Chances are that most, if not all, the spices lined up in your kitchen racks right now have not been packaged and transported sustainably, are not produced ethically and have been grown using pesticides… And let’s not even get started on quality!

For a long time, consumers haven’t really paid attention to how sustainable spices are. After all, despite being an important ingredient, spice ranks low in the produce hierarchy – there are bigger things to worry about. But things are changing; with consumers starting to take more notice and focusing on all aspects of the food industry, spices are increasingly getting roped into conversations regarding sustainability.

Similarly, the values of buyers are also changing. In a recent survey, a significant majority of respondents said they were ready to pay up to 35 percent more for a product that is environmentally sustainable.

See also: 10 Useful Food Sustainability Terms

What are sustainable spices?

While there is no strict definition on how a spice becomes labelled as sustainable, to put it simply, we can say that it’s sustainable if it is of high quality, ethically produced and strives to achieve a net-zero carbon footprint.

First, let’s look at production. High-quality, sustainable spices are usually single-origin, meaning they come from a single place – a single farm or region – as opposed to the blends prevalent in most supermarket brands. Keeping things single-origin preserves the spice’s flavour and gives consumers a fresher, more intense experience.

Another term you will see is ‘organic spices’, which means exactly what you think – spices that were grown without the use of chemicals, preservatives or pesticides. Aside from the growing process, how spices are bought from farmers is also important. The hallmark of sustainable spices is direct trade with farmers. Conventional spices are bought through indirect trade and as such, a company goes through a chain of distributors, exporters, importers and other parties to secure their order.

Direct trade results in a more equitable relationship with the actual spice producers themselves, giving them a larger slice of the revenue instead of losing money through a plethora of middlemen. Sounds familiar? Indeed, it does – fair trade for the win!

And finally, a low carbon footprint. Another benefit of dealing directly with farmers is that the supply chain is significantly shortened, thus saving on transport costs and emissions.

Sustainable spices are also packaged differently than their conventional cousins. For instance, they’ll use recyclable materials for their packaging or encourage you to bring your own containers – as with Hong Kong bulk stores like Live Zero and Slowood, or even century-old chefs’ favourite Yuan Heng Spice Company – to maintain carbon neutrality.

See also: 8Shades Of… Tamsin Thornburrow Of Live Zero

Where to buy sustainable spices in Hong Kong?

If you’re new to the world of sustainable spices, the first step would be to visit one of the many farmers’ markets Hong Kong has to offer. The easiest to visit would probably be the farmers’ market at the Star Ferry Central Pier, which currently runs on Wednesdays and Sundays, but there are also farmers’ markets in Tai Po, Mei Foo and Fanling.

Aside from the bulk buy retailers mentioned earlier, another option is to hit up SpiceBox Organics in the Mid-Levels, Kennedy Town and Tseung Kwan O for a variety of organic spices; they even have their own in-store vegetarian cafés for a quick bite or drink during your shop!

There’s also Regency Spices, a Hong Kong-based online store that specialises in sustainable spices. You can opt for your order to be packaged in recyclable paper to make it even more eco-friendly.

But the best way to access sustainable spices? Grow them! There’s no better alternative to fresh seasoning than by plucking something delicious straight out of your spice and herb box. Try looking around Prince Edward Flower Market to see what you can grow in your kitchen, window box, balcony or garden – and enjoy!

See also: 8Shades Of… Michelle Hong Of Rooftop Republic

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As such, sustainability is no longer just a trend, but a crucial value which more and more companies have embedded into their practices and operations. From zero waste food manufacturing facilities to 100% renewable power generation, here are 10 sustainable food companies that are leading the way and how they’re doing it. 

Alara Wholefoods

The first cereal company to gain organic certification in 1988 and the first food company in the UK to reach zero waste in 2008, Alara has been trailblazer when it comes to sustainable food practices and manufacturing. Today, it remains committed to sustainability and is working with plastic-free and compostable packaging to help reduce its environmental impact.

Aside from zero waste, Alara uses 100% electricity generated from renewable sources such as hydro, solar and wind energy, and offsets the carbon embedded in the food the company sells by collaborating with a charity called Rainforest Saver. The initiative works with indigenous farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, central and South America to introduce an agricultural system called Inga Alley Cropping, where each Inga planted over a 20 year lifespan will sequester half a ton of carbon.

