Global firms are crafting a plant-based alternative to our medium rare craving
Going vegan is on the rise. We didn't just see the dining movement on celebrities, athletes, and fitness personalities, but also on the dining table of many Filipinos. The pandemic has pushed many to take a closer look at what they put on their plate. With good health and immunity essential during pandemic times, people are opting for plant-based dishes to strengthen their body with proper nutrients. And apart from their health benefits, vegan meals are also paving the way to making food consumption more sustainable and eco-friendly.
After a series of vegan meal releases on various fast food chains, it looks like the plant-based movement's next move is to target the fine dining scene with international food brand's latest innovation—the 3D printed steak.
Since 2018, Spanish startup Novameat has been working on the 3D printing technology that will produce vegetarian "steaks." Pea and rice proteins are fed in the printers, which are then tinted red to make them look like meat, and mimics its taste and fibers, according to the Guardian.
Its latest output was showcased at Barcelona's Mobile World Congress, which surprised people with its well-achieved texture. Novameat's products are expected to hit mass market next year, the brand's business development manager Alexandre Campos tells Reuters.
"(We seek to) replace animal meat for something that is better for the planet, ourselves, and animals," Campos said.
Faux meat printing production is also at the center of two Israeli startups. Redefine Meat, just like Novameat, explores vegan steak with a recipe that includes soy and pea proteins, coconut fat, and sunflower oil. On the other hand, Aleph Farms uses animal cells in its 3D printing technology. Its process eliminates the need for cattle farming, which is proven to be perilous to the environment.
Finding an alternative to meat is seen as an essential step among environmentalists, especially with the current state of the planet. Industrial livestock agriculture, according to Greenpeace, generates as much greenhouse gas emissions as all cars, trucks, and automobiles combined.