DOES ANYONE WANT A BLEEDING VEGGIE BURGER?

August 11, 2016

How would you feel about a veggie burger that so closely mimics ground beef, it ‘bleeds’? Well, like it or not, the bleeding veggie burger is now a reality.

Veggie burgers have had a long-standing reputation of not tasting the same and their beef counterparts, falling apart, and being unable to resemble ‘real meat’ closely enough that they would be considered over a beef burger if given the choice–until now. Recently, a number of ecologically minded businesses have set out to change that. One notable player in the veggie player protein game is LA-based ‘Beyond Meat’.

Founded by Ethan Brown in 2009, Beyond Meat is the creator of the notorious ‘Beyond Burger’, a burger so juicy that it actually ‘bleeds’, thanks to pulverized beets. This burger may appeal to veggie and meat eaters alike, but is especially geared towards die-hard meat lovers. The Beyond Burger is said to taste and chew just like a regular beef patty, and (get ready) will be sold right alongside ground beef in the meat refrigerated section. That’s a pretty bold move.

Many individuals who opt for a plant-based diet aren’t interested in seeking out plant-based alternatives that resemble meat, and thus likely won’t be drawn to these new products that boast their resemblance to the real thing. However, meat production is a major contributor of climate change, and that is something that everybody needs to pay attention to. In fact, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has estimated that livestock production is responsible for 14.5% of greenhouse gases. That being said, it is vitally important that everyone considers the impact of their meat consumption – perhaps new alternatives, such as the ‘bleeding veggie burger’, are the latest thing in guiding the direction of rethinking mainstream protein.

Bridging the gap between veggie and meat burger preferences might be exactly what is needed to more efficiently tackle meat consumption as an environmental issue. And with Bill Gates as an investor, and Don Thompson, the former CEO of McDonald’s on the Board of Directors, it’s clear that this idea is receiving some influential attention.

Whatever your dietary preferences, we’re curious to hear from you! What do you think about the new phenomenon around veggie burgers for meat lovers? Are you anxiously awaiting the bleeding veggie burger’s arrival in Canada?