturally fermented with lactobacilli in natural or red berry flavors.
“We are aware of the environmental degradation caused by industrial animal husbandry, and we are absolutely clear that the planet needs more conscious means of production. Therefore, we have chosen to create dairy-free products; Apart from the thousands of health benefits of not eating them,” Merekete said Coriander but not so much.
The company sells DTC through Instagram and has a brick-and-mortar store offering pick-up and delivery services.
happiness
Alegria is a 100% vegan healthy breakfast and lunch restaurant in Cebucan, Caracas. It serves lentil burgers, local corn bread — empanadas and arepas — filled with pulled beef (carne mechada), black beans and plantains, or stir-fried vegetables.
The vegetarian restaurant delights its clientele with an in-house veggie burger made with a lentil patty, topped with cheddar, mayo, caramelized onion, tomato and lettuce, sandwiched on a wheat and sesame seed bun.
Alegria’s meat options have become so popular that it launched a frozen line: nuggets, pulled beef (made with plantains and protein), and its plant-based burger patties. All products are ready for delivery throughout Caracas or available for pickup in Cebu.
“Our vegan nuggets are love at first bite!” said Alegria on Instagram.
chocolate sun
Chocolate Sun pioneered healthy chocolate seven years ago, aiming to provide “delicious” chocolate for vegans, diabetics, celiacs and lactose intolerants. It has a wide portfolio of chocolate bars in different flavors (dark chocolate, crispy banana, or white chocolate with cookies, among many others); Raw chocolate for spreads, cubes, chips, cocoa powder and desserts.
According to Chocolates Sun, its products are made with 100% premium cacao criollo from the foothills of Venezuela’s Andean Cordillera, “where it grows best.”
Chocolate Sun can be found in specialty and gourmet stores across the country. It uses Instagram to sell and promote its products.
“All of our great flavors are about being unique and special because we are vegan, lactose, casein, animal protein, animal cruelty and 100% plant-based. Without refined sugar, a pleasure on the palate and a guarantee of good taste,” said Chocolates Sun on Instagram.