The plant-based burgers cooking on the grill pan in the Starīs test kitchen range in texture from Spam-like to canned tuna. Two of the patties release juices and sizzle like a beef burger, while the other two are reminiscent of sponges that have been microwaved.This new crop of veggie burgers that aim to resemble ground beef - but be better for our health and the planet - have set the culinary world on fire, winning over big-name chefs at top-rated restaurants, selling out in supermarkets and restaurants across Canada and the U.S., and making companies millions.But what do these burgers taste like and are they really more nutritious and environmentally friendly than their beefy counterparts?Among the choices on my grill pan are the California-based Beyond Meat, supplier of meatless options to fast food outlets A&W, Tim Hortons and Quesada and grocers such as Sobeys and Longos; UK-based Meatless Farm Co.īs simulated beef burger, which I found at Longos; and two Canadian offerings - LightLife by Maple Leaf Foods and the Undeniable Burger by Presidentīs Choice. Both were introduced in grocery stores in May.A fifth popular patty, Impossible Foodsī burger, also from California, is currently sold out in the U.S. at fast-food outlets such as White Castle, Burger King and Bobīs Big Boy and is not available in Canada.These meatless burgers come with a lot of hype and a premium price, too. A pack of two Beyond Meat burgers retails for $8. Same for two LightLife burgers. The Undeniable Burgers from Presidentīs Choice are $10 for a pack of four, or $2.50 per patty. The Meatless Farm Co. sells two patties for $7.To compare, a package of eight plain Angus beef burgers from Presidentīs Choice cost $12.99, or $1.62 per patty.Regarding taste, Star staffers found the Beyond Meat burger the closest to a meat patty: juicy with a nice chew (though a bit bouncier than actual beef). LightLife came second with a similar texture but the heavy spice mix threw some tasters off. The Me ...
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