Barnana

As the name suggests, Barnana is a sustainable food company that upcycles fresh bananas and plantains that would have otherwise been discarded due to its “imperfect” appearance.  Organic banana farmers were losing 20% of their yield as a result of poor aesthetics, piling up significant food waste.

Barnana purchases crops from smallholder and indigenous farmers at 30% above market prices to ensure fair wages, and turns the wasted bananas into crisps and other food products. The company is also supporting Indigenous farmers in expanding their regenerative agricultural practices, which can help improve soil health and water quality in the long run.

Brewer’s Crackers

This food company’s range of chips and crackers are “made with upcycled grains”. American breweries produce over 1 billion tons of edible food waste every year, where high-quality grains from the beer-making process are vastly discarded and wasted.

Brewer’s Crackers takes and recycles these flavourful by-products (steeped in barley and water), combines them with 100% whole wheat flour to create healthy and sustainable crackers and flatbreads.The products comes in a variety of simple but delicious flavours including rosemary and sea salt. 

Clif Bar and Company

Clif Bar and Company offers a wide range and variety of protein and energy bars and drinks, while taking different measures to ensure their commitment to sustainability. This includes a traceability programme to make sure they know where ingredients are coming from, increasing organic and certified-sustainable purchases every year (currently 76% of all ingredients are organic or certified sustainable), diverting 90% of waste from landfills from its headquarters and bakeries, and aiming to achieve 100% on renewable energy to power its facilities.

As it strives towards zero waste, Clif Bar is also working towards reducing its carbon footprint via emission offset with a partnership with American Forests. To date, the company has planted 150,000 trees in areas damaged by wildfires and areas contributing to watershed restoration.

Island Bakery

One of the leading sustainable food companies can be found on the rugged Isle of Mull in Scotland. Island Bakery is a proud purveyor of organic biscuits, in which all ingredients that are used are free from pesticides or artificial fertilisers and are fully traceable back to the producer. They also ensure milk is from cows that enjoy “the highest standards of animal welfare”.

The company’s biscuit production is environmentally-sustainable too, where the factory building is powered 100% by local sources of renewable energy – a hydro-electric turbine on the neighbouring Tobermory river, and a single wind turbine set on a hill above the bakery. The food products are also baked using a sustainable fuel source, where ovens are heated using local wood chip from Mull’s timber plantations. 

Lundberg Family Farms

Best known for its rice and rice products (think risotto and couscous), this family-owned-and-operated US company has made a commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly farming methods all the way back in 1937, where they pioneered many stewardship practices including flooding fields rather than burning them to break down rice stubble after harvest, thus providing cleaner air and habitat for millions of migrating waterfowl each winter.

The Lundberg Family Farms also utilises cover and rotating crops, as well as other natural methods of pest control.  20% of its production is powered by solar energy. What’s more, the company has rescued more than 30,000 mallard duck eggs from fields ahead of harvest, which are then released back into the wild, making it one of the most sustainable food companies in the US.

Nature’s Path

Based in British Columbia in Canada, Nature’s Path is a producer of certified organic foods, best known (and popular) for its breakfast cereals and granola. Aside from its commitment to making healthy vegetarian and vegan food products, two of its three facilities have achieved Zero Waste Certification. The facilities have installed a rainwater harvesting system, meaning less water is used and wasted; an on-site composting facility; as well as a rooftop garden.

Its organic farming method is also said to use 45% less energy than conventional farming practice. Another shining example of its dedication to sustainability is that the company provides employee grants for education, energy-efficiency and wellness activities; sponsors urban gardening and other environmental education programmes, as well as an annual US$2 million donation worth of food to those in need. 

NOW Foods

Another family-owned business joining the list of sustainable food companies is NOW Foods. Founded in 1968, the company has been providing quality foods and supplements for more than 40 years. Sustainable food sourcing is a core value for NOW, where they verify to use only palm oil derived from cultivations that are over 20 years old and krill oil is sourced from well-managed fisheries.

NOW Foods has received the Illinois Governor’s Sustainability Award four times, in recognition of its water conservation projects that helped save more than 1.3 million gallons of water every year. The company also recycles more than 400 tons of material, while relying 100% of recycled materials for its shipping boxes – they use recyclable packaging materials when possible. Additionally, it also offers employee volunteer days at a local forest preserve.

