All About the Impossible Burger
What is the Impossible Burger?
If you keep up with foodie news, you probably know that the Impossible Burger's are the latest plant-based patties to hit the food scene. But why are they different? Why are they so-called "impossible"? These patties apparently look, smell and even taste like meat. Bold claim, so I went and tried one out for myself. Thankfully, the patty I sampled from Finney's Crafthouse in Santa Barbara definitely lived up to the hype. It was moist, well seasoned, and held together just like a typical hamburger would (hooray!)
If you have ever come across veggie patties, you probably know that although delicious, they are rarely perfect replacements to good meat patties. Most vegetarians and vegans have no problem with this, but the meat lovers looking to reduce their meat consumption definitely do. Although I personally have not eaten red meat in years, my friends tell me that there is a certain satisfaction in eating a meat patty that is just not there with a veggie patty.
Think about it, people typically fear the unknown. That is exactly why I feel that these Impossible Burger's are a milestone in the sustainable food industry. Their whole mantra is to preserve the aspects of meat that we know, love and recognize without the extreme water use, animal cruelty and land consumption. As far as I know, these are the closest alternatives to traditional hamburger patties that currently exist. Hopefully, they will finally appeal to the extreme meat lovers of this country.
What is in The Impossible Burger?
Great question. These sound almost too good to be true - patties that look like, and taste like meat without coming from animals...weird. The patties are made mostly of wheat protein, potato protein, coconut oil, and soy (read their full ingredient list here). The "meat" consistency and smell actually comes from something called heme. They say it best on their website, "Heme is exceptionally abundant in animal muscle, and it’s a basic building block of life in all organisms, including plants." The Impossible Foods team came up with a way to take heme from plants and produce it using fermentation. Voila, meat without the actual animal products in it.
I will advise you to take a peek at the nutritional facts (which show that one serving of the burger has 50% of your daily recommended saturated fats). It might be smart to eat these sparingly, just as you would with real burgers.
Where can I find the Impossible Burger?
Impossible burgers are now available at select grocery stores or DTC via their website. Check availability at a grocer near you. They are also being offered at some of our favorite restaurants such as Fatburger, Umami Burger, and White Castle. To see a full list of restaurant locations that carry them, click here. As this wave of sustainable patties catches momentum, Impossible Foods are continuing to pop up at some of the biggest chains in the United States. Stay tuned, as they’re definitely a company to keep an eye on!
