Faux Meat Products

I dabble. Can't eat too much of it within a small time window though.

Impossible is good.

I eat real food.

Processed food can suck in so many manifestations. I generally don’t like pretend food.  Some exceptions are meatless products that have a history far older than corporate trends.  And why is trendatarian food often much more expensive than real meat.  Fuzzy math.  Don’t like being fooled coming and going...

After learning about Impossible Burger's testing on animals, I no longer purchase their products.

https://www.peta.org/blog/why-it-is-impossible-for-peta-to-get-behind-the-impossible-burger/

But you've made a good observation about bacon and steak ... I think it's because they're essentially "whole" animal products that are what they are by virtue of how they're cut from the animal.

I've seen some fake "Canadian bacon" that is relatively close to the real deal, but never "real" bacon.   I think it'll be a long time before "they" will figure out how to replicate how fat figures into the equation.

Not to worry, technology always works out.

Really like the Beyond Meat brand burgers and sausages, but cook it too long and you'll fuck it up.

I hope to dabble in the market - the beyond meat IPO soared, and Impossible Foods is also tempting investment. 

Will I go into Burger King or Carl’s Jr’s to grab an impossible burger? Probably not. I do like the fake meats, but as a side/topping and prefer a healthier main meal of organic whole grains and veggies. Good alternative to animal products at the greasy spoons though those who already frequent such places - Better for the humans,  animals and the planet too. 

I'd also put "whole chicken" (as if one were eating a breast or leg directly) in the same category as beef and bacon.   I've eaten many good versions of faux nuggets/patties, but never a whole "product".

im extremeley exited to try some of these...to the point i regularly google "impossible burger" hoping for the announcement that its finally hit store shelves.

i had an impossible burger at gotts roadside...it was pretty good. i could easily tell the difference on all fronts but if someone had told me it was beef, i might have beleived it. but going into it knowing what it was, i didnt find it identical like some other folks are reporting. but it was pretty good. the whole "heme" thing is fascinating.

im also really exited to try lab grown meat. ill be one of the first lining up to try it...genetic mutations be damned.

however...i dont see myself ever adding these kinds of things to my regular diet. its more a food science curiosity. if i wanted to reduce my reliance on commercial meat production i would sooner start hunting, raise and kill my own, or just go actual vegetarian...where you eat, you know...vegtables. 

I had a fake meet up with Googly.

Check the Asian supermarkets.  They usually have a wide assortment of very realistic faux meats, including chicken breasts and legs that have the taste and texture of the real thing.  Much wider selection than you find at Whole Foods and other western style "natural" food stores.  I guess its a thing over there.   You can get some very realistic "fish" at the Asian supermarkets too.<<<

I had no idea faux meat products were big in other countries ... thought it was mostly an American thing.

There's an Asian supermarket in Westminster, CO near some hotels I often stay at for shows ... so will have to check that out!

What about faux "dog"?

^^^^All dogs are faux

19.5....H Mart on Parker Rd is where "it's" at.

Is it better than the H Mart on Sheridan Rd?

I'm guessing it's the same, FOM.

I’m intrigued by recent development in lab grown seafood.  It could have a huge impact protecting oceans from over harvest.  

I have to side with my wife on fake meat products --- if you're veggie why eat something that reminds you of meat?  Would the best 'faux meat' bite feel like you are ripping through flesh?  Do you actually like liquid smoke flavor? 

YES Jonas I agree. I also dislike N/A beer.

And fat free/sugar free ice cream.

>>> if you're veggie why eat something that reminds you of meat? <<<

I eat it because it's an alternative protein, not because it reminds me of anything, different flavors, different products.

Non factory meat is available everywhere.  Living with a veggie for the past 27 years has changed the way I personally think about food.  We have different cutting boards, different pans etc. and even though I choose to consume animal flesh I've come to the conclusion that if I didn't the last thing I would look for is a tofu dog or an impossible burger.   I eat veggie only meals plenty and never do I want it ruined with liquid smoke or some other filler garbage. 

I find that the TVP stuff really fucks with my digestion.  Otherwise I’d probably be more in favor of the faux menu.  

all that stuff has shit oils.

make a veggie burger christsakes.

Married a vegetarian 27 years ago myself, became one soon after.

Many reasons to not eat meat.

People's diets...to each his own

>>>>Would the best 'faux meat' bite feel like you are ripping through flesh?

Pretty much. The key to Impossible Burger is that they have genetically engineered "heme" which is the ingredient of hemoglobin (blood) that people find satisfying.  It literally satisfies your blood lust, which is why people like Impossible Burgers so much. Probably a great product for people who wish they could eat meat but can't for health reasons. 

