Would you ever. . .?
Posted by lolkrys on Apr 01, 2010 · Member since Jun 2009 · 31 posts
Try non-vegan foods in order to taste what they're like, so you could create vegan versions?
Personally, I would. There are a lot of things in the culinary world I haven't tasted, and as long as they're vegetarian I would try them, just to see what they're like so I can create a vegan version. I also don't see that as making me any less vegan.
Thoughts?
Um, no way. I'm vegan for a reason, and it is to avoid meat, dairy, and eggs and all products made from those. By "just trying" non-vegan foods, then I am supporting a system that I have chosen to abstain from. Just because I'm only having "a bite" of something doesn't mean the chicken that produced that egg or the cow that produced the milk was any less mistreated or abused.
There is plenty of delicious, awesome vegan food out there (and on VW) to try, without exploiting animals to come up with new recipes.
Um, no way. I'm vegan for a reason, and it is to avoid meat, dairy, and eggs and all products made from those. By "just trying" non-vegan foods, then I am supporting a system that I have chosen to abstain from. Just because I'm only having "a bite" of something doesn't mean the chicken that produced that egg or the cow that produced the milk was any less mistreated or abused.
There is plenty of delicious, awesome vegan food out there (and on VW) to try, without exploiting animals to come up with new recipes.
Right.
No. I personally don't care much for meat/cheese/whatever analogs with rare exception. I really don't care if my food tastes like nonvegan food. If it tastes great, is at least somewhat healthy, is within my budget, and my child will eat it to, then it's my kind of food. Trying to minic a flavor is only going to be disappointing most of the time. Besides, getting over my dairy (cheese) addition was very hard at first. Sampling would have drawn out the process much further.
no, I already know what pretty much everything taste like!
Um, no way. I'm vegan for a reason, and it is to avoid meat, dairy, and eggs and all products made from those. By "just trying" non-vegan foods, then I am supporting a system that I have chosen to abstain from. Just because I'm only having "a bite" of something doesn't mean the chicken that produced that egg or the cow that produced the milk was any less mistreated or abused.
There is plenty of delicious, awesome vegan food out there (and on VW) to try, without exploiting animals to come up with new recipes.
I definitely understand your point, and trust me, I'm vegan for all the same reasons that you are. However, I don't view having "a bite" of something to taste its flavour profile as something that goes against that veganism (because I still hold the same beliefs and convictions-- that animal abuse in the dairy, egg, and meat industries needs to be STOPPED). 1) I wouldn't be buying it (and I believe this is key) and 2) I would be doing it so I could try and create something that negates the need for milk and egg products in the first place.
I only ever think about trying very limited foods, too. Like marscapone cheese. I always wonder what the flavour profile is, because I went vegan so young that i've never had the chance to try it.
I understand it's a hypocritical viewpoint, and I'm struck with guilt the second I even think about trying something that IS non-vegan, so would I actually try the foods? Probably not.
If you've never had it, you don't know what it tastes like and you won't be missing it. Period.
No,I wouldn't if I could help it. Having said that I have been known to consume dairy if I am in a different country and I don't speak the language and really really cannot find anything vegan and I am reaallly hungry. But the few times I've done that the dairy stuff has always tasted off, so I really try not to have dairy for the whole ethical reason, because it grosses me out AND because it tastes bad.
My BIL started trying bites of meat after being veggie for over 20 yrs because he wanted to know what it tasted like as he couldn't remember. He started off only trying small bites of meaty things that my sister had ordered (she's omni) as long as it was 'ethically sourced'. Then he started trying bits of non-ethically sourced meat. Then he started ordering meat when he was out and a bit drunk. Then he started ordering meat when he was out and not drunk and now he eats meat at home occasionally.
So, moral of this story, be careful because one thing can lead to another and it can be a downward spiral.
no, I already know what pretty much everything taste like!
exactly
consciously eating animals products is not vegan... i would not want to give up being vegan to see what something tastes like... there is so much awesome vegan food i don't feel like i'm missing out on anything
If you've never had it, you don't know what it tastes like and you won't be missing it. Period.
Period. Again.
If you've never had it, you don't know what it tastes like and you won't be missing it. Period.
Period. Again.
