Meat production is expensive and environmentally unfriendly. Could vegetarian meat be an alternative? Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging, the IVV in Freising, are working on ways to make meat from plants.

They are developing special processes to make tasty food that’s similar to meat in texture and taste. In an experimental factory, they are using wheat, peas or soy to make as much as 200 kilograms of "surrogate meat” daily. The scientists say they’re satisfied with the product’s texture, but the flavor still needs some work. They are also convinced the environment will profit because raising livestock uses far more water, energy and land.