Caribou Coffee Just Launched Its First-Ever Vegan Flatbread
Vegans, rejoice! Coffee giant Caribou Coffee is rolling out a brand-new, totally vegan breakfast sandwich.
As announced in a press release, Caribou has partnered with JUST Egg for its new JUST Egg Roasted Tomato & Pesto Flatbread. The flatbread sandwich features a JUST Egg base topped with roasted tomatoes, smoked vegan provolone, and a vegan pesto spread. While Caribou offers a number of vegetarian options on its menu, this is its first-ever completely vegan offering.
The sandwich is being launched as a limited release at almost 400 Caribou Coffee locations around the U.S., making it the largest coffee chain to feature JUST Egg on its menu, according to Caribou.
JUST Egg is a plant-based egg alternative made from mung bean protein, according to VegNews, and since its release in 2019, JUST Egg has already given competing brands like Egg Beaters a run for their money, reports Food Navigator USA.
A move for vegan diets and the planet
Switching to plant-based alternatives isn't just a dietary decision; it also has a substantial environmental impact. As Caribou notes in its press release, JUST Egg products require 83% less land and 98% less water to manufacture than traditional chicken eggs, but they pack roughly the same amount of protein. The 93% fewer carbon emissions don't hurt, either.
Caribou Coffee is part of parent company Panera Brands, which also includes Einstein Bros. bagels and Panera Bread. Panera has been championing vegan and vegetarian accessibility for years with its wide array of meatless and dairy-free offerings — so much so that PETA even outlines a comprehensive list of Panera's vegan-friendly menu items.
"To finally have a vegan option on our menu showcases our commitment to providing quality products that are not only better for your health, but for the planet," says Matt Reiter, Caribou's vice president of merchandising and product. "This sandwich is a delicious option for all guests, whether they follow a plant-based diet or not."