– Scientists in South Korea have developed a new method for making lab-grown or cultured meat that aims to mimic the taste and flavor of conventional meat.
– The lab-grown meat takes the form of a transparent pink disc-shaped scaffold. It is made by cultivating animal cells on a structure that allows the cells to multiply without raising and farming animals.
– Previous cultured meat has replicated the look and feel of real meat but lacked flavor. The new method introduces a “flavor switchable compound” into the scaffold that is activated by heat during cooking to generate savory and meaty flavors similar to the Maillard reaction.
– Researchers used an electronic nose to test the aromas of the cultured meat and compare it to real meat flavors. They focused on beef flavors but the system could potentially mimic other meats.
– The goal is to further refine cultured meat to better match the texture and appearance of conventional meat while being more sustainable and environmentally-friendly than livestock farming. Some challenges around commercialization and public acceptance remain.
Source: CNN
