Riding the ‘Veganuary’ wave, where a 40 pc increase in customer demand for plant-based meals has been noted, Emirates unveils an assortment of new vegan dishes onboard.

Dubai-based carrier Emirates says it has observed a 40 pc increase in customer demand for plant-based meals as awareness of Veganuary reaches a global peak. Veganuary is an initiative that has promoted the advantages of a vegan diet for the past 10 years. 

According to the airline, to meet this demand in 2024, Emirates will introduce an array of new vegan dishes onboard and in lounges later this year, adding even more dishes to its ‘vegan vault’ of more than 300 curated plant-based recipes.

The statement adds that in 2023, Emirates had more than 300 vegan recipes in rotation across 140 destinations, up from 180 recipes in 2022. Emirates also served more than 450,000 plant-based meals onboard last year, an increase from 280,000 plant-based meals served in 2022.

Emirates says vegan meal consumption has grown 40 pc year on year in line with passenger volumes, but in some regions, consumption has exceeded passenger volume growth, such as Africa with an additional 4 pc increase, Southeast Asia with an additional 5 pc increase, and the Middle East showing a significant additional increase of 34 pc. Largest consumers were of Economy Class and significant increases were noted specifically on Emirates routes to China, Japan and Philippines.

The airline adds that in Economy class it offers moreish dishes like chickpea crepe stuffed with carrot, peppers, mushroom and tomato concasse, experience a textured pumpkin frittata, tuck into a tofu tikka masala or chickpea kale stew with parsley pilaf rice and baby spinach. Desserts in Economy include a coconut mousse with mango compote, moist banana cake with chocolate crumble or luscious chocolate pudding with cocoa soil.

In Premium Economy class, customers can opt for dishes like jackfruit curry with basmati rice, or a squash chestnut stew followed by a light chocolate tofu cheesecake or a raspberry parfait with a pop of orange compote.

Emirates’ Business class offerings include roasted cauliflower with ancient grains, caramelised pear and lovage pesto or a warming ragout of Asian tofu and shitake mushroom with glass noodles. Dessert feature  tropical coconut pineapple cake, chocolate cheesecake accented by a dark chocolate cigar and strawberry compote.

For First class, customers will be treated to vegan cuisine like creamy polenta cake with thyme mushroom ragout, sautéed spinach drizzled in a rich root vegetable jus. Dishes offering a burst of sophisticated flavours include aubergine curry with charred rice and turmeric potato, with a dash of coconut and mint chutney. Decadent desserts feature curated contrasts including the tartness of rhubarb tempered with strawberry charlotte, Chantilly cream and raspberry tuille, warm chocolate fondant, dashed with salted caramel sauce and whipped cashew cream.