Veggie Alternatives to Foie Gras Becoming More Popular in France

Foie gras is a popular Christmas dish in France. Its name means "fat liver" in the French language. It is traditionally made from fattened¹ duck and goose livers.

But vegan and other plant-based alternatives to foie gras are becoming more popular. A severe bird flu this year has decreased the number of ducks as well as the supply of foie gras. Production is expected to fall 30 to 35 percent from last year, while prices will likely rise about 20 percent.

French chef Fabien Borgel runs the "42 Degres" vegan restaurant in Paris. He created what he calls a "faux gras" two years ago. "Faux" means fake or false in French. Borgel's vegan foie gras contains cashew nuts along with sunflower and coconut² oil. It looks like traditional foie gras but is a little softer.

Borgel says the decrease in supply of traditional foie gras could make more people want to try such alternatives. 42 Degres is putting its "faux gras" on its menu from December through February.

Foie gras was officially classified as part of the "cultural and gastronomic³ heritage" of France. However, some countries and places have considered banning it because of worries about the treatment of ducks and geese. Animal rights activists⁴ are against foie gras because the ducks and geese must be force-fed in order to enlarge their livers.

"You have people that have never tasted foie gras and will never taste it and they want something festive⁵ for the year-end parties. Others want to change the way they eat and are heading towards alternatives," Borgel said.

However, not everyone in France is ready for those alternatives. A recent public opinion study released by French foie gras producers found that 77 percent of French people were not ready to change from traditional foie gras to plant-based versions.

Words in This Story

dish -n. food that has been prepared in a particular style, often from a combination of ingredients.

vegan -adj. describing food that contains no animal products or a person who never eats food containing animal products.

alternative -n. another choice or possibility

gastronomic -adj. relating to food and diet

heritage -n. the cultural history and traditions of a group or society

festive -adj. relating to parties and celebrations

1 fattened   

v.喂肥( fatten的过去式和过去分词 )；养肥（牲畜）；使（钱）增多；使（公司）升值

参考例句：

• The piglets are taken from the sow to be fattened for market. 这些小猪被从母猪身边带走，好育肥上市。
• Those corrupt officials fattened themselves by drinking the people's life-blood. 那些贪官污吏用民脂民膏养肥了自己。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

2 coconut   

n.椰子

参考例句：

• The husk of this coconut is particularly strong.椰子的外壳很明显非常坚固。
• The falling coconut gave him a terrific bang on the head.那只掉下的椰子砰地击中他的脑袋。

3 gastronomic   

adj.美食（烹饪）法的，烹任学的

参考例句：

• The gastronomic restaurant is a feature of the hotel. 美食餐厅是这家饭店的一个特色。 来自互联网
• The restaurant offers a special gastronomic menu. 这家餐馆备有一份特别的美食菜单。 来自互联网

4 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 festive   

adj.欢宴的，节日的

参考例句：

• It was Christmas and everyone was in festive mood.当时是圣诞节，每个人都沉浸在节日的欢乐中。
• We all wore festive costumes to the ball.我们都穿着节日的盛装前去参加舞会。