Pukka

A familiar name for many tea lovers and drinkers, Pukka is a popular brand that offers a wealth of Fair Trade-certified teas to the masses. Sourcing only organic ingredients, this certified B Corporation has successfully gone carbon neutral in 2019 and remains committed to its sustainability efforts.

Aside from making their packaging as sustainable as possible – from recyclable boxes to compostable tea bags – Pukka is engaged in a number of green initiatives to lower their carbon footprint. This includes providing support to farmers to implement best practice techniques through community fair premiums, and pilot projects and training, such as water efficient farming in India and rainwater harvesting in the UK. 

Bombay Sapphire

A popular gin brand in its own right, Bombay Sapphire has also helped lead the way in sustainable practices within the drinks and spirits industry. The company moved its operations to Laverstoke in the UK in 2014 where its distillery has since been certified as a green building and runs on 100% renewable electricity. For its gin products, Bombay Sapphire only selects the finest quality botanicals, in which all 10 botanical ingredients used across the brand’s collection will be certified sustainable in 2022. 

This article was originally written and published by Earth.Org and is republished here as part of an editorial partnership.

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As we kickstart 2022, here are eight sustainable food trends you can look forward to:

1. Edible Packaging

To reduce the use of plastics packaging, many companies are innovating with edible food packaging that’s made of materials such as lipids, proteins and polysaccharides. What’s great is that these planet friendly wraps extend shelf life, food quality and hygiene.

For instance, U.S.-based Appeel Sciences has created an invisible, plant-based edible skin that can slow down the respiration rate of fruits and vegetables. This will remove the need for plastics and also extend the shelf life of food, thereby reducing food waste.

2. More wholesome plant–based alternatives

While plant-based and alternative proteins are better for the planet, some of them can be highly processed and high in sodium and saturated fats. Luckily, there will be more wholesome and nutritional plant-based options to come.

Both Singapore-based Karana and US-based Jack & Annie’s creates meat alternatives with jackfruit as a base. Portland company AKUA has also created a Kelp Burger made from ocean-farmed kelp. Did you know? Kelp is an extremely sustainable plant that helps absorb carbon from our atmosphere.

3. Eco-labelling on Food Products

If you’ve ever had trouble looking up the carbon footprint of your food, you’re not alone! Food manufacturers and retailers worldwide are starting to communicate the environmental impact of their food items on their packaging.

Right now, ecolabels are mostly found on plant-based brands such as Quorn or Oatly, some of the largest food manufacturers and retailers are starting to jump onto the eco-labelling bandwagon. From Unilever to M&S, global brands are experimenting with ecolabels that communicate the impact of their food.

4. Upcycled Foods

Tackling the massive challenge of food waste, food companies are innovating with the  byproducts of food to create entirely new foods or lifestyle items.

For example, brands such as Toast Ale and Hong Kong’s own Breer use leftover bread from bakeries to brew beer, while UK-based Rubies in the Rubble, collects misshapen and surplus fruits and vegetables and turns them into chutneys and ketchup.

5. Certified Regenerative Foods

‘Regenerative agriculture’ has already been a buzzword for a while, with major food brands from Pepsi Co, to Walmart and General Mills committing to sourcing some of their crops from regenerative farms.

In simple terms, regenerative agriculture is a farming practice that uses more natural processes so that soil health, surrounding ecosystems and wildlife can be protected during farming. Even though many corporations have made regenerative agriculture related commitments, it is hard for consumers to verify this because there are currently no global certifications for regenerative products.

Thankfully, we will be seeing more certified regenerative foods in the near future, as more schemes such as Regenerative Organic Alliance’s ‘Regenerative Organic Label’ are launched.

6. ‘Ancient Grains’ and ‘Forgotten Crops’

If you’re a foodie, you might have heard the term ‘ancient grains’ mentioned more often by chefs, nutritionists and food brands over the past two years. Ancient grains such as amaranth, buckwheat, millet and sorghum are making a comeback, both because they are found to be nutritional powerhouses and because of global demand.

