IKEA has just announced it will introduce a vegan addition to its in-store menus in 2024.
A hunger built shopping in the maze-like homewares store is often satisfied with some Swedish meatballs or other IKEA cafeteria goods — now a new plant-based option is being added to the list.
A plant-based hot dog — made from rice protein, onion, apple, salt and pepper and which will mimic a classic wiener or frankfurter’s smokey flavours — will debut early next year.
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While the name “plant-based” suggests it does not contain any animal products, a full ingredients list will not be made available until next year — which means it is currently unclear whether the plant-based option will be completely vegan.
Vegan meatballs, ice-cream, and chocolate mousse are already on the IKEA menu along with an existing veggie dog which is technically vegan, although the bun it is nestled in is not.
Unlike the veggie dog, which is more of a vegetable composite consistency made from kale, red lentils, carrots and ginger, the new plant-based hot dog will offer a faux-meat texture.
“The plant-based hot dog was developed to mimic the texture and sensory experience of biting into the classic IKEA meat-based hot dog,” Sweden IKEA food manager Helene von Reis said.
She cites the new vegetarian alternative as a sustainability move “that will have less of an impact on the environment compared with animal-based options”.
“With a great taste, texture, and a snap when you bite it, the plant-based hot dog is a great alternative to the traditional iconic hot dog at IKEA,” she said.
The bustling IKEA “bistro” is a major draw card for Australia homewares shoppers, but food was not always a part of the Scandinavian brand’s image.
When the first in-store cafe opened in 1953 in Älmhult, Sweden, there was just coffee and cake.
By the time the company had 50 stores worldwide, its founder Ingvar Kamprad worried Ikea was losing customers who were getting hungry while they wandered around Ikea’s maze-like complexes.
He envisioned the in-store dining space as a place shoppers could discuss home decoration over a bite to eat.
His friend and then-store manager Sören Hullberg led the company’s food revamp along with introducing the iconic IKEA meatball — two-thirds beef and one-third pork.
Ikea now has several meatballs on offer worldwide — the original, chicken, salmon, vegetarian and a newer plant-based meatball.
IKEA meatballs even survived a damaging recall in 2013 after traces of horse meat were found in a batch in Europe.
– With CNN
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