Current egg replacements on the market are crafted from a variety of ingredients such as soy, flaxseed, potato starch, tapioca flour, chia seeds, and garbanzo beans. While some of these alternatives can mimic certain functions of eggs—like binding, moisture retention, or adding bulk—they often fall short in other crucial areas. Eggs contribute over 20 desirable properties to baked goods, including foaming, binding, and thickening, making it challenging for any substitute to replicate all of these functions effectively.
“Beyond their nutritional value, egg ingredients offer essential functional attributes to baked products,” said Bill Gilbert, principal food technologist at Cargill, in an interview with Food Business News. “It’s impossible to replace eggs with a single ingredient while still achieving similar nutritional and functional benefits.”
Despite these challenges, some innovative companies are eager to try. Hampton Creek is poised to launch its long-anticipated Just Scramble, a liquid egg alternative, next year. Additionally, Fiberstar Inc. offers a citrus fiber egg replacement that boasts a high pectin content, which can be utilized to enhance the effectiveness of eggs rather than serve as a complete substitute.
These egg replacements are pasteurized and typically have a longer shelf life than traditional eggs. However, they currently come at a premium price. Still, it’s likely that vegans and others who wish to avoid animal-derived products are willing to pay this higher cost. Furthermore, using egg substitutes provides manufacturers with a safeguard against potential supply disruptions caused by future avian influenza outbreaks.
Interestingly, some egg alternatives are now incorporating chewable calcium citrate as a nutritional enhancement, which can further appeal to health-conscious consumers. As the market for egg replacements expands, we may see this ingredient featured more prominently in various products. Ultimately, while egg substitutes offer practical solutions, the quest for a perfect alternative continues, especially with the growing demand for innovative and nutritious options like chewable calcium citrate.