Why is Israel leading the list of developed countries in the world, where the largest number of vegans live? And among the representatives of which nation as a whole, vegetarianism was best established? We suggest you familiarize yourself with the list of countries whose residents do not see any problem in switching to a vegetable diet.
10. Israel
For a long time, Judaism forbade the mixing of meat and dairy products, so many observant Jews came to the conclusion that it would be easiest to stick to a vegetarian diet. But in a country that was founded as a refuge for the Jewish people, some people decided to go further, although many of them can not call themselves religious.
The population of Israel is eight million people, and hundreds of thousands of inhabitants call themselves vegan. This makes Israel the most vegan of the developed world.
9. Jamaica
Rastafari is a small but highly visible subculture in Jamaica, whose adherents oppose the consumption of meat. Their diet consists of organic food, often cooked without salt. Although some Rastafarian (they are rastamans) eat fish, many refuse and from this, replenishing glad vegetarians. There is a huge number of vegetarian cafes and restaurants in the country. They cook here mainly from coconuts, bananas, cassava, pepper, rice, beans and greens.
8. Singapore
This city-state in South-East Asia with a population of less than six million people was created mainly by immigrants. As a result, an ethnically and culturally diverse place emerged, where the standard of living is one of the highest in the world. In Singapore, there are many terrific vegetarian restaurants, cafes and food shops of Indian, Chinese, Korean and Japanese cuisine.
7. United States of America
The United States is the world's largest consumer of red meat. There are many places in the country where you simply will not be understood if you ask for a vegetarian dish. However, California is not in vain called "the land of fruits and nuts." Here you can find many establishments of Mexican, Korean and Chinese vegetarian cuisine. Portland, for example, is known in the country for its dairy-free latte and ice cream. Manhattan is also a great place for vegetarians, as its residents approve of a vegetable diet. Other cities that will become a paradise for vegetarians are Austin in Texas, Los Angeles, Seattle, Boulder in Colorado and Chicago.
6. United Kingdom
In the UK there is no strong tradition of vegetarianism, there are more and more people refusing meat from meat. George Bernard Shaw began to popularize this trend back in the early twentieth century. Currently, about 12 percent of the English population has abandoned meat, although "true" vegetarians say that a significant number of these people from time to time allow themselves to deviate from the vegetable ration. British vegetarians tend to seek inspiration in the kitchens of Italy, India and the Middle East.
5. Turkey
This country has for millennia developed a sophisticated and sophisticated cuisine. Given the biodiversity of Turkey, is it any wonder that local cooks have learned to cook a huge amount of vegetarian dishes flavored with peanuts, a stew with the addition of various spices, bread baked on wood, and grilled vegetables on charcoal?
Turkish chefs can cook aubergines in a hundred different ways, so you are not likely to get bored even if you eat only this vegetable for a month. They are often stuffed, smoked, baked or cooked on the grill. Keep in mind, however, that restaurants in Turkey tend to specialize in cooking meat or fish, so do not look for good vegetarian food in them. Instead, look for institutions with a sign of Lokanta, which offer a variety of dishes, including for vegetarians.
4. Lebanon
The tradition of vegetarianism originated in Lebanon, probably, together with the appearance of agriculture. Then the Phoenicians came to this land, who were good traders, and after that the Ottomans, known for their culinary arts, appeared. After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, Orthodox Christian communities began to flourish, and they refused meat for the period of fasting. For many Christians in the Middle East, this means that they can not eat meat on Wednesdays and Fridays, and also for six weeks before Easter. That's why Lebanese food is rich in bright vegetarian dishes.
3. Ethiopia
Almost half the population of Ethiopia is Orthodox, which means that people have to live without meat on Wednesdays, Fridays, and throughout Lent (six weeks before Easter). As a result, vegetarian cuisine developed throughout the country for many centuries. Most of the dishes are complemented with an injera - a flat cake that replaces bread. The northern neighbor of Ethiopia, Eritrea, has a similar kitchen, as well as many tempting vegetarian dishes.
2. Italy
In Italy, there is no ban on meat-eating, but local chefs have learned to cook really delicious vegetarian dishes. It is unlikely that in any cafe or restaurant you can find a menu where there would not be a good choice of vegetarian dishes. In addition, it is not only all known pizza and pasta, but also risotto, fried or stewed vegetable dishes and a lot of desserts.
1. India
This country is characterized by the lowest meat consumption per capita - about 32 kilograms, accounting for one fifth of US consumption. This makes sense, if we recall that meat-eating is forbidden by some religions. The exact number of vegetarians in the country can not be counted, but, presumably, they make up 20 to 40% of India's population. Hindus, Jainists and Buddhists refuse most of the meat. In addition, a significant proportion of them prefer veganism.