These new plant-based steaks are almost indistinguishable from animal meat. Complete with “blood” and fat, they created Project Eden—a startup in Berlin, Germany. The startup has raised over $10 million and plans to launch their exceptionally realistic vegan steak later this year.
Project Eden uses fiber-spinning to make their steaks. This pre-existing technology is often used in the textile, aerospace and IT industries. Project Eden produces thin, thread-like plant-based protein fibers that mimic the taste and texture of animal meat. These fibers are put through a machine that “threads” and bunches the vegetable fat into the finished product. Jan Wilmking, co-founder of Project Eden, said:
Our ultimate goal is to offer consumers a product that eliminates every reason to eat animals. We want to completely recreate and even improve the sensory profile and overall pleasure people experience when they eat meat.
Comprised of engineers, food technologists, scientists, and culinary professionals, the startup believes their unique approach to creating realistic plant-based meats can help change the world—and they do. Fiber-spinning is highly scalable and can closely replicate animal flesh due to its ability to fine-tune marbling and texture on a micrometer scale. Physicist David Schmelzeisen describes it:
The main thing is texture. We create fibers that contain several components so that when you bite into each million fibers, you have the kind of bite resistance that real meat has when you chew it. It makes a real difference. We believe we have a unique opportunity to build an outstanding company, from a unique technology angle, and build something that’s great.
The truth is, plant-based meats are growing! According to a new report by Future Market Insights, the global plant-based meat market is expected to grow from $4.7 billion in 2022 to $7.4 billion by the end of 2032.
Curious which vegan meats are leading the charge? Here are the fastest growing vegan meats by product and type.