How is vegetarian meat made?

How is vegetarian meat made?

In recent years, with the increasing awareness of healthy eating and environmental protection, vegetarian meat (plant-based meat) has become a hot topic around the world. Whether for health reasons or concern for animal welfare, more and more people are choosing vegetarian meat as an alternative to traditional meat. So, how is vegetarian meat made? This article will give you a detailed introduction to the production principles, raw materials and technological processes of vegetarian meat, and attach relevant data for reference.

1. Definition and market background of vegetarian meat

Vegetarian meat, also known as plant meat or artificial meat, is a food that uses plant protein as the main raw material and simulates the taste, flavor and appearance of meat through processing technology. With the increase in vegetarians and flexitarians around the world, the vegetarian meat market is expanding rapidly. The following is the popular search data about vegetarian meat in the past 10 days:

2. Main raw materials of vegetarian meat

The core raw material of vegetarian meat is plant protein, and common ones include soy protein, pea protein, wheat protein, etc. The following is a comparison of the properties of several common raw materials:

In addition, fats (such as coconut oil), seasonings (such as soy sauce, yeast extract) and pigments (such as beet red) are added to vegetarian meat to simulate the taste and appearance of meat.

3. The production process of vegetarian meat

The production process of vegetarian meat mainly includes the following steps:

1.Raw material pretreatment: Crush and screen plant protein raw materials to remove impurities.

2.Mixing and blending: Mix protein, oil, seasonings, etc. in proportion to form a uniform slurry.

3.extrusion: Through high temperature and high pressure extrusion technology, the protein is fibrillated to simulate the fiber structure of meat.

4.Seasoning and coloring: Added natural seasonings and colors to enhance flavor and visual effects.

5.Packaging and sterilization: Finally, vacuum packaging or sterilization is performed to extend the shelf life.

The following is a comparison of the nutritional content of a certain brand of vegetarian burgers and traditional beef burgers:

4. Advantages and Controversies of Vegetarian Meat

The advantage of vegetarian meat is its environmental protection and health. Research shows that the carbon emissions of producing vegetarian meat are only 10%-20% of traditional meat, and it does not contain cholesterol. However, some consumers are concerned about additives (such as flavorings and preservatives) in vegetarian meat.

The following are the hot topics of discussion about vegetarian meat on social media in the past 10 days:

5. Summary

The production of vegetarian meat is an art that combines food science and craft technology. From plant protein to realistic "meat" taste, years of R&D and innovation are behind it. With the advancement of technology, the taste and nutritional value of vegetarian meat are expected to be further improved, making it an important choice on the dining table in the future. If you are interested in vegetarian meat, you may wish to try the mainstream brands on the market and experience the charm of this food technology for yourself.