Nourish uses precision fermentation – a process Petrie likens to beer-brewing – to grow its animal-like lipids. The fungal species is used in baby formula. “We sent our chief scientist off with a shovel … He went out and dug some up, and we tested and found probably a dozen different strains which had this type of fat in it.” To make Tastilux, Petrie went searching for these potent, fat-flavoursome molecules in non-animal sources – in particular, fungi. When it comes to the world of flavoursome animal fats, omega-6 fatty acids are high-profile stars. Consumers, he says, can detect differences in texture, appearance and, most of all, flavour – in which fat plays a prominent role. “Plant-based meat products have made significant strides in mimicking real meat … However, there are significant hurdles for it to compete with meat,” says Dr Ken Ng, a senior lecturer in food chemistry at the University of Melbourne. And while plant-based alternatives can play a critical role in tackling global warming, they are expensive and are not commonly celebrated for their flavour. In 2020 Food Frontier estimated that Australia’s $185m industry could grow to $2.9bn by 2030. Research from 2022 estimates the global industry was worth more than US$10bn (about A$15.6bn) but there are signs the market is fizzling out. Plant-based alt-protein is – or was – big money, depending on where you look. Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning It can be added to alternative plant-based meats to make them taste meatier and more delicious. It mimics the mouthfeel of animal fat but is derived from a fungal strain found in Australian soil. Tastilux, he says, is a world-first in a specific type of animal-free fat. The chief executive of Nourish Ingredients, an Australian-based food technology company, has just walked off stage after unveiling his company’s latest product at SXSW Sydney.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |