Page 14 - CTI65eng-Emaga

c Cover Story

The term “veganism” itself was coined very recent- duction spread around the world due to its nutrition-
ly. In 1944, carpenter Donald Watson and his wife Dot al value and consumer groups, who were allergic to
invented the word. Veganism is a philosophy and way cow’s milk. The success of Hong Kong’s Vitasoy,
of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible which had been introduced as the first soymilk soft
and practicable—all forms of exploitation of animals; drink, inspired many companies in East Asia to
and promotes the development and use of animal-free introduce similar products, which became very
alternatives. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of popular. In the early 1970s new methods were
dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly developed, mostly in the United States (such as
from animals. Just to make it clear, you do not have to the soy protein isolate, hot grind, cotyledon pre-
be vegan to enjoy plant-based diet or your favorite co- blanch, and defatted soy meal methods), which led
conut milk latte. It is true that veganism is based on to major improvements in soymilk flavor by largely
plant-based diet, but today a word ‘vegan’ can also bring eliminating its beany flavors, which had been a major
some political and social disputes to one’s mind. That obstacle to introduction of soymilk outside of China.
is why we stick to call replacement of animal products It was also realized that soymilk, even at relatively
a “plant-based diet”. low volume production, could be retailed for 15-25%
Big part of a plant-based diet is a natural replace- less than cow’s milk, which had always been relatively
ment of dairy. Nowadays there are more and more expensive in densely populated East Asia. The introduc-
options like oat, almond, cashew and peanut milk. tion of the Tetra Pak and Tetra Brik containers in the
Everyone can pick what he early 1970s made it possible to
or she likes. Even though, market soymilk in a colorful,
r i g h t n ow t h e m a r ke t i s Big part of a disposable container that gave
booming with different op- a shelf life of 6 months or
tions, the ‘grandfather’ of all plant-based more without refrigeration.
plant-based milks, that led All of these factors led a num-
the way to others, was soy. diet is a natural ber of East Asia’s and the
Back in ancient times, in world’s largest food compa-
China soymilk was made in replacement nies to make a strong commit-
small soymilk or tofu shops. ment to manufacturing and
Later on, the soymilk pro- of dairy. marketing soymilk.