Currently, our world is dominated by four crops: maize, rice, soya bean and wheat. Diversifying our crop sources will benefit farmlands and ease demand for the major crops. UK brand Insane Grain is disrupting the snacking sector with their puffed Sorghum, while Hong Kong’s very own zero-waste store, Liv Zero, has their own in-house ‘Ancient Grains House Blend’ of granola.

7. Potato Milk

Plant-based milks such as oat, almond and cashew milk have already disrupted the dairy market, gaining a significant portion of market share. Swedish brand DUG introduced another novel plant milk last year made from potatoes. Potato milk was developed by Lund University professor Eva Tornberg, using emulsion technology to blend potatoes and rapeseed oil.

Its creaminess and sustainable credentials have caused a lot of hype, but will potato milk catch on here in Hong Kong? Only time will tell!

8. Sustainable Spirits

Although the spirits sector may not be the first to come to mind when thinking of waste, it actually has a relatively high carbon footprint. Processes including distillation and refrigeration consume significant amounts of energy, while bottled spirits also create a lot of packaging waste. Fortunately, brands are innovating at lightning speed, giving us a chance to drink responsibly and sustainably.

To reduce packaging waste, ecoSPIRITS devised a circular solution aimed at reducing packaging by selling spirits to F&B venues in bulk. The circular economy is also increasingly embraced by spirits brands.

Discarded Spirits caught our eye with their circular spirits made of ingredients such as unwanted coffee grounds and leftover citrus husks.  Finnish brand Korskenkorva Vodka is another brand to look out for; the brand produces vodka with barley that is regeneratively farmed. It also aims to be carbon neutral by 2050!

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In our latest 8Shades’ Gift Guide, delight the gourmands in your life with our selection of gift ideas for foodies, all sourced from companies in Hong Kong that are doing their part in making sure we are meeting the needs of the present, without compromising the future.

1. Biodynamic Wine Box

Wine connoisseurs will appreciate La Cabane’s extensive selection of natural and biodynamic wines, made without chemical treatments, sulfites, and with minimal technological intervention. The Bubbly Wine box is perfect for holiday gatherings, featuring six different types of sparkling wine,  including Ari Pét-Nat 2021, from Travis Tausend Wines in Australia, Bubulle 2014, from Domaine Jousset in France, and Crick 2018, from Lammidia in Montepulciano, Italy. 

Available at lacabane.hk

2. Plant-based Christmas Cheese, Crackers and Dip

Garden Hill, a plant-based creamery founded by professional chef Jan Yeung, following her work with Grassroots Pantry and Nectar, has put together a Christmas Hamper with all their top sellers: aged sharp cheese from cashew and coconut cream; feta cheese, truffle mayo and herbed cream cheese from tofu; black cumin and rosemary crackers, shortbread, and Everything Cashew dip, packed in a Garden Hill tote bag, for HK$520/set. The company delivers free around Hong Kong for orders over HK$400. Please order hampers three days in advance. 

Available at gardenhillhk.com

3. Ethically Sourced Chocolate

Founded by a Swiss and Israeli couple who met in Hong Kong and have a passion for experimenting with food, Conspiracy Chocolate is a small-batch, bean-to-bar craft chocolate company with its own licensed creation lab in Wong Chuk Hang. They use hand-sorted cacao beans from a single farm in Dak Lak province in Vietnam, and the tasting notes of the cacao are earth, spicy and fruity with a full-bodied finish. Conspiracy Chocolate’s vegan bars are 75% cacao or higher, and do not contain anything besides cacao and minimal amounts of organic, raw cane sugar.

Popular chocolate bars include Genmaicha, CBD and Salt and Caramel. For the holidays, Conspiracy Chocolate have created  limited-time-only Christmas specials, including Maple Pecan and Christmas Pine chocolate bars, and coated caramelised almonds. Order online or visit their pop-up at Freida Club in Sai Ying Pun from 28 November to 12 December. 

Available at conspiracychocolate.com

4. Vegan Christmas Cookies

The Vege Lab, a pastry shop founded by passionate vegan baker Yuki in 2018, is dedicated to creating beautiful and delicious desserts that are made from 100% plant-based ingredients, free from dairy, eggs and animal products.

