Mission Barns is betting that animal-free pork fat will make artificial meat delicious

Mission Barns, a food technology startup, has developed an animal-free pork fat that aims to enhance the taste and texture of plant-based meat alternatives. This product is the first of its kind to reach the market, potentially unlocking new possibilities for creating more realistic and appealing meat-free options. The company has genetically engineered yeast to produce the pork fat, which