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February 16, 2016
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No, this is not about the catchphrase from Wendy's 1984 commercials.
Recently I've seen a commercial from Morningstar Farms advertising a hamburger "made from plants" and another from Burger King announcing their new Impossible Whopper, that is also "made from plants". Not understanding how a plant could grow "meat", I decided to investigate further.
Impossible Foods was started by Patrick Brown, a former Stanford biochemistry professor who, in 2009, took an 18-month sabbatical, which he devoted to carrying out research on eliminating industrial animal agriculture. His goal was to produce a burger that would appeal to vegetarians who had given up meat on moral grounds, but still yearned for the real thing. The secret, he discovered, was creating “plant blood” from a molecule known as heme, which is found in animals and plants. The meat is derived from a small number of stem cells and produced in a laboratory.
When the plant burger made with heme is slapped on to a grill, it turns from red to brown, like one made from beef. It also tastes identical, according to Brown and his 50-strong team of chefs, farmers and scientists. The rest of the ingredients include wheat, coconut oil and potatoes.
Beyond Meat was founded in 2009 by Ethan Brown. Endorsed by the Humane Society, its backers include Bill Gates. Its meatless burgers are not only sold in stores, but served up by restaurant chains like TGI Fridays, which is offering them at its 469 US locations. They are served in much the same way as a traditional burger, topped with cheddar, lettuce and tomato. Beyond Meat, whose website is packed with endorsements from assorted athletes, also produces ersatz chicken strips and Beyond Sausage — the world’s first plant-based sausage, which, it says, “looks, sizzles and satisfies like meat”.
The United States Cattlemen’s Association is not happy and filed a 15-page petition with the US Department of Agriculture, demanding an official definition of both “beef” and “meat”.
What do you all think about meatless meat ?
https://gulfnews.com/opinion/op-eds/meet-the-plants-that-taste-like-beef-1.2199880
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February 22, 2009
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I have incisors for a reason.....
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November 17, 2008
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Vegetables are what food eats. LB
Wisdom is merely the realization of how little one knows, therefore I am wise.
February 16, 2016
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I'm sitting on the fence, somewhere between 'unappealing' and 'revolting'.
August 20, 2019
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I'm happy the rib eyes I'm grilling tonight are made out of meat and not stem cells.
December 3, 2015
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OK, I'll stick my neck out here.
I have been eating what is commonly referred to a a "veggie burger" for years. I have probably been a vegetarian for longer than many forum members have been alive. Ret assured that I don't live on "Fake meat". In fact it is a very small part of my extremely diversified diet.
I tried the "Beyond Meat" product several times this summer while in Canada. It is served in A&W as well as Tim Horton's in Canada. It was recommended by many of my meat eating friends who have a steady diet of Moose and other animal products. Frankly they all loved the "Beyond Burger". Thus, their recommendation to me in its regards.
A&W does it best. IMO The one thing that didn't excite me so much was the fact that this product emulates real meat. And it does it quite well!
No veggie burgers in the past did this, which I think is fine with most vegetarians. I say, to each his own. If the market demand for the product is sufficient to support the product, why not? Those who don't care for it can eat meat as they desire. Why should there be a fuss over a successful product.
What I don't get is the protest that arises from the beef industry because of a legitimate product that some might prefer! Last I heard, in the beef provinces of Canada there was such a fuss being made that Tim Horton's is discontinuing the product.
Perhaps those who prefer a Walther pistol should protest to get H&K removed from the market. Or if someone likes bolt rifles then semi autos should be taken off the market. Watch out AR fanciers! Absurd? Yes, of course. Just as it is with animal vs plant based products.
October 19, 2019
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Different Drummer said
OK, I'll stick my neck out here.What I don't get is the protest that arises from the beef industry because of a legitimate product that some might prefer! Last I heard, in the beef provinces of Canada there was such a fuss being made that Tim Horton's is discontinuing the product.
Perhaps those who prefer a Walther pistol should protest to get H&K removed from the market. Or if someone likes bolt rifles then semi autos should be taken off the market. Watch out AR fanciers! Absurd? Yes, of course. Just as it is with animal vs plant based products.
Agreed. I haven't liked any of the ones I've tried - not objectionable, just not to my liking.
The "beef industry" is protesting simply because the lobbyists are paid and want to appear to be doing something of value for their employers.
