Would You Eat a Veggie Burger That Bleeds?

If you haven’t heard by now, a hyper-realistic veggie burger, complete with veggie “blood” is on its way. Right now, the burger costs about $20 to manufacture – too high to put on the market – but the company behind the beef-less veggie “meat,” Impossible Foods, is working on reducing costs.

Impossible Foods achieves a lifelike meaty flavor by infusing their veggie “beef” with the same molecule that gives real meat its distinctive flavor, heme. The company was founded by Stanford University Biochemist, Patrick Brown, a longtime vegetarian and vegan. In addition to realistic meats, Impossible Foods is also working on plant-based cheeses.

I like what this company stands for and what they are achieving, but I can’t say I’m eager to try a convincingly real veggie burger. For me, if it really tasted like meat, I would be grossed out. However, I don’t think this burger is being made for people like me – vegans who gave up meat a long time ago – I think this burger is being made for people who can’t stop eating real meat, insisting that nothing tastes as good.

What do you think? Would you eat a realistic veggie burger that bleeds?

If you’d like to learn more about Impossible Foods and the science behind their burger, check out this informative video: