Are eggs vegetarian? It depends on your beliefs, for instance, if you’re a Hindu the answer’s no. What are vegetarian foods after all? Broadly, they are foods that are not flesh, be it seafood, poultry, beef or other types of meat. Again, depending on your beliefs, even some cheeses can be non-vegetarian, owing to the use of calf rennet (extracted from the stomachs of young calves), the enzyme mixture used to curdle the milk in cheesemaking. Regardless, any product of the animal industry, whether dairy or eggs, are borne of animal cruelty, even if raised free in pastures. The reason for that is the huge demand for both, which calls for their production at the lowest possible (short-sighted) economic costs. And so, when the yield decreases as the animal ages, there is nothing to do but to ‘cut the losses’ i.e kill the animal and sell it for meat. So, unless you know for a fact that the farm from where your milk or eggs come from does not practice any cruel practice, there’s no way other than going vegan.

That’s where plant-based eggs come in, the best of which mimic the taste, aroma and mouthfeel rather convincingly. They can be used to make Omelettes, Scrambles, French Toasts, and so on. Many can also be used for baking as well, except for things that require a lot of aeration (meringues, soufflés and the like).

Below, are eleven of the best-tasting plant-based egg alternatives;

1. Plantmade

The biggest underdog on this list, Plantmade is an Indian startup which makes plant-based eggs in both powdered and liquid forms. Their Vegetarian Anda liquid and powder are both made from Mung Beans. They can be used go make omelettes, scrambles, French toasts, Bhurjis…

Vegetarian Anda Liquid Ingredients

Moong Dal, Chana Dal, Carrageenan, Gellan Gum, Black Salt, Corn Starch, Refined Oil, Methyl Cellulose, Curcumin Extract, Carotene Extract, Nisin, Potassium Sorbate, Calcium Lactate, Yeast extract and Natural Flavours.

2. JUST EGG

JUST EGG is by far the biggest name on this list, and you probably already know it. Formerly known as Beyond Egg, the base ingredient across all their products is Mung/Moong Bean Protein Isolate. They have 3 products, namely Just Egg, Just Egg Folded and Just Egg Sous Vide.