Smoked pea sausages

Meat substitutes have come a long way, from bland veggie burgers and tasteless tofu cubes to foods that even a chef can’t tell from real meat. The herbal market has been booming over the past few years, with supply and demand skyrocketing and celebrities (like Serena Williams, Natalie Portman, and Jeff Bezos) investing millions in plant-based startups. Spletnik beauty editor Elizaveta Konstantinova I learned what artificial meat is made of and whether it is as useful as they say.

According to analysts at Grand View Research, the global plant-based meat market was worth $5.06 billion in 2021. The annual CAGR is expected to be 19.3% from 2022 to 2030. It is estimated to reach approximately $15 billion by 2025. Experts attribute the growing consumer interest in plant-based foods to the green trend, increased awareness of animal rights through various charities, and a growing number of vegetarians.

Plant-based meat is incredibly popular with Gen Z. According to The Motley Fool, 49% of American teens polled said they ate plant-based meat, while another 40% said they hadn’t tried it but were interested.

Beneo Senior Product Manager Olivier Chevalier explains:

veggie patty burger

says Fiona Sweeney, director of strategic marketing for food company Kerry.

According to the latest Nielsen data, 62% of consumers are willing to cut back on meat consumption for environmental reasons, and 43% said they want to replace meat protein with vegetable protein.

The soy-based meat segment led the market, accounting for more than 48.3% of global revenue in 2021. Plant-based meat is not only cheaper to produce, but also has a smaller carbon footprint compared to conventional animal and dairy products. According to Unilever Food Solutions, plant-based meat production requires less water and land than livestock production.

Surveys show that globally, around 42% of consumers worldwide now describe themselves as resilient – ​​people who actively minimize their meat and dairy consumption for a variety of reasons.

According to Deloitte Consulting, 47% of Russians aged 16 to 40 expressed a desire to try vegetable meat. Now the size of the Russian market for this product is only 0.7-0.8% of the European market, but it has great potential and will grow at least 10% per year.

benefit for health

Plant-based meats are lower in saturated fat and higher in fiber and vitamins. Not without reason, research shows that vegetarians have a lower risk of developing diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.

While there are many plant-based meat options available, not all are healthy. Meat substitutes often use dyes, large amounts of sodium, and artificial binders (for proper consistency) in the manufacturing process. Nutritionists recommend choosing a choice of lentils, tofu, or tempeh (a fermented protein food made from soybeans that resembles boiled meat). Some types of plant-based meat are made from a mix of ingredients: soy, potato protein, peas, mung beans (considered the oldest legume). For example, the texture of soy is very similar to chicken. But how do manufacturers mimic the taste of real meat?

Chicken is usually flavored with yeast extract, onions, garlic, salt and pepper are used to enhance flavor, and sugar helps thicken the meat. Oil is replaced by vegetable oils: coconut, sunflower or rapeseed.

What is plant-based meat made from?

– chickpeas

how good is he: One cup of chickpeas contains about 35 grams of fiber and 39 grams of protein, making it a satisfying option for any meal.

keep in mind: High carbohydrate and fiber content can cause gas in people with sensitive intestines.

– pea protein

how good is he: The texture and taste of ground beef is difficult to mimic, but pea protein isolate (yellow pea protein is removed and stripped of fat, carbs, and fiber) does a great job. Some brands use beets as a food coloring to give the material the color of medium rare ground beef. It is also gluten, soy and GMO free.

– heat

how good is he: 100 grams of tempeh contains 18 grams of protein, the product is one of the top ten protein sources. Not to be confused with tofu, tempeh is made from fermented soybeans. The result is a thick, nut-like substance that can be sliced ​​and added to a salad, sandwiched, or fried in a pan instead of bacon strips.

Tempeh is rich in protein (containing all nine amino acids), bone-strengthening calcium, antioxidants, and manganese, which can help regulate blood sugar levels and promote bone health.

keep in mind: Tempeh is extremely high in fiber, so add it to your diet gradually to prevent bloating.

– seitan

how good is he: This meat alternative is made from wheat protein (gluten). Due to its dense texture, the product is very similar to a duck. It is often used as a topping for sandwiches or pizzas. Seitan is a win-win option for those with soy allergies. It is high in protein, which helps with weight loss and maintaining muscle mass.

keep in mind: As seitan is made from wheat proteins, it is not suitable for people with gluten sensitivity, intolerance or allergies.

– dried jackfruit

how good is he: Its breath mimics the texture of pork. This fruit is originally from India, has a slightly sweet taste, but if you stew it in savory sauces, you can hardly distinguish it from meat. The product is rich in magnesium, fiber, B6 and antioxidants. Its breath normalizes intestinal function, supports weight loss and cholesterol levels.

– bean curd

how good is he: Tofu is made from frozen soy milk. It’s been nicknamed the vegan meat substitute chameleon because of its super ability to capture just about any flavor. Tofu is rich in protein, minerals such as iron and calcium (these are especially important for vegans). It is fortified with vitamin B12, which is not usually found in plant foods.

keep in mindSome studies have linked soy consumption to breast cancer because soy contains isoflavones, which are plant estrogens, and high estrogen levels increase the risk of developing cancer. Data are contradictory. According to the Mayo Clinic, foods do not contain enough isoflavones to increase this risk. And other research has shown that eating soy-rich foods can, conversely, prevent breast cancer in women.

– lentil

how good is he: Lentils are rich in fiber, protein and potassium.

keep in mind: May not be suitable for low-carb dieters: Half a cup of lentils can contain up to 20 grams of carbohydrates.

Stars investing in plant-based startups

Natalie Portman

The actress became vegan in 2011. She has invested heavily in Boston-based Tender Food and French startup La Vie. The first specializes in soy meat and the second specializes in plant-based bacon she.

Robert Downey jr.

The actor has invested in New York-based My Forest Foods and Nobell Foods. MyForest has recently changed its name to Atlast Foods and plans to make bacon from mycelium, the fibrous root structure of mushrooms. Nobell specializes in soy-based vegan cheeses. Iron Man went completely plant-based in 2020. He is also co-author of a book on reducing carbon emissions associated with dietary changes.

Lewis Hamilton

The Formula 1 champion opened his own $70 million vegan burger chain, Neat Burger. The racer himself is a vegetarian and has also transferred his beloved bulldog named Roscoe to plant foods.

Serena Williams

The tennis star has invested in California-based Impossible Foods and American vegan delivery service Daily Harvest. Williams only eats plant foods in preparation for the championships. She says it helps her heal faster and prevents injury. Like Katy Perry, Williams discovered that she developed a red meat intolerance during her pregnancy, so she replaced beef with plant-based Impossible burgers.

businessmen

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Microsoft CEO Bill Gates, former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian are just a few of the businessmen who have invested heavily in the development and production of plant-based meat.