I haven’t tried these newer imitation meat.
I’m omnivore. My wife is mostly vegetarian. Maybe 90% vegetarian; she does eat fish; and occasionally meat. Whenever we go to vegetarian restaurant, I’m always surprised why they have fake meat (chicken, duck, beef, etc).
I am good with traditional vegetarian dishes. Just vegetables in American restaurant; veggies and tofu in Asian restaurant. No need to fake anything. These taste normal. I have no problem eating that. Of course not every meal, but occasionally is fine.
Then the fake meat is just ridiculous to me. Probably made by seitan. Hard and chewy to emulate the meat texture. If I was thinking to become vegetarian, the fake meat will me off from becoming vegetarian.
Now from business point of view, I assume they want to target meat eaters (larger part of the population), vs vegetarians (smaller population).
- Why would meat eaters want to eat fake meat? They would have no issue eating real meat. (I’m in this group)
- Why would vegetarians want to eat fake meat? They are fine just eating no meat. I don’t think vegetarians have a craving for meat texture. (My wife is in this group)
- The only population that might be interested in fake meat are meat eaters who wants to be more eco-friendly or health conscious. I wonder how much of the population fall into this group? Maybe more younger folks (millennials) might be in this group?