Vegan Meats Among 'Best Inventions of 2022' In TIME Magazine!
Time Magazine has recently launched their issue on the "Best Inventions of 2022," and we were pleasantly surprised to find three vegan meat products on the list!
Plant-Based Foods Come Out On Top!
Not only were these vegan meats on their list, but they were some of the top picks among the nine products selected. In fact, Beyond Meat's new Beyond Steak was their very first choice!
“Until recently, alternative meat companies have shied away from developing a meatless steak because it is the holy grail of meat: a meal centerpiece with big expectations,”
However, this year companies have gone all out in the plant-based meats category with unbelievable steak, chicken, and bacon alternatives that all palates can enjoy and appreciate.
In First Place, Beyond Meat's New Vegan Steak
Beyond Meat's new steak has received tons of praise from critics, and now from this major publication! "After years of R&D by its food scientists, Beyond Meat has developed a product with lower stakes—steak tips, rather than a filet. Beyond Steak is easy to imagine in burritos and stir fries, or as a salad topping," they shared.
So far, Beyond Steak is available at 5,000 Kroger and Walmart stores across the country. This juicy steak swap is made of wheat gluten, faba bean protein, and canola oil, making it high in protein and lower in saturated fat. Of course, it's also free from cholesterol.
Meanwhile, Beyond is enjoying the success of their Beyond Popcorn Chicken and Chicken Nuggets, which are also set to launch at 5,000 retailers! And of course, they're still making major moves in the fast food industry through their deals with chains like Taco Bell and KFC. We can't wait to see what else they have in store to further expand the plant-based meat sector!
Shop Beyond Meat’s Steak
Mushroom Meats For The Win!
The other two plant-based meats that made the list were actually mushroom-based! The first was Meati Foods, based in Denver. They received praise for their vegan chicken cutlets, which are made of fibrous fungi roots. They're then texturized lightly, breaded, and the result is incredibly similar to real chicken meat!
“We want to maintain the nutritional integrity of the mushroom root in the final product,” he says. This would explain why they use whole cuts of mushroom roots, and how they achieved such a flaky texture!”
Their fungi-based chicken cutlets are currently available for purchase on their site, and each variety boasts an impressive amount of protein at 17g per serving! They even sell vegan steaks of their own, which they call 'Classic Steak' and 'Carne Asada.' Each offers 15g of protein per serving, and less than 2g of fat.
After a $150 million funding round, they're now getting ready to launch their vegan meat range at Sprouts Farmers Markets nationwide! However, in the meantime you can also try their products by ordering them from their website, or at Sweetgreens' Culver City Food Lab.
Shop Meati Steaks
The Perfect Crispy Vegan Bacon
TIME also mentioned MyForest Foods' flagship product, MyBacon! Other brands have tried replicating bacon using dozens of ingredients and complicated additives, and still haven't gotten it quite right. However, this revolutionary company is actually making remarkably realistic bacon out of mushroom root, coconut oil, beet juice, and spices!
Interestingly, the brand's CEO, Eben Bayer, grew up on a pig farm in Vermont. So, it's safe to say he knows his bacon! However, he was fascinated to learn how quickly and efficiently plant-based bacon could be produced in their vertical mycelium farm. In fact, it takes just 12 days to grow 100-ft-long chunks of mycelium for their products!
MyForest Foods' product provides the gristle, grease, and meaty texture bacon lovers seek without any of the cruelty, and for less of a toll on our environment. What about its nutritional profile? MyBacon is just 50 calories for two slices, and provides 3g of protein, 3g of fat, and 0g of cholesterol, making it a healthier swap.
Shop My Bacon
Are you anxious to try any of these plant-based meats? Share your most anticipated product below!
