First, let’s get the name question out of the way. BaBz is an acronym for the original monicker of the company: Burgerz and Breadz. It’s the concept that we should be focusing on: An all-Canadian approach to veggie-vegan meat substitutes – and more!
BaBz Tacos: Serving suggestion.
As you might have surmised, the BaBz concept is a West Coast phenomenon, out of Vancouver where so many latter day food concepts have sprung up. Where bigger, more technologically-rooted meat substitute companies have been slaving to perfect exact, look-alike, taste-alike stand-ins for beef, chicken and sausage, BaBz is taking a simpler, more transparent path to the goal. And the product line even offers a flatbred mix to make your burger buns!
Sparked by a life crisis
Former real estate broker Myrna Selzler suffered a personal health crisis which got her thinking about transitioning to a veggie/vegan diet.
“After a double mastectomy, I thought I could take better care of my health by transitioning to a plant-based diet. I hated the way that plant-based meat products looked (like badly fried brains) and tasted (like a carrot or a bean) and that they always fell apart. And there are all kinds of additives in other products. Our products are designed to address all those issues. We source our products across Canada and the globe, seeking ethical, sustainable and natural ingredients that meet BaBz high standards.”
Selzler (above right) has teamed up with chef Martin McDermott (above left), who has 15 years of experience in the health/energy bar and protein powder industry. Can you see where this is going?
Selzler’s brother, Wayne, a kidney transplant recipient, is also in on the game. After his own medical emergency, he started tinkering with herbs and spices, in an effort to create mouthwatering blends with low, or no sugar or salt. He’s the genius behind the BaBz flavours.
What have they got?
The initial offering from BaBz is relatively extensive: 5 meat substitute ‘flavours’: Taco, Italian (Meatball), Breakfast Sausage, Classic Burger and Smokey BBQ Burger. In addition, they offer both classic and Keto-friendly flatbread mixes, and a trio of spice blends: Smokey BBQ, Taco, and All-Purpose Southwestern.
All are based on BaBz secret blend of veggie protein powders and seeds. You could shape them into energy-bars if you wanted to. But they’re not sweet or sticky. They’re intended to be used as Burgers and Meatballs, and semi-loose presentations (such as the Taco version).
The products you’ll find on the shelf are bagged dry mixes: “Just add water (or beer or wine) […] and within 30 minutes you are eating high-protein, high-fibre food.”
Nutrition facts…
BaBz products are advertised as Keto-friendly, Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Nut-free, high-protein and Vegan. That’s a mouthful. But they also resist shrinkage when cooking, so, “a 4 oz. patty is quite filling.”
BaBz is proud to feature ‘labels you can read’, and ‘ingredients you can trust’.
But there’s more – if you want
The BaBz website spotlights user-submitted recipes that will tantalize your taste buds. A couple to tease you: Chocolate-Zucchini Muffins, and Banana Flatbread. Just set the savoury seasonings aside and go sweet, to your taste!
Now available online
BaBz products are available at a few Vancouver area retail outlets, but you can order them online for delivery anywhere in Canada.
Sound interesting?
~ Maggie J.