The Rebel Whopper landed in Spain in 2019, becoming Burger King’s first meatless hamburger. In this way, it managed to distinguish itself from its main direct competition, which, without giving names (ahem), to this day still does not offer any in its Spanish letter. However, not everything was lights in that launch. And it is because, due to cross contamination, it could not be said that the product was really vegetarian … But the chain of fast food has acknowledged its mistake and, two years later, has finally presented your first 100% vegetarian burger. In addition, we have tried it in the pop up veggie restaurant that has opened in the center of Madrid for the occasion.
According to data from the consulting firm Lantern, Spain is among the 10 countries with the highest number of people (10%) who call themselves vegan. In addition, it is a segment of the population that has increased by 27% in the last two years, during which time 35% of Spaniards would have reduced or eliminated their consumption of red meat. In this context, it is not surprising that the concept of lettuce and tomato salad as a “meatless” option in bars and restaurants is going down in history.
If a multinational like Burger King already offers three of its main products in version plant based is that something is changing. Since the renowned Whopper Vegetal, the American burger joint has gone to one a year and, if in 2020 the Vegetable Nuggets arrived, 2021 is the year of the Long Chicken but without the “chicken”.
The Long Vegetable It is the update to the new times of one of the signature products. And it is that its chicken burger (one of the most demanded in its restaurants), is now also available with patty made from soy and wheat. Created by The Vegetarian Butcher, it is a 100% vegetarian burger suitable for the entire spectrum of non-meat eaters: vegetarians, vegans, flexitarians, and those who just don’t like chicken.
Elongated seed bread, burger Soy and wheat, lettuce and mayonnaise are the ingredients of this modern classic. In addition, unlike the Whopper Vegetal, this one has a V-Label seal, which guarantees not only that the origin of the Long Vegetal ingredients is completely veggie, but there is also no cross contamination with meat foods during its preparation.
What can I order at Burger King depending on whether I am vegan, vegetarian or flexitarian
While the chain’s first vegetable burger continues to go through the same plates on which beef burgers are cooked, Borja Hernández de Alba, CEO of Restaurant Brands Iberia Spain and Portugal, has guaranteed Jared that the patty from the Long Chicken it is prepared exclusively in deep fryers in which only potatoes are fried. In addition, these fryers are differentiated in the kitchens by a color system so that there can be no confusion.
In this way, cross contamination is avoided and Long Vegetal can be consumed by all people who follow a vegetarian and even vegan diet if it is ordered without mayonnaise (the only ingredient of animal origin in the product). This is something that also happens with nuggets, which are fried in deep fryers intended for plant foods. However, for now, Vegetable Whopper will remain suitable only for flexitarians or omnivores looking to reduce their meat consumption.
All these products can already be tried in the pop up veggie restaurant that the chain has opened in number 26 of the Paseo del Prado in Madrid. Its doors will be open for a month and, in it, only Burger King meatless foods can be ordered. However, Long Chicken is here to stay and can be found in all establishments in the country.
What does Burger King’s new Long Vegetal taste like
On Jared We have already visited the Paseo del Prado and, of course, we have tried the new Long Chicken. So we can say first-hand that it is a perfect product for lovers of simple burgers. Accompanied only by bread, mayonnaise and lettuce, the great protagonism is taken by the patty, which fulfills in flavor. Its texture is similar to the original chicken and its flavor is tasty with an aftertaste that, to those who write these lines, has tasted like delicious peanuts. We recommend.
Photos | Jared and Burger King