A meat analogue, known also as meat alternative, meat substitute, mock meat, faux meat, imitation meat, vegetarian meat, fake meat, or vegan meat, mimics certain aesthetic qualities (texture, flavour, appearance) or chemical characteristics of specific types of meat and is often a food made from vegetarian ingredients, and also sometimes without animal products such as milk, butter, cheese, etc.
Many are soy-based (e.g., tofu, tempeh), gluten-based or pea protein based.
The market for meat analogues mainly targets vegetarians, vegans, non-vegetarians seeking to reduce their meat consumption due to medical conditions and people following religious dietary strictures in Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism and Christians during Lent period.
In addition the global demand for sustainable diets in response to the projected role animal products play in global warming and other environmental....
