An Israeli startup unveiled last week what it said was the world’s first plant-based steak created using industrial 3D-printing. Redefine Meat said it will start testing the vegan cuts at high-end restaurants in Israel as soon as next month, followed by marketing in Israel and elsewhere.
“We are actually printing steaks,” said Eshchar Ben-Shitrit, who set up the company, formerly known as Jet Eat, in 2018.
The “ink” is made out of plant-based ingredients: proteins from legumes and grains to create the muscle texture, fats to mimic beef fat and natural flavors and colors to mimic blood and juice.
The “alt-steak,” said Ben-Shitrit, “is both kosher and pareve.”
Israeli chef Assaf Granit, in a video for The Great Big Jewish Food Festival, said he tasted the printed “beef” and that eight out of 10 people wouldn’t know the difference between it and real meat.
The global meat substitute market is expected to reach $8.1 billion by 2026, according to data firm Allied Market Research.
The Los Angeles-based Beyond Meat Inc produces plant-based meat substitutes whose products simulate chicken, beef and pork sausage, and are available at most grocery stores in the U.S. and at restaurant chains.
Impossible Foods Inc., a California firm, uses proteins and nutrients from plants to simulate the experience and nutrition of meat products. The firm launched the Impossible Burger in 2016.
Redefine Meat aims to sell the printers and the cartridges to meat distributors worldwide, who will both print and sell the meat once produced.
The Times of Israel
