Over ten years of research and millions of investment dollars from the likes of Bill Gates went into developing the technology required to turn simple, non-GMO ingredients into a product that provides the protein, heft, and juiciness of a traditional beef patty without the use of animals.
Now, Silicon Valley-backed meat substitute The Beyond Burger has finally been made available to the New Zealand hospitality market, after gaining significant media traction during its limited New Zealand QSR release in mid-2019.
The patty is built around four main ingredients – water, pea protein, canola oil, and coconut oil – with extracts from other natural ingredients like beetroot and apple providing a meat-like colour and texture. Beyond Meat is also free of all major allergens like gluten, soy, and dairy, making it accessible to a wide range of customers.
Both in New Zealand and internationally, consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of the environmental impact and sustainability of their food choices, with ‘Meatless Mondays’ and flexitarian diets entering the mainstream.
Beyond Meat’s explosive growth across the globe mirrors this growing consumer appetite for plant-based proteins, with the market growing 42 percent in the United States alone between 2016 and 2019.
The company has positioned itself at the forefront of this plant-based revolution, thanks to the Beyond Burger’s meaty texture and taste, which allows consumers to feel good about their protein choices without sacrificing a burger from their favourite restaurant.
Now sold in over 53,000 locations across the world, the Beyond Burger enjoys a high level of brand recognition in an increasingly competitive market.
Beyond Meat received huge media attention in New Zealand during its limited QSR release in mid-2019, with stocks selling out, indicating high demand from a wide range of Kiwi consumers for high-quality, alternative protein options.
Available from Bidfood and Gilmours.