This year’s special Christmas Cookie Box includes melt-in-your-mouth Wasanbon Shortbread, fruity Candied Lemon Earl Gray cookies; crispy Kochi Yuzu Pink Pepper Frosting Cookies and Strawberry Chocolate Sandwich cookies made with Valrhona’s vegan cookie filling. The box also contains Tieguanyin Tea Almond Snowballs and flavourful Caffe Mocha Pecan Cookies. Each box is HK$320, but order two or more for a 10% discount.

Available at thevegelab.com

5. Green Platter 

A ‘Green’ Platter or Grazing Table would be the best gift for friends who love to host parties. A typical platter would include artisanal cheese, organic fruit and dips, freshly baked bread and a variety of savouries that can be customised based on the receiver’s preferences.

The Green Platters company ethos focuses on the use of sustainable and fresh (locally sourced, if possible) food, eco-friendly packaging, and giving back to the community, therefore all their suppliers are ethical and packaging is biodegradable or plant-based. 

Available at thegreenplatters.com

6. Vegan Baking Gift Hamper

Gift Hampers Hong Kong is a great place to find a variety of gourmet hampers for the holidays, and in case you’re in a rush, the site offers same day delivery.  The Vegan Baking Hamper is the perfect gift for a friend who has just started experimenting with the oven. It includes a chef’s apron, novelty kitchen timer, organic tea, extra virgin olive oil, organic coconut butter, gluten-free marble cake mix, baking cups and cookie cutters. 

Available at gifthampers.com.hk

7. Green Forest Hamper

Le Fromage, founded by Chef Tina Barrat, who is also behind the recently opened fine-dining restaurant Ma… and the Seeds of Life, is dedicated to creating hand-crafted plant-based cheeses using nutritionally dense ingredients like cashews and almonds. Le Fromage offers at least 20 different types of vegan cheeses, among which the bestsellers are truffle-infused Shamembert, and creamy and flavourful Brie: Pink Peppercorn, both made with cashews. The online and K11 Musea stores also carry keto breads, gluten-free crackers and mushroom faux gras.

The Green Forest hamper includes a mix of Le Fromage’s signature vegan cheeses such as the Shamembert (235g), Sharp Cheddar (160g) and artisanal treats like fig chutney, almond flour keto bread; and comes with a bottle of Absolute Zero Nectar Alcohol-Free sparkling wine.

Available at lefromage.com.hk

8. Coffee Starter Set 

Another ethical company born out of romance, Impact Berry was founded by a couple who met while volunteering in then earthquake-devastated regions of Indonesia. Timo and Sonja started looking for ways for the villagers to create new streams of income, discovered their rich heritage and expertise in coffee, and brought this to Hong Kong.

Impact Berry now helps communities in Indonesia and Vietnam by sourcing all of their coffee beans from these areas and making sure the beans are grown, processed and distributed in a responsible way, and with their carbon footprint low.

Coffee lovers will enjoy Impact Berry’s Coffee Starter set, which includes three assorted blends of coffee beans with tasting notes, a hand grinder and French Press Coffee Maker, letting you brew delicious coffee without any other equipment. Their Coffee Bean Tasting Set is also a great way to get acquainted with their medium roast coffee beans (use the code SANTACALLING! to get a HK$50 discount).

Available at impactberry.com.hk

More gift guides:

• 8Shades Gift Guide: Lifestyle Gifts For Men
• 8Shades’ Gift Guide: Ethical Gifts in Hong Kong
• 8Shades’ Gift Guide: For Yogis

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Whatever your reason for going plant-based – health, environmental or ethical – vegan bakeries are exploding in the 852, meaning you don’t have to go far to indulge in your favourite desserts. Here are our picks of the best vegan cakes in Hong Kong and where to get ’em:

See also: The Best Vegan Cookies In Hong Kong

1. The Cakery

If you have a sweet tooth but want to satisfy it healthily with vegan cakes in Hong Kong, look no further than The Cakery. They make scores of amazing keto, gluten-free, paleo, low sugar and – of course – vegan sweet treats, including croissants, swiss rolls and bespoke cakes. With their focus on health, The Cakery takes the “guilt” out of “guilty pleasures!”

Our fave: Black sesame cotton cake.

