According to Datassential, nearly a quarter of Americans want to limit their meat consumption, meaning that more than 83 million people are looking for more non-meat products. But it’s no secret that the plant-based food industry has been on a downward trend for the past year. But thanks to new food technologies, you don’t have to completely sacrifice meat or milk. Hybrid foods and beverages combine animal products with plant-based proteins, and sometimes even vegetables. Hybrids can provide sustainable plant-based value while maintaining 100% of the flavor. They’re perfect for flexitarians, meat-eaters, and dairy lovers who want the “best of both worlds.”
These products are not a new phenomenon, and several brands have dabbled in the hybrid space, mixing plant-based proteins with vegetables or vegetables with traditional meat products. However, the most successful combinations seem to be plant-based proteins with traditional animal meats. The biggest concern consumers have about eating less meat (44%) is that their meals won’t taste good enough (Source: Datassential). Hybrid products could be the answer to many consumers’ concerns as they transition from meat-centric to more plant-based diets.
Finding the right balance of plant-based and animal-based proteins when creating hybrid foods and beverages can be challenging. A survey conducted by Brisan Group on flexitarian diets found that European consumers said a 50/50 mix of traditional meat and plant-based proteins in hybrid products was the most desirable (42%). The second most preferred mix (16%) was 30% traditional meat and 70% plant-based meat. These changing preferences, and of course the capabilities of developers, will change the composition and texture of hybrids. Finding a binder that balances the two proteins is difficult. Having a creative partner who can ask questions can speed up development time.
Planteneers understands the needs of consumers and wants to provide them with blended options that are less meaty and more plant-based. Our hybrid ingredient blends are created for this specific reason, but can also be customized to your specifications with the help of our R&D team. For example, our fiildMeat P 141501 is based on high-performance plant-based proteins combined with fiber. This balanced blend uses the interaction between the ingredients to ensure a typical meaty texture. By adjusting the flavor and meat type, a wide range of applications such as burgers, nuggets, and sausages can be produced.
Learn more about Planteneers Check out our hybrid products hereOr contact us (email protected). Interested in trying a sample of Planteneers ingredients? Use the Plantbaser tool to find the right ingredient blend for your current product development path. 2023 Plant-Based Innovation Award WinnerThis unique shop guides you through the process of selecting your materials, giving you what you need to get started.
What kind of company is Plantenius? Planteneers is a comprehensive plant-based ingredient solutions provider, providing stabilizers, texturizers, color and flavor solutions for all plant-based and hybrid products. Driven to accelerate time to market and commercialization, Planteneers’ team of R&D experts work with customers to develop plant-based alternatives for meat, sausage, fish, cheese, milk, dairy and deli foods. Planteneers has access to the knowledge of over 100 R&D professionals and the broad application expertise of 12 sister companies of the large, independent, owner-operated Stern-Wywiol Group worldwide.
