Whats in veggie burgers?
Welcome to the world of veggie burgers- where meat-free options have officially gained a cult following. While we all know that what goes into our food is important, the lack of transparency of ingredients raises concerns for any fresh-faced vegetarian or vegan embarking on their health journey. In this article, we’ll be breaking down some common (and maybe even surprising) ingredients found in your classic veggie burger repertoire.
A Brief History
Before handheld plant-based patties graced fast food menus and stylish bistro plates alike, veggie burgers were mainly home-cooked affairs made from common staples like rice, chickpeas or black beans molded into patty form. Fast forward to today’s lifestyle trends focused on consuming whole foods diets full-on Omega 3s, fiber and micronutrients – leading to an increase in demand for quality packaged Vegan “meat” products with cleaner labels. This market trend led Beyond Meat and Impossible Food to introduce algae heme which gives bleeding effect just like traditional Burger patty grease – causing a stir among health-conscious eaters everywhere.
The MVP Ingredients
While every designer vegan patty has its unique twist – there are some similar MVP ingredients found across most brands:
Soy Protein
Soy protein remained one of everyone’s go-to ingredient as it contributed chewy texture along with neutral flavor & is relatively easy to source at low cost compared to other protein alternatives such as pea or quinoa proteins.
### Wheat Gluten
The second-most used ingredient when it came bulking up texturally was wheat gluten more commonly referred also called seitan,(sounds Middle Easten but no devil worshippers here) vital wheat gluten works well because binds water during processing which helps create cooked meat textures without compromising taste especially those low fat version requiring binding mechanism.
Legumes
Beans provide numerous nutrient benefits due their rich source complex carbs , Fibers and antioxidants. Chickpeas with their nutty flavor and inherent easiness to mash up its flesh- a Chik’n patty for example provide bulk texture – very similar poultry.
Grains & Vegetables
Other common additional ingredients include grains, usually handful of oats or quinoa which help hold the mixture together while also providing some additional protein content. Additional vegetables like pumpkin, spinach, beets or even carrots add crucial nutritional value as well as subtle sweetness especially when added fresh puree form.
The Unexpected Suspects
Like any good mystery novel – let’s examine a few niche specialty ingredients that you may otherwise not have considered:
Methylcellulose
Methylcellulose aka Methocel is widely used ingredient in many store bought meatless patties possessed unique gelling properties creating stronger textures compared to other binding agents making it ideal substitute for egg whites – another popular binder found in Meat based Burgers.
### Carrageenan
A seaweed derivative derived from coastal algae varieties primarily sourced around Ireland where Irish moss has been traditionally consumed because it acts as an anti-inflammatory , so starting incorporating into Veggie burgers seems logical right? Well carrageenan can thicken liquids like water into beef-like broths adjust consistency of “meat” alternatives ultimately enhancing textural appeal.
### Amaranth Flour
Surprising superfood meets Vegan burger king! Hailing from South America — amaranth flour finding frequently incorporated due perception dense “nutrient-packed” label sort off rubs off on final product instantly giving healthy halo boosting ingredients statement along with wonderful earthy taste.
To Wrap It Up
There’s no denying that veggie burgers come packed full of various beneficial nutrients vital needed for daily diets they’ve become great tasty options keep knocking nonvegetarians who hasn’t committed completely opting lifestyle change .All things said and done packaging always clearly displays truthfully what went inside your Meal, making life so easy for us!
So, the next time you order vegan burger sans meat- from your local fast food joint or pack them up at home freezer section just be mindful of an all-but-secret roster of “undercover” ingredients that help create some of today’s popular vegetarian-friendly meals.
Hey there, I’m Dane Raynor, and I’m all about sharing fascinating knowledge, news, and hot topics. I’m passionate about learning and have a knack for simplifying complex ideas. Let’s explore together!
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