The Cakery, Shop 124, Lee Garden Two, Causeway Bay and Shop 303, Landmark, Central, as well as selected City’Super locations, Landmark shop: +852 6683 3833; Lee Garden Shop: +852 2816 1838

2. Bien Caramélisé

This Kowloon bakery is committed to creating their confections with natural ingredients and no animal products, while sourcing produce from local small businesses. Many of their creations are topped with edible flowers, making for ethereal desserts!

Our fave: Chocolate, banana and hazelnut cake.

Note: They only accept orders through Whatsapp/ Email and orders must be made at least 72 hours before collection!

Bien Caramélisé, Shop D, 1/F, Hentiff Building, 160 Prince Edward Road West, Hong Kong, Whatsapp +852 5239 5198, jessica@biencaramelise.com

3. Koke Lab

Koke Lab is a Hong Kong online-based vegan pastry shop founded in 2018 that offers a range of vegan cakes. According to the founder, her treats are inspired by nature, which is seen in the earthy tones of many of the creations, and are the stuff of dreams.

Our fave: Three-layered vegan sesame mocha mousse cake.

Koke Lab, Flat 12, 10/F, Shing Yip Industrial Building, 19-21 Shing Yip Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon (their studio), + 852 5722 4452

4. Vege Lab

After becoming a vegetarian and then learning to make desserts without eggs and dairy, founder Yuki created The Vege Lab to not only create delicious foods, but also to share the concept of caring for the environment. The team creates their tarts, cookies and cakes with organic ingredients, making them a top choice for vegan cakes in Hong Kong.

Our fave: Vegan Victorian Earl Grey Cake.

The Vege Lab, Room S, 10/F, Everest Industrial Centre, 396 Kwun Tong Road, Kwun Tong, +852 5332 6500 (Whatsapp only).

5. Sweetpea Cafe

Sweetpea Cafe creates a plethora of jaw-droppingly sugar- and gluten-free beautiful cakes, and while not all of them are vegan, those that are happen to be some of their most popular cakes.

Our fave: Sweet potato and coconut cake.

Sweetpea Café, 4 Shin Hing Street, Sheung Wan, +852 3689 7269

6. Vego Coffee

While this cafe offers brunch options, their Hong Kong vegan cakes are the cherry on top. The selection changes daily, but you can safely assume that whatever you’ll get will be delicious and planet-friendly. Plus, the cafe is pet-friendly!

Our fave: Vegan durian cake.

Vego Coffee, Shop 7B, 154–156 Austin Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, +852 6808 3768

7. JOMO Coffee & Cakes

JOMO makes traditional cakes, as well as vegan cakes in Hong Kong. Their range of vegan cakes are simple, but no less yummy – made without animal products and refined sugars, they’re sure to please even the most adamant of chocolate lovers!

Note: Place your order three days in advance! 

Our fave: Vegan carrot cake.

JOMO Coffee & Cakes, Shop D, 3 Sam To Lane, 4 Water Street, Sai Ying Pun, +852 2762 0258

8. Sweet Secrets

Started in 1999, Sweet Secrets is a stalwart of the Hong Kong confectionary scene. They offer food for a variety of diets, including keto, gluten-free and vegan. They have an extensive menu of cupcakes, cookies and cakes which are free of refined sugar, soy, eggs, nuts and dairy. Plus, they’re happy to make anything on order. They’re now only available online. 

Our fave: Beetroot chocolate cake.

Sweet Secrets, Room 1203, Wing Lee Industrial Building, 54 Tong Mi Road, Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong Kong (by appointment only), +852 9371 9089, info@SweetSecrets.com.hk

9. Bake to Basics

Bake to Basics make classic dessert items like cakes and cookies, but they’re by no means ordinary. Made without animal products and refined sugars, and low on the Glycemic Index (GI) scale, Bake to Basics offers healthy (and delicious) alternatives to dessert foods, including delicious vegan cakes in Hong Kong.

Our fave: Vegan Hojicha black sesame cake.

Place your order through their official website.

10. Bomb Cakes Hong Kong

Bomb Cakes makes handcrafted vegan cakes that are jaw-droppingly gorgeous and colourful. They take classic flavours like chocolate and vanilla and turn them into cakes that are anything but classic. In short, their rainbow-coloured vegan cakes are the bomb (sorry, we had to)!

Note: Pre-order your cakes three days in advance!

Our fave: Vanilla dreams rainbow cake.

