WunderEggs, the first 100% plant-based alternative to hard-boiled eggs, will soon be available from Austin-based firm Crafty Counter. The counterpart employs whole-food plant components and is free of wheat, soy, and gluten. Instead, it relies on nuts as a source of protein, primarily cashews and almonds, as well as coconut milk, turmeric, and black salt.
According to the manufacturer, it was created using a "unique procedure" to replicate the flavor, feel, and sensory experience of genuine hard-boiled chicken eggs.
Hema Reddy, founder and CEO of Crafty Counter, claims that the inspiration for the company's latest product came during the pandemic, when it became pretty apparent how industrial farms were contributing to not only climate change but also the rise of zoonotic illnesses.
50 billion birds, mostly male chicks, are killed each year for food, and hens are made to suffer for an average of 34 hours for every egg they produce on factory farms. 95% of traditional eggs are produced worldwide in factory farms using battery cages for the hens.
"During the first 2 weeks of Covid, when our nation's food systems started to fail, I got the idea for WunderEggs. The epidemic was just the final straw for me because I already knew how extensive factory farming contributed to climate change, Reddy said.
"We are very thrilled to introduce the vegan revolution to all the fans of plant-based cuisine who haven't had a boiled egg in a while. They are no longer need to forgo a beloved breakfast item or snack.
Whole-food vegan egg made from plants
According to Crafty Counter, in order to appeal to the expanding numbers of health-conscious consumers who are driving the clean label movement, they have made the decision to employ whole food plant-based components as much as possible.
"We don't want highly processed analogs," said Angela McElwee, former CEO of Gaia Herbs, who was welcomed to sample the new WunderEggs as part of Crafty Counter's R&D process. "The climate and moral considerations of eating animal products have many people who are seeking alternatives, but we don't want highly processed analogs."
"We seek wholesome, authentic food. WunderEggs are manufactured with whole-food plant-based components, but they taste exactly like hard-boiled eggs.
Before the end of 2021, Crafty Counter will introduce WunderEggs, which will round out its current vegan product line of three flavors of plant-based Wunder Nuggets made from chickpeas, lentils, chia seeds, cabbage, and carrots.
Market for vegan eggs
The vegan egg market is one that is positioned for quick expansion, even though the overall plant-based retail industry has seen significant growth in recent months, with U.S. sales expected to hit an all-time high of $7 billion in 2020. Sales of plant-based eggs increased by approximately 168% locally year over year.
In addition to Eat Just, a pioneer brand that introduced its mung bean-based JUST Egg back in 2013, more startup companies are now breaking into the market. These include Singapore's Float Foods, Asia's first commercial plant-based whole egg replacement with distinctive egg yolk and whites, and Canada's Nabati Foods, which recently announced that it will soon introduce a lupin bean-based liquid egg.
You'll be amazed to witness your friends' reactions when you try these vegan hard-boiled eggs on them and yourself. You could even get creative and tell them it's the Met Gala in 2022 (for genuine, vegan boiled eggs were served!). Play around with it!
There are numerous uses for them, including deviled eggs, seitan sandwiches, maze plates, and more.
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