PUBLISHED February 20th, 2021 06:00 am | UPDATED February 28th, 2021 10:24 pm
In a world where we are becoming increasingly aware of the effects of climate change, more are turning to veganism or supplementing their diets with plant-based meats to reduce our individual impacts on the environment. If you’ve started enjoying meatless meats outside the home and want to experiment in your kitchen, here’s the rundown of meat alternatives available in Singapore and where to buy them.
Impossible Foods
Many of us have tried Impossible’s ‘meat’ by now, with popular restaurants and joints like Three Buns, Stuff’d, and even Starbucks featuring it on their menus. This company’s use of the molecule heme – a molecule found in all living organisms that helps carry oxygen and gives blood its red hue – is what gives the products of Impossible Foods the quality of ‘meatiness’ without actually containing any. Not only are these products meat-free, but they’re made with soy and potato, use healthy fats and are high in protein.
Buy Impossible Foods at FairPrice, Redmart and Classic Deli.
Beyond Meat
Used by Wolf Burgers, Harry’s and many others, the aptly named Beyond Meat is a strong contender for our favourite plant-based meat because it goes beyond just taste. Resembling raw meat, it’s made from plant proteins – think peas, rice, and beets for that reddish hue. This surprisingly meaty burger also contains no GMOs and no soy, which is an advantage if you’re soy-intolerant. Other variants include meat mince and sausage links.
Buy Beyond Meat at FairPrice, Cold Storage, Redmart, Little Farms, Sasha’s Fine Foods and Green Common.
OmniMeat
We adore OmniMeat for its distinctively Asian influence. Made with shiitake mushrooms, peas, non-GMO soy and rice, this all-purpose plant-based meat is high in fibre, iron and calcium and environmentally-friendly. Instead of focusing on a beef alternative like many other brands, OmniMeat has created alternatives to a common Asian ingredient – pork. A highlight of their products is the OmniMeat Luncheon, a healthier version of luncheon meat, sans meat. There are even ready-to-eat buns and dumplings for a quick, wholesome meal.
Buy OmniMeat at FairPrice, Redmart, Hao Mart, Sheng Siong, Prime Supermarket and Green Common.
Quorn
Quorn has been around the longest (it was founded in 1985!) and therefore, it comes as no surprise that the brand has the widest range of products on our list. Specialising in fish, sausage and chicken substitutes, Quorn is made with mycoprotein (from fungi) and can be used in almost any way you like. They have meatballs, fillets – and we hear their nuggets taste just like those from the Golden Arches. High in fibre and a good source of protein, Quorn is affordable and readily accessible.
Buy Quorn at FairPrice, Cold Storage, Redmart and Sheng Siong.
Gardein
Hailing from the United States, Gardein goes one step further than most meat alternative brands by having a whole range of plant-based dupes that can even replace seafood. Produced from pea, wheat and soy proteins, vegetables and grains including quinoa and millet, highlights of their selection include fishless fish fillets, sweet and tangy BBQ wings, and even mini crabless crab cakes.
Buy Gardein at Ryan’s Grocery and Redmart.
Karana
Following traditions from Asia, Karana is making pork alternatives out of young jackfruit. This minimally processed, whole-plant product is extremely sustainable and made from under-valued crops in Sri Lanka, sourced sustainably from smallholder farms. Instead of adding protein isolates during processing, their products focus on having high fibre content as it is more difficult to meet humans’ daily fibre needs than protein.
Karana is currently available in dishes at Candlenut, Grain Traders, Butcher Boy, Open Farm Community, Morsels and Atout. Their products will retail in Q1 of 2021.
Top image: Rubato’s burger featuring Impossible Meat