I think I'm in the liquid smoke camp when it comes to fake meat, as opposed to the test tube blood camp.

Test Tube Blood Camp

fuck yeah

I like falafel 'burger'...I generally dont like fake burgers that attempt to taste like meat but veggie patties are ok. You can season tempeh or tofu however you want but trying to get it to taste like meat doesn't work for me

>But the two meat products I haven't seen a good faux version of are bacon and steak.

go to the Butcher's Son in Berkeley. 100% vegan.  they serve up fake bacon that really does taste like the real thing and they sell it frozen in their "market". Their  cheese steak sandwich is really good too,  I usually order the BBQ pulled pork sandwich.

I was there one day watching a customer throw a hissy fit after his meal when he found out that it was fake meat. he was not a vegan and I guess his friend punk'd  him. 

So yes, the  vegan food is tasty and can pass for the real thing.

I know it's a matter of taste and our son who grew up a vegetarian doesn't like the place or the concept of eating fake meat and he never associated the flavors with "comfort" food. He doesn't understand the  concept of eating animals - real or fake. He likes Tempeh though and the Butcher's Son does make a mean Tempeh burger, luckily. 

To those of us who grew up meat eaters, it's a nostalgic thing that I do enjoy once in a while - the flavors are still enjoyable even though I've  gone vegan. Our kid on the other hand finds it all disgusting.

http://www.thebutchersveganson.com/

PS

With less FDA/USDA oversight and enforcement, you can bet there will be issues with the meat supply in the near future. And at that point, the meat eaters will be turning to the fake meat products in droves, especially since products from Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat are good tasting alternatives. That's my investment strategy anyway. hehe. 

For those of us who do eat meat, many areas have locally raised meats. I don't feel concerned about my meat supply "in the near future" because I know where it is from and what their practices are, sold by a couple of local great meat markets and farmer/ranchers.
I haven't tasted the faux's.

that's nice that you have local small farmers that sell you high quality meats, however  that's not where the vast majority of Americans get their meat -  certainly not in the supply chain for Burger King, etc. 

as more people switch to plant based diets, or at least reduced consumption of meats for health reasons,  the demand for many of these faux meat products will increase. no matter how you slice it, the fact is that animal protein - particularly red meat -  is just not good for one's health. 

Ok Ken, we don't know each other,however As a spouse of a long time original Zonner,Bart he respected you.

I do as well.

I just had the faux,fake  whatever process meat like product discussion with  Zonner Alias.

My personal experience is that because my 'Bart'  and I became "vegetarians" in the early 1990's.

At that stage of our lives,we were following the trend of 'vege' everything.Bart worked at our local Co up health food store.

Processed tofu were in my daily diet for about five years.

So Surprised, the a few years later,was diagnosed with aggressive lobular HER POSITIVE breast cancer stAte 2*plus..

ya,we all will die of something!

So,Back to faux foods....do not it.I consulted with my specific lab's with about 8 oncologist s.They all agreed! No more SOY(it increases estrogen in my the cancer) ,and  eatfresh everything!

FYI,DO Not be fooled by farmed fish! Like "Tilapia" is NOT a real fush. It is a genetically engineered fish. .

So shall.you folks believing this is a great food.......

Probably increases our human demise ,

Instead THINK,education,and 

Be Nice

I Am with Surf Dead and Mark Not Fade  on this subject,eat real food.You too Nancy!,(and how processed is the faux shit??????) 

Beware the food industry is trying to make $$$ on your body .

Think before you eat.

love yourelf

the fact is that animal protein - particularly red meat -  is just not good for one's health.

not even in the ballpark of reality

Actually it is reality, but you can eat whatever you want, Daylight and I'll do the same. I didn't go vegan to benefit my health - but that's a bonus as the research had indicated for years. Consuming animal protein - particularly daily -  is linked to heart disease and a myriad of other health issues. 

https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/study-links-frequent-red-m...

The Beef with Beef

https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/02/opinions/impossible-burgers-might-just-sa...

SPAM or STFU

>That's my investment strategy anyway. hehe. 

Might as well invest in Trump steaks.  

>particularly red meat -  is just not good for one's health.

Patently false. 

This meat eater would never turn to faux meat.  If there were a problem with the meat supply I have enough deer & turkey that come in my yard on a daily basis that I could pluck one a week and never worry about the hurting the population.   McDonalds isn't going anywhere. There will always be a segment of the population that needs to live off a fast food dollar menu.  I get it and regardless of the lies coming from Washington the economy is not good and will only sink lower.  

