Not a fan of meat? No problem. Want to keep your meat but hold it to a higher standard? You’re covered, too.
The rise of a diversified specialty food market has led to an explosion in options. Advances in food science have led to vegan burgers that “bleed” or tuna sushi rolls that have no actual fish. It’s great news for your more selective consumer, but it can also be a bit confusing sorting out what’s what.
Here’s a quick guide to understanding the nuances of “clean” and “plant-based” diets.
Breaking Down Plant-Based vs. Clean
Both plant-based and clean meats fall into a category that some consumers affectionately call “fake” meats, but they aren’t the same thing. Here’s what you need to know.
- Plant-based refers to artificial meat comprised of plant materials. In other words, you take the characteristics of specific foods to create the taste and texture of meat. This is the more commonly known type of “fake” meat, as it’s been around for some time. However, technology and ingredients are rapidly changing.
- Clean is where it gets a bit interesting. This category refers to a special kind of fake meat that is created in the lab via an actual meat sample. It doesn’t use veggies. Rather, it’s actual lab-grown meat. There are still kinks to work out before clean meat becomes as mainstream as plant-based, but the technology is getting less expensive and more practical by the day.
What Does ‘Heme’ Mean?
If you’ve poked around in the field of “fake” meat, you’ve probably come across this term before. In short, heme is a naturally occurring substance found in almost all living things. It carries oxygen and gives blood its red appearance. Heme from legumes can be used to give veggie burgers a distinctly “meaty” flavor.
Some Mainstream Examples
Food manufacturers are catching on to the benefits of plant-based proteins. They’re becoming more innovative, and, as such, are giving consumers more options. Here are a few leaders in this field:
- Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat are sort of the pioneers in the “bleeding” veggie burger world. Their products are becoming so popular that they’re showing up in such places as TGI Fridays and White Castle.
- Sophie’s Kitchen is gaining a reputation for creating high-quality plant-based seafood — think tomato-based “tuna” alternatives.
- Ripple Foods specializes in plant-based dairy Lactose-intolerant consumers probably know this brand already, and now it’s taking off in new veggie-minded circles.
What Options Do PacMoore Offer?
We’ve carved out a decent niche in the specialty foods sector, and that goes for plant-based and clean meats, as well. We not only watch these types of culinary trends, but we are actively engaged in them. Click here to learn about alternative proteins.
The PacMoore team works hard to ensure that you have the products you need to satisfy virtually any consumer segment. To learn more about plant-based and clean meats, and to find out what we can do for your company, contact us today.
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