Email order@bombcakeshk.com to place your order, or send them a Whatsapp message at +852 5334 7784.

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See also: The Best Vegan Burgers in Hong Kong

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Kardashian West has also been in the news for her plant-based diet, with many still wondering whether she’s gone vegan for good.

According to various sources, Kardashian West began removing animal products from her diet in 2019, and in that year, she announced on Instagram that she actually eats completely plant-based foods at home. Shortly afterwards, the celebrity offered fans a peek into her kitchen and pantry, showing off fruits and vegetables, rows of plant-based milks and a freezer full of Beyond Sausages. Her family has also joined her in her quest to be plant-based, except for her daughter who eats fish.

She continues to regularly share her favourite vegan dishes and treats, which includes Oreos, sea moss smoothies, vegan tacos, zucchini chips and Beyond Burgers.

Later in 2019, she discussed her decision to stick to a mostly plant-based diet, saying that it came down to her experience with psoriasis, an autoimmune disease that commonly causes red patches on the skin, and how she changed her diet to minimise flare-ups. 

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A post shared by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian)

The benefits of going plant-based

There are plenty of health benefits to adopting a more plant-based diet, which include lower rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and even certain types of cancers. In those people who suffer from psoriasis, eating a plant-based diet can help manage flare-ups because it is naturally low in inflammatory foods, like red meat.

Besides the health benefits, cutting out meat reduces greenhouse gases significantly – food production accounts for as much as 37% of global annual greenhouse gases, with meat representing 60% of this!

Whilst Kardashian West is not fully vegan – occasionally indulging in non-vegan treats like dairy ice cream – her decision to be mostly plant-based will no doubt encourage many of those who are undecided about cutting back on meat or ditching it altogether. 

Follow Kardashian West’s lead and challenge yourself to eating just one plant-based meal a week, or even better, one plant-based meal per day. There are so many yummy recipes out there and with products like Impossible and Beyond Meat, cutting out meat is easier than ever!

See also: Meatless Monday: Impossible Japanese Potato Croquettes Recipe

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Just like its competitor and some might say, predecessor, OmniPork, Impossible Pork can be used in any recipe that calls for actual ground pork, including spring rolls, meatballs, dumplings, xiao long bao, siu mai or sausage links, making it easier than ever to cut down on your meat consumption!

To celebrate the launch, you can now try delicious Impossible Pork dishes at the Tong Chong Street Market in Taikoo Place from now until the end of October.

Also, from 4-8 October 2021, Impossible will be giving away 100 free Impossible Pork Bento Boxes daily from 15 participating restaurants. These boxes will feature a different theme each day, from Dim Sum and Classic Chinese, to East Meets West and South-East Asian, and each will have three tasting portion dishes from popular restaurants including Tim Ho Wan, Good BBQ, Bloom by Wong Jia Sha, Indonesia 1968, Check-in Taipei, Kyoto Katsugyu and Years. 

After this initial phase, from October 4, more than 40 partner restaurants will continue serving Impossible Pork dishes alongside their normal offerings. Some of these dishes include the Eggplant and Impossible Pork Casserole at MX, Pork Meatballs in an Italian Tomato Sauce with Linguini at Ruby Tuesday and Impossible Suckling Pig served with steamed lotus bread at My Meat Run Laboratory.

You’ll also be able to buy ready-to-cook dishes made with Impossible Pork at selected PARKnSHOP stores in Hong Kong from October onwards. These dishes include Impossible Pork Dumplings with Chinese Cabbage, Impossible Deep Fried Bean Curd Roll, Steamed Impossible Pork Patty with Preserved Vegetables and Impossible Pork Cube Stir Fry with Mixed Vegetables. 

The Benefits of Impossible Pork

Alternative meat products are more sustainable than their traditional counterparts, but in particular, Impossible Pork uses 85% less water, 82% less land and generates 73% less greenhouse gas emissions than traditional pork products. 

The rising popularity of alternative meat products is making it easier than ever to give up meat, or simply eat less of it. You can use Impossible Pork to make your usual favourite meals, or gather your friends for a Meatless Monday meal and experiment with different recipes! Here’s some inspiration for Meatless Monday recipes.

