Juicy Marbles Unveils Plant-Based Filet Mignon

Originating from Slovenia, the start-up Juicy Marbles has created a vegan substitute for the filet mignon, one of the culinary world's most esteemed cuts.

Juicy Marbles created a plant-based piece of meat, rather than a processed meat product

A well-cooked steak, featuring a desirable brown crust on the exterior while retaining a succulent, pink, and tender interior, is among the utmost pleasures one may encounter. Nevertheless, our existing meat production processes entail numerous issues. In addition to the ethical implications of breeding animals for slaughter, there are further issues concerning environmental impact, human health, and the inefficacy in adequately nourishing the population, as stated by Juicy Marbles’ co-founder Maj Hrovat. In this context, plant-based meats provide a more sustainable option, capable of being produced more effectively in greater volumes, utilizing innovative technology, while maintaining the same exceptional flavor as traditional meats.

The initial advancement in vegan meats that resembled authentic flavors was the launch of the Impossible Burger by Impossible Foods. Beyond Meat subsequently introduced their range of plant-based meatballs, sausages, and burger patties. The prevailing theme is that nearly all of these brands provided merely substitutes for processed meat items rather than genuine meat products. Juicy Marbles seized the opportunity in the plant-based market and opted to create a genuine steak derived from plants.

The primary rationale for brands to create plant-based processed meats is the inherent lack of texture in these animal products. Replicating the texture of muscle fibers in a steak is exceedingly challenging. Furthermore, the sought-after flavor and texture of marbling make procuring a steak from the butcher appear nearly effortless. In Israel, the inaugural lab-cultivated meat was produced utilizing a scaffold in a specialized medium. Redefine Meat employed 3D printing technology to simulate the texture of muscle fibers in its lab-cultivated meat. Nonetheless, Luka Sincek, a microbiologist and co-founder of Juicy Marbles, articulated that these production processes were excessively intricate and protracted. Consequently, they devised their proprietary patent-pending technology, the Meat-o-matic Reverse Grinder 9000. This enabled the Juicy Marbles team to regulate the alignment and stratification of soy-based fibers that constitute each steak, thus replicating the gratifying mouthfeel associated with a sumptuous filet mignon.

The co-founders of Juicy Marbles aimed to include intramuscular fat, commonly referred to as marbling by culinary enthusiasts, into their plant-based steak. The priciest steaks globally are distinguished by their rich marbling. Significant energy and a unique kind of cattle are required to do that. Sincek elucidates. Unsaturated sunflower oil is employed to replicate the marbling present in esteemed pieces of beef. In addition to replicating the appearance of marbling, sunflower oil enhances the richness of the vegan meat and contributes to its succulence.

Additional substances are incorporated into the mixture to replicate a steak that seems and tastes genuine. The "meat" fibers are, in fact, derived from soy. Beetroot powder imparts a red hue to the steak, while additional natural flavorings contribute to the complex taste characteristic of red meat.

The outcome is a plant-derived filet mignon that purportedly resembles and flavors like the authentic version. Juicy Marbles advises preparation akin to that of a meat dish. The appeal of meat lies not only in its texture and flavor but also in the simplicity of its preparation. "A dash of salt, a sizzle in the pan, and voilà – a delectable protein is presented on your plate," stated Vladimir Mickovic, Chief Brand Officer of Juicy Marbles.

Although theoretically sustainable, the production costs of a plant-based filet mignon remain quite high in actuality. A 600-gram serving that accommodates up to four individuals will cost US$147.91, comparable to the price of a quality cut of beef. However, Sincek remains optimistic about the potential to reduce costs in the future. “By utilizing plant-based meat, we exert control over the production process, enabling us to scale up steak manufacturing and reduce costs over time.” Ultimately, we will render the finest meats accessible to all,” he elucidates.

Juicy Marbles' website now features the latest plant-based steaks for purchase, with complimentary shipping on orders above US$83.54.