Plant-based meat is a hot topic for good reason. In 2030, the world is projected to reach 8.5 billion people. We’re going to run out of ways to feed the growing population, especially so when it comes to meat.
Plant-based products are very new to China, and there has been a significant increase in the last couple years. The latest brand to enter the market is v2, Australia’s leading plant-based brand. And they’ve just launched some ready-to-eat products.
I’m definitely a meat-eater through and through, but I’m always curious! I got ahold of some v2 and tried it out with some friends. But first, a bit more info about v2.
About v2
v2 launched in Australia in January 2019. Then via collaboration with Hungry Jack’s, they launched the Rebel Whopper at over 400 stores across the country. It’s now a staple in Australian supermarkets. They make sausages, burger patties, mince, and ready-to-eat products.
Their MO is to have their product “cook like meat and taste like meat.”
Meat is a nutritional powerhouse, and v2 has basically copied the nutritional components of meat, ensuring it contains high protein and dietary fiber.
It’s made with soybeans for protein, plant fiber, sunflower oil for juiciness, coconut fat to give it a sizzle, and beetroot juice for color. As for taste, they work with CSIRO, an Australian government agency responsible for scientific research that’s a top 10 ranked research institute with 100 years of expertise and 2,500 scientists. Together with CSIRO and University of Nottingham, v2 has designed their own IP flavor precursor system to generate meat flavors when cooked. Flavor mapping via science!
The result is a protein-rich meat alternative with zero cholesterol that’s high in fiber. Additionally, it’s non-GMO, has no trans-fat, and no artificial preservatives or coloring.
I’ve tried quite a few plant-based products, but this one takes the cake, especially for it’s texture and flavor. I tried the mince, burger patties, and meatballs, too. It has a nice “meaty” chew, cooks well (gets a nice char and holds well), and isn’t as salty as other plant-based meats I’ve tried in Shanghai.
v2 Ready-To-Eat
v2 has just launched a line of ready-to-eat products in collaboration with Nicola Coppi. He’s an Italian chef who’s been in China for the last 20 years with a namesake brand of ready-to-eat products that’s available in supermarkets around the country.
There are three ready-to-eat meals with v2: lasagna, sausage roll, and spaghetti bolognese. All of which are extremely easy to prepare—either in the microwave or oven.
I asked a couple friends (vegans and meat eaters) to help me taste test them and to get some well-rounded feedback.
Lasagna: Great flavor, and the serving size is definitely sufficient for one. The pasta along the edges can be a bit gummy, though. You can cook it in the oven directly in the foil tray or re-plate it and microwave. Though, this isn’t vegan—there’s cheese. I opted for the oven, which melts the cheese quite nicely.
Sausage Roll: The pastry is flaky and buttery, despite not containing any butter! The sausage filling also has bits of vegetables, and isn’t as dense as it looks. The texture is pretty good, but it could use with a touch more flavor, perhaps spices and additional seasoning.
Spaghetti Bolognese: Great flavor, and excellent pasta texture. It comes in a microwave-safe container that’s convenient for those who want to have it as an office meal. Surprisingly, after a six-minute spin in the microwave and a couple more minutes for photos, the pasta texture held up—a nice bite to the noodles and not at all overcooked. This was certainly the most favored out of the three.
Unanimously it’s a pretty tasty meat alternative. The star is definitely the pasta.
From my vegan friend’s perspective, the pasta is most likely something that he’d indulge in, especially for a quick, easy meal.
The spices could be punchier, especially for the sausage roll, but it’s something I wouldn’t mind in my freezer as an emergency midnight snack.
For those who don’t cook or don’t have the time to do so, the pasta and lasagna are good meal options. That’s especially so for those practicing plant-based diets. If you’re open to the idea of trying plant-based, this could be a start.
As someone who likes to cook, I also managed to try v2’s other products, which I found quite versatile. However, I’ll save those recipes for next time.
Plant-based meats are definitely not the equivalent of meat. However, meat eaters might find themselves surprised at v2’s flavor and versatility—I know I was. As long as its more easily available and affordably priced, you can find plenty of ways to integrate it into meals. From a sustainability perspective, v2 also creates 97% less carbon footprint than beef mince. Does some good for the planet, right?
Try It Out
v2 has just launched these ready-to-eat products and they’re doing a big promo: Get 50% off on your second purchase; free shipping for orders over ¥88.
Scan the QR code to access the mini-program to shop!
