How Can a Meatless Burger Taste and Feel Like Real Meat?

The age-old question has been buzzing in the minds of food enthusiasts and philosophers alike: Is it possible to create a meatless burger that tastes and feels exactly like a real one?

Feeding Ingredients to Animals

You might wonder, 'Why not just feed its ingredients to an animal and then have real meat?' In theory, it sounds revolutionary, but it has been happening since the beginning of life on Earth. Nature itself is a remarkable example of how plants and animals interrelate, but this doesn’t necessarily equate to replicating the taste and texture of meat.

The Taste of Meat

Animal flesh, in its natural form, is rather bland to human frugivores. The majority of the flavor comes from the fat content, often enhanced with salt. Imagine a plant-based burger: it can be made using plant-based fats, mainly oils, but you can also use whole fats from avocados or nuts, combined with a sprinkle of salt.

The Quest for Taste and Texture

But can a meatless burger truly taste and feel like a real one? This depends on how you define 'close enough.'

Popular Meatless Burgers

Let’s take two popular examples: Beyond Burgers and Impossible Burgers. Many people find it hard to differentiate between these and real meat. Nine out of ten people might not even notice a difference. However, they would likely not consider it a great hamburger, merely a mediocre one. While I have not tried feeding these to meat-eaters, I wouldn’t serve it out of habit. Disguising a surprise can be annoying.

Personal Experience

I have a vegan friend and a vegetarian boyfriend. When dining with them, I adapt by choosing vegan or vegetarian options. There are excellent vegan Mexican restaurants in California that serve outstanding vegan chorizo and pastor. The more processed the meat substitute, the closer it can get to real meat. However, it’s important to note that vegan burgers contain entirely different compounds, such as protein from peas, soy, mung beans, or black beans, which react very differently when cooked. They also have different fatty acids, which create a unique taste and smell experience.

Science and Replication

Science plays a significant role in this debate. Vegan burgers are made with entirely different compounds from actual meat. People often wonder if it’s possible to create a highly processed food product that tastes as close to real meat as possible. While industrial chemistry can certainly help, complete success is elusive. The human senses of taste and smell perceive these compounds very differently. If you truly want something that tastes like 'real meat,' you’ll need to experience the real thing.

Final Thoughts

While coming close to replicating the taste and texture of meat is a remarkable accomplishment, it’s crucial to recognize that meatless burgers are still just that: meatless. They offer an enjoyable, healthy, and sustainable alternative for those seeking to reduce their meat consumption. If you’re curious, it’s worth trying them, but serving them unsuspectingly is a waste of resources and effort. The art of culinary experimentation is fascinating, but maintaining transparency and respect for our diners is equally important.