Elmhurst 1925, the former dairy producer turned plant-based milk brand, has expanded into meat alternatives with the launch of a new plant-based chicken product.
Uniquely, the meat alternative is sold as a dry powder and can be rehydrated using water and oil. A spice blend is added for flavor, and the mixture can then be microwaved to form a plant-based cutlet. The clean-label powder contains just one ingredient, hemp protein, and provides 26g of protein per serving.
The product is sold under the brand name TerraMeat, and is available as a starter kit from the Elmhurst 1925 website.
“It is amazing to work with, it is delicious — one clean ingredient, hemp grain protein,” said Chef Camillo Sabella, who has worked with Elmhurst to create recipes for the chicken alternative. “Unlike other plant-based chicken products on the market that sometimes have 40 or 50 ingredients. Its ability to take on flavors and textures means you can use it in a variety of recipes.”
“A new standard for plant-based foods”
The new chicken alternative addresses one of the most common criticisms directed at plant-based meat products — that they are too processed and have long ingredient lists. This has persisted even though research indicates that not all highly processed foods are harmful and meat alternatives have a good nutritional profile.
A decade-long study in Europe found that a significant shift towards clean-label products is imminent in the food industry, with a huge 99% of manufacturers describing these products as a cornerstone of their business strategy. Companies such as Beyond Meat and Juicy Marbles have updated their recipes to achieve cleaner labels, while some manufacturers are working to develop alternatives to processed ingredients such as methylcellulose.
“At Elmhurst, we’re on a mission to set a new standard for plant-based foods,” said the company on LinkedIn. “So we’re raising the bar for plant-based meat with TerraMeat by giving you the most complete protein from one simple ingredient — hemp protein. Forget ultra-processed alternatives — this is chick’n the way it’s meant to be!”