I don't get the blood lust thing?  Part of me being a vegetarian would be my concern of the treatment of animals.  Play with a pig one day and then eat bacon the next.....  It certainly wouldn't be for health reasons and I certainly wouldn't want to feel like i'm eating animal flesh.    But that's just me.  

I'll stick to my guns -- liquid smoke is garbage. Any product with liquid smoke in it should land straight in the garbage.  Toast up some herbs, spice probably...just don't use liquid smoke.

An over abundance of fatty meat will lead to health issues. Overindulged on shitty vegan ice cream and you'll get a fat ass.  

Correct, Jonas. High sugar  intake can have adverse health consequences and  and sugar cane farming can be damaging to the environment. Had some peach dairy free Gelato this weekend that was delicious. And Salt and Straw makes some amazing coconut based mint chocolate chip dairy free ice cream. Yeah, Faux ice cream probably deserves it's own thread.

There will always be a segment of the population that needs to live off a fast food dollar menu.

no, there isnt...calorie for calorie there are much cheaper options than fast food...its not like you get an actual meal for a few bucks...each item is very very tiny. at the end of the day something like chicken/beans and rice with cheap vegetables is cheaper...but i suppose there is a large segment of the population that chicken and veg over rice wont work for because it isnt covered in bacon and mayo.

nanc, most of the studies that have found correlations between read meat consumption and enhanced TMAO levels are not taking into account the persons entire diet - are they eating some grass fed lamb chops, served with fresh vegetables, or are they eating their red meat in the form of burgers with mayo and buns made of refined sugar and flour? there are many studies looking at the issue from a more holistic angle that dont come to the same conclusions.

studies like this - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8842068, that focus entirely on health conscious people, some vegetarian and some not, dont find the same correlations as the epidemiological studies that focus on much broader populations and only control for a few dietary factors.

here is a study which links some of these negative health effects being pinned on red meats to processed meats - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2885952/

and i think i have found the actual study that is referred to in the summary you posted - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30535398, which says - "all meals prepared in metabolic kitchen with 25% calories from protein"...but its not really clear what that means. what is the "metabolic kitchen"? are other foods controlled for in this metabolic kitchen? what about sugar intake? or intake of processed foods? its a shame the full text of these studies is hidden behind such expensive paywalls, average people trying to discuss them like this are just grasping in the dark.

these kinds of studies, however, should be familiar to any deadhead or cannabis user...we are all familiar with the studies that show correlation between cannabis and a host of negative effects...the mantra so commonly repeated is "correlation does not equal causation". just because a population that uses cannabis has increased rates of mental illness, does not mean it was caused by the cannabis. there are so many factors not controlled for...same goes for most of these studies on red meat/heart disease...there are so many factors not being controlled for.

just because there is a peer reviewed study that comes to a specific conclusion does not mean the study was done properly or the conclusions are valid -

Three US researchers have pulled off a sophisticated hoax by publishing fake research with ridiculous conclusions in sociology journals to expose what they see as ideological bias and a lack of rigorous vetting at these publications.

Seven of the 20 fake articles written by the trio were accepted by journals after being approved by peer-review committees tasked with checking the authors' research.

A faux study claiming that "Dog parks are Petri dishes for canine 'rape culture'" by one "Helen Wilson" was published in May in the journal Gender, Place and Culture.

The article suggests that training men like dogs could reduce cases of sexual abuse.

 https://phys.org/news/2018-10-real-fake-hoodwinks-journals.html

>>>>I don't get the blood lust thing? 

The makers of Impossible Burger have figured out how to make a plant based "heme".  Heme is an iron-rich component of blood (hemoglobin is a kind of blood protein).  Making realistic tasting blood gives impossible burgers the taste and the look of burgers, one of their big marketing points is that the burger "bleeds".  In this context, "blood lust" doesn't mean lust to kill, it means that people find blood tasty. Until now, faux meats have relied on smoke flavoring and other umami flavors.  Impossible Burger is a huge hit because they are blood burgers.

Impossible burger hype is kinda funny, beet burgers taste just as good and ‘bleed’ - bonus points to Impossible Foods for their convincing marketing. 

Guess it depends which chef is making the beet burgers. First one I tried was at the Philadelphia airport Marriot hotel (missed flight that day). I bit into it and called the waiter over to make sure it wasn’t beef. They nailed the texture and it bled. I found a good recipe and cooked some up that were almost as good. Full disclosure- I like beets .