Just when you thought 2020 couldn't get any stranger, a company has launched the world's first 3D-printed vegan steak. Redefine Meat, an Israeli company based in Rehovot, has launched an 'Alt-Steak' that replicates the texture, taste and appearance of real meat—all thanks to 3D printing technology. The new alt-steak is made from soy and pea protein, coconut oil and sunflower oil, and natural colors and flavors. The artificial steak aims to recreate the muscle structure of beef, is rich in protein, and—being plant-based—contains no cholesterol.
This creation also seems to have left out no detail. Redefine Meat worked with leading butchers, chefs, food technologists and flavor experts to digitally map more than 70 different sensory factors—including the meat's texture, juiciness, fat distribution, mouthfeel and more. The company expects to begin testing alt-beef slices in high-end Israeli restaurants as early as next month—with plans to launch in European restaurants next year and in supermarkets in 2022. The people behind the alt-steak say the invention is also of major significance to the food industry. Eshchar Ben-Shitrit, co-founder and CEO of Redefine Meat, said in an interview with The Media Line: 'This is the world's first 3D-printed steak that can truly pass the test of what a steak is. We have reached a milestone, because we can print steaks at scale, with great taste and texture. To make a meatless steak similar to animal muscle, a special 3D printer is needed. Until now, no one had this printer; we developed it over the past two years.' Of course, Redefine Meat is not the only brand venturing into the 'lab-grown' meat trend. Three years ago, Beyond Burger launched a vegan 'bleeding' burger—a product that looks, cooks and tastes like a fresh beef burger.