See also: 8 Benefits of Going Meatless

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Honey is a controversial food among vegans and is probably the product most frequently mistaken as being vegan-friendly. There is a common myth that honey bees make their honey especially for us, but this isn’t true. 

To make the most money, many commercial bee farmers use unethical business practices, including clipping the wings of queen bees to prevent them from fleeing the hive and killing off entire colonies to prevent the spread of disease. 

Essentially, honey farming exploits bees and threatens their health. Honey is intended to provide bees with carbohydrates and other essential nutrients like antioxidants, amino acids and natural antibiotics. Bees store honey and consume it over the winter months, helping them to stay healthy and survive during cold weather. When it is sold, the honey is taken away from bees and is often replaced with sucrose or high-fructose corn syrup. However, this doesn’t provide bees with the nutrients found in honey and these artificial sweeteners could harm the bees’ immune systems. 

The number of bees worldwide is declining rapidly; just in the US, honey bees declined from about 6 million hives in 1947 to 2.4 million in 2008, a 60% reduction! With the planet getting warmer, and human development damaging bees’ habitats, this number is likely much lower now. 

Bees are vitally important for us and our health; they pollinate plants when they collect nectar, allowing plants to produce fruits and seeds so that new plants can be made. When bees thrive, plants thrive, and that’s important for us to have a sustainable source of food!

Vegan Alternatives for Honey

Here are some of the most common plant-based options that can replace honey:

• Maple syrup – made from the sap of the maple tree, maple syrup is a healthy option, containing several vitamins and minerals with more than 20 protective antioxidants.
• Blackstrap molasses – this comes from boiling sugar cane and is a thick, dark-brown liquid. Another healthy option, blackstrap molasses is rich in iron and calcium.
• Barley malt syrup – with a golden colour and a flavour similar to that of blackstrap molasses, barley malt syrup is a sweetener made from sprouted barley. 
• Brown rice syrup – this is made by exposing brown rice to enzymes that break down the starch found in rice to produce a thick, dark-coloured syrup. It’s also known as rice or malt syrup.
• Date syrup – as the name suggests, date syrup is made by extracting the liquid portion of cooked dates. You can make it at home by blending boiled dates with water.

The next time you have a smoothie or cup of tea, consider drizzling it with one of these plant-based options instead – the future health of bees (and humans) could depend on it! This is arguably the easiest thing that we can do in our personal lives to protect the future of these vital insects. Many of these plant-based options are identical in taste and can be used in the same way, so there’s very little extra effort needed on your part! 

See also: 8 Plant-Based Milk Alternatives

The post The Truth About… Honey appeared first on 8Shades.

The limited-edition food set is made using locally-grown vegan ingredients and features three items: a plant-based Katsu Sando that uses locally grown sweet potato and kale, complemented with togarashi mayo and served on charcoal bread; and tofu cream cheese tarts with white chocolate icing. To drink, customers can choose from two of Between’s signature options: the Sesame Mountain – made of black sesame paste and coconut milk – or the Direct Trade Coffee, which has notes of ginger lily, lemon and oolong tea. 

The set will be available exclusively at Between’s Tai Kwun location and via their online delivery service from 27 August to 26 September 2021. 

The “Net Goes Green” food set is an expansion of Net-a-Porter’s “Net Sustain” initiative, a curation of eco-conscious fashion and beauty products. For a brand to be considered for the initiative, it must go through an assessment that takes into account human, animal and environmental welfare. It also has to align with certain criteria, like the materials used, ingredients and processes to reduce waste. Net Sustain currently houses 153 brands. 

Also from August, Net-a-Porter is introducing Digital ID technology in certain products, which allows customers to track a product’s life cycle, from design to resale and recycle. 

As more and more of us question the sustainability of the materials and life cycle of the products that we buy, retailers like Net-a-Porter are adjusting their practices accordingly. Consumers have the power to dictate to brands what they want to see in products, so let’s use this power for good!

Remember to head to Between at Tai Kwun from 27 August and 16 September 2021 to get your hands on the Net Goes Green set.

Between at Tai Kwun, 2/F, JC Contemporary, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, open daily from 11am to 8pm

See also: Louis Vuitton Releases its First Sustainable, Unisex Shoe

The post Is This Hong Kong’s Most Fashionable Eco Coffee? appeared first on 8Shades.