I'm with you - why should anyone care if people want veggie burgers? Just as long as the respect goes both ways - I was actually at a restaurant where some of these "meat is murder" morons came in to protest. Not appreciated at all.
February 16, 2016
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Come on guy's ... I'm not gonna try stem-cell, lab grown anything, but even I can figure it out. It's about labeling. The beef industry does not want the terms "beef" or "meat" used for these plant-based products, which contain neither. The U.S. Cattleman's Association is only asking the FDA to define these terms, so consumers can make an informed purchase decision.
Most any industry has imitation products, which are often cheaper or more readily available, but regulation ensures clear product identification.
December 3, 2015
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Brojon said
I'm with you - why should anyone care if people want veggie burgers? Just as long as the respect goes both ways
I agree totally. Forty eight years a vegetarian and I have never preached for the practice or carried a flag on the behalf of the practice.
I ate dinner in the hospital cafeteria with three co-workers for years and they never even realized I did not eat meat.
It just happens to be one of the many personal choices anyone may take in life.
December 3, 2015
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Stinger said
Come on guy's ... I'm not gonna try stem-cell, lab grown anything, but even I can figure it out. It's about labeling. The beef industry does not want the terms "beef" or "meat" used for these plant-based products, which contain neither. The U.S. Cattleman's Association is only asking the FDA to define these terms, so consumers can make an informed purchase decision.Most any industry has imitation products, which are often cheaper or more readily available, but regulation ensures clear product identification.
The words "Beyond Beef" tells me that the product is not the same as beef. I think the beef industry is just trying to eliminate some honest competition.
I think they would most likely complain as well if the product was called " Not beef" burger.
I can't imagine a beef burger lover being mis led and erroneously eating a Vegetable based burger on a regular basis unaware that the product they are eating is not an animal product. We all know that the AR-15 is not an "assault weapon" even though it is so often referred to as one.
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March 25, 2013
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Drummer, I suspect long time vegetarians like you are not the market. It is sceptics like me that will be needed to make it a success. I am so glad that it was recently announced that red meat is good and necessary for humans. I always knew that the USDA Prime New York Strips I adore were good for me.
On another note, I recently learned that because of DNA testing of calves, 30 % of beef is grading out to prime instead of the 1% formerly produced. Now that is real news. My local Sam's Club has started selling Prime at great prices.
December 3, 2015
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Ole Dog said
Drummer, I suspect long time vegetarians like you are not the market. It is sceptics like me that will be needed to make it a success. I am so glad that it was recently announced that red meat is good and necessary for humans. I always knew that the USDA Prime New York Strips I adore were good for me.On another note, I recently learned that because of DNA testing of calves, 30 % of beef is grading out to prime instead of the 1% formerly produced. Now that is real news. My local Sam's Club has started selling Prime at great prices.
I suspect that long time meat lovers like yourself are as firmly entrenched in their beliefs and likes as I am in regards to going meatless.
I suppose that there might be a camp of in between's or fence riders on the subject. People who just don't care either way.
I will say that my friends in Canada who are very strong on the meat eating side of the fence had a positive response to the "Beyond Meat" products.
I suspect that what they liked about the product is what made me rather "so, so" about it. I will eat it because I know it is not animal based. However, the animal taste that they have managed to get into it is a negative for me.
I do like your chickens eggs by the way.
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March 25, 2013
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DD, the last chicken has passed on. Wife says no more. It is too stressful to deal with the varmints predations and she cannot bear to not incarcerate them all the time. Or even any of the time except when it is dark.
December 3, 2015
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Ole Dog said
DD, the last chicken has passed on. Wife says no more. It is too stressful to deal with the varmints predations and she cannot bear to not incarcerate them all the time. Or even any of the time except when it is dark.
Sorry to hear that.
Jan really like you chickens. Thought it was cool the way they just roamed around.
February 16, 2016
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For anyone wishing to know what the USCA petition to the USDA actually says;
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March 25, 2013
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On another beef note, Sam's Club carries USDA Prime beef now. Very reasonably priced until lately. I read that due to DNA testing of calves and cloning that the percent of beef graded prime has risen from 1% to 30%. And Prime plus Choice is now 60% of production. What I read may have been "Fake News". Does anyone have any verification?
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