New Cruelty-Free, Organic Meat Alternative Delivers Delicious Filets to Prepare “Fish” & Chips
Wishing you could eat fish and chips, just without the fish? Upton’s Naturals, the ethical vegan company that kickstarted the jackfruit food trend, is bringing to market Banana Blossom. Mimicking the texture of flaky fish, this 100% vegan, USDA certified organic and kosher whole-food meat alternative makes creating a plant-based version of the British classic recipe a dream that can be delivered.
Also known as a “banana heart,” banana blossoms are an edible, fleshy, purple-skinned and tear-shaped flower that grows at the end of a banana cluster. Its tightly packed petals are neutral in flavor and the texture is soft with just a bit of bite, like an artichoke heart. The blossoms offer a valuable source of potassium, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants. Upton’s Naturals’ Banana Blossom is also low in calories and completely free of fat, cholesterol, added sugar, gluten, soy, oil, GMO’s, and artificial flavors. Cooked in a small amount of brine to prevent oxidation, the new product is ready to heat and serve. In addition, the integrity of the flower “filets” is maintained vs. water-logged and broken like their canned counterparts. Home-cooks can batter and fry them to create perfectly crisp, vegan fish and chips with spot-on texture.
“While banana blossoms are a popular, culinary tradition in Southeast Asia, U.S. cooks have just scratched the surface of working with this unique and versatile ingredient,” said Upton’s Naturals’ founder Dan Staackmann. “We’re on a mission to change that by making this excellent meat alternative, which literally grows on trees, more accessible to mainstream consumers and easier to prepare. The most common use will be for fish and chips, but the opportunities are endless… think paella, stir fry, or banana blossom salads.”
Packaged in a 7oz retort pouch to maintain freshness, Upton’s Naturals’ Banana Blossom is now available at Whole Foods Market stores across the country for an SRP of $3.99, plus online at VeganEssentials.com. The product is shelf stable and sourced from Sri Lanka.
About Upton’s Naturals
Located in Chicago, IL, Upton’s Naturals is an independently-owned natural foods company with a focus on meat alternatives and vegan values. Dedicated to simplicity and the use of real, recognizable ingredients, the Upton’s team pioneered flavored Seitan and kick-started the jackfruit food trend in the U.S. with its first-to-market lineup of pre-seasoned, heat-and-eat young Jackfruit. Their products are now sold in over 5,000 stores in the U.S. and have launched in 15 countries worldwide. The company also runs Upton’s Breakroom, a vegan factory café in Chicago, and Liberation Donuts, a 100% vegan gourmet donut shop. Visit UptonsNaturals.com for more information and find @UptonsNaturals on Facebook and Instagram. Follow @UptonsBreakroom on Facebook and Instagram, as well as @LibertionDonuts on Facebook and Instagram.