How did plant-based meat evolve from a popular “healthy and environmentally friendly” food to what it is today?

Plant meat once appeared as an innovative concept, but now it is almost "whoever touches it will overturn." It involves both celebrities such as Xiaotong and Zhang Yixing, as well as leading companies such as Haidilao.

In March 2021, Haidilao quietly replaced the beef cubes that were originally provided for free in 31 Taichung hot pot snacks in 31 stores in Shanghai with a similar-looking topping called "Wei Mate". Beef cubes are included in the menu and are available separately at a low price, about 50g/portion, priced at 0.8 yuan. This move quickly caused dissatisfaction among consumers.

In response, Haidilao said, "As a plant protein product, Wei Mate is made using innovative technology and costs more than beef cubes. Wei Mate is rich in high-quality plant protein and B-complex It contains vitamins and has the advantage of zero trans fatty acids, making it suitable for soups, dips, mixed rice, etc.” The reason why the beef cubes were changed from free to low-price is “to guide consumers to actively try plant protein products. At the same time, it can continue to meet the needs of customers who like beef cubes.”

But obviously, consumers don’t buy it. First, there are different opinions on the taste of the new product "Wei Mate". "Obviously, beef cubes have a sinewy feel when chewed, and there is no soul of meat after being turned into vegetarian food." Secondly, consumers do not agree that "the cost of plant meat is higher than beef cubes." ", believing that its prices are generally inflated simply by relying on concepts such as so-called "health" or "new things". Therefore, they all ridiculed "It turns out that Haidilao is so conscientious and takes the initiative to increase costs."

Plant-based meat products are not more nutritious:

Although many studies have shown that existing artificial meat is as safe as other ordinary processed foods on the market, and they have passed Standard inspection, it is a qualified product and will not cause any special harm to the body. However, most domestic consumers are still skeptical about its selling points such as "Plant meat products have higher protein content than real meat, less saturated fatty acids and zero cholesterol, and may even be more nutritious than real meat."

In this regard, Dr. Ding Xiang has analyzed these nutritional selling points one by one and said that the protein of soybeans and mixed beans is slightly worse than the protein of meat because the amino acid composition of the former protein lacks methionine, but this part It can be supplemented by fortified additions;

In the process of simulating the fat content of real meat, plant meat can control the saturated fatty acid content in plant protein meat and increase unsaturated fatty acids through the ratio of various vegetable oils. content, which is more advantageous to health; finally, studies have shown that cholesterol intake is not directly related to the incidence and death of coronary heart disease. Healthy people do not need to strictly limit cholesterol, and should emphasize a nutritionally balanced diet.