A vegan fermented steak has been launched by Swiss FoodTech company Planted, which describes itself as the ‘trailblazer for clean label plant-based meats’.
Its newest innovation, the fermented steak is described as ‘a game-changing fermented beef fillet steak made from plants’
The steak is ‘the first product to be launched from Planted’s “whole-muscle platform”; which marks the announcement of the company’s strategic expansion of its production capabilities with a cutting-edge fermentation facility in Kemptthal, Switzerland’.
In a statement sent to Vegan Food and Living, Planted said: “Planted.steak oozes juiciness, tenderness and a rich distinctive umami flavour, all thanks to the cutting-edge fermentation process.
“True to Planted’s philosophy created exclusively from natural ingredients including soya protein, rapeseed oil, bean and rice flours as well as a proprietary blend of microbial cultures, the steak is testament to sustainable culinary ingenuity.”
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Vegan fermented steak
Pascal Bieri, co-founder of Planted, continued: “Our planted.steak is designed to satisfy even the most discerning palate.
“It’s a true game changer, not only for us but also for the whole category. No other plant-based steak on the market uses only natural ingredients, zero additives and displays features such as juiciness as well as tenderness.
“In the research and development process, we have worked with over 50 gastronomy professionals to achieve a steak that is literally unreal, in taste, texture, application and overall eating experience.”
The company also highlighted the nutritional values of the steak, noting its ‘high protein and fibre, essential micronutrients vitamin B12 and iron….[and] low saturated fats’.
Discover more of the health benefits of fermented foods
Planted's vegan steak is high protein and fibre, essential micronutrients vitamin B12 and iron, and low saturated fats. Photo © Planted Foods AG
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‘Sustainable solution’
According to Planted, its steak is not ‘just a culinary innovation’ but also ‘a scalable sustainable solution to the environmental challenges posed by traditional meat production, especially beef production‘.
It points out: “Creation of the planted.steak needs 97 per cent less CO2e emissions per product weight compared to its animal counterpart.”
Beef is one of the most intensive foods due to the large pasture areas or agricultural land required to grow feed, as well as the other resources needed.
In addition, it adds: “Cattle digestion and manure release more greenhouse gasses, compared to poultry or pigs, cattle have a longer growth period before they are ready for slaughter.
“During this time, they consume feed and continuously produce methane. In terms of water footprint, planted.steak requires 81% less freshwater than an animal counterpart.
It’s plan in creating a plant-based steak with has taste parity with its traditional counterpart, is to ‘significant reduce CO2e emissions and freshwater consumption…without compromising on taste, quality or eating experience’.
The steak uses natural ingredients, is environmentally friendly, and is realistic enough to appease the most ardent meat fan. Photo © Planted Foods AG
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Muscle platform
Planted has unveiled the ‘strategic expansion of its production capabilities with a cutting-edge fermentation facility’ in tandem with its steak.
The new production site, in Kemptthal, Switzerland, has created 30 technical and operational jobs.
Lukas Böni, Co-founder and member of the Executive Board of Planted, said: “This investment in our expansion stems from a strategic decision to enhance our biotechnology footprint in Kemptthal – from labs to production.
“Our aim is to introduce innovative products from our fermentation platform to the market fast, particularly our planted.steak, which utilises the most advanced and disruptive fermentation technology today in terms of scalability, taste and product quality.
“We are proud to be one of the few innovators of plant-based meat that takes on all steps in the production process, from R&D to industrial production.
“The additional and new production site allows Planted a very fast turnaround from pilot stage to industrial production, significantly closing the time gap to market launch.”
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Featured photo © Planted Foods AG