I agree. Why would it matter to know what mascarpone cheese tastes like? It's unlikely you'd be able to replicate that exact flavor/texture. So, in my opinion, not knowing what it tastes like would actually make it easier to enjoy the vegan versions of cheese (or whatever) for what they are instead of trying to make a direct comparison.
What's important is finding foods that you like or that your partner likes or whomever you may cook for. It doesn't have to taste like anything in particular, just what tastes good to you. You're not going to impress omnis with your dishes, and even if they do taste better than the meaty versions most omnis won't be willing to say that. Focus on making what you like.
You're not going to impress omnis with your dishes, and even if they do taste better than the meaty versions most omnis won't be willing to say that.
I actually disagree. I have impressed many an omni with delicious vegan food! I agree that probably the vast majority of the population wouldn't be very open-minded about vegan food right away, and they might not want to admit that it's really good, but luckily, that hasn't been my experience at all. I guess I'm lucky to know people who aren't afraid to compliment great food, regardless of whether or not it contains animals...
Nah, I feel like I know what most things taste like and/or I don't care to know what some things taste like. I've never been one of those "adventurous" yuppie foodies who gets great thrill out of eating something so refined ( ::) ) as bone marrow. I have had eel before, which tasted as unappealing as it looked. Really, I'd be content with eating avocado cucumber sprout sandwiches for the rest of my life. Yum.
Also, I cannot improvise cooking. I can follow a recipe to a t, but could not create an edible dish on a whim, unless it's a salad. I make some bombass kitchen sink salads :)
VeganRun I think you are my twin. I really couldn't agree more. Being a vegan is vastly more than simple dietary choices its a lifestyle and belief system to me. I could never imagine ditching all those integral parts of who I am to try and recreate something vegan. I never feel like I'm missing out on anything because I get to try all sorts of delicous, healthy and cruelty free foods that most will never get to experience. It means a lot to me to be a vegan and I really wouldn't change that for any circumstance ever especially something as lame as trying it just to try it but thats me.
You're not going to impress omnis with your dishes, and even if they do taste better than the meaty versions most omnis won't be willing to say that.
I actually disagree. I have impressed many an omni with delicious vegan food! I agree that probably the vast majority of the population wouldn't be very open-minded about vegan food right away, and they might not want to admit that it's really good, but luckily, that hasn't been my experience at all. I guess I'm lucky to know people who aren't afraid to compliment great food, regardless of whether or not it contains animals...
I meant that you won't impress an omni with a dish trying to emulate meat. Any time I've ever gotten an omni exited about vegan food it is with fruits, veggies, tofu, etc. Not with fake meats or cheeses or me trying to emulate what they eat on a daily basis. We may think that soy cheese is totally awesome, but I've never met an omni that thought it was anything better than disgusting. Stick with vegan foods that aren't trying to be something they're not.
Oh, yes. I agree with that. There are exceptions to that rule, of course, (one of my biggest meat-eating friends LOVES seitan) - but generally, you're totally right.
Oh, yes. I agree with that. There are exceptions to that rule, of course, (one of my biggest meat-eating friends LOVES seitan) - but generally, you're totally right.
That's impressive. I made seitan for my parents, and they couldn't figure it out. They kept saying "What is this called again?" and "What's this made out of?" and making funny faces. They'll eat any part of an animal presented to them without questioning, but they need the ingredient list for seitan? really?
They'll eat any part of an animal presented to them without questioning, but they need the ingredient list for seitan? really?
I have work friends who love sausage & hot dogs (complete with pig entrails, rodent hairs, bug droppings, nitrates, etc.) but won't eat anything I bring to potlucks & such that has tofu in it ... ???
I've said it before, I'll say it again: humans are weird!
So many people have it in their heads that tofu is disgusting & bland! It's crazy. I think it's because in the U.S., most of us didn't grow up eating tofu so it's this mysterious ingredient to many people. The people who tell me that tofu is "gross" go on to admit that they've only had it once or twice, and that it was mushy & not flavorful because it was prepared by someone who was inexperienced with tofu.
I always remind people that tofu is really flavorful & delicious when prepared well, and that if you just boiled a plain chicken breast in water without any seasonings, that would be bland, too. They usually think for a second & make this face: ??? - then say, "Yeah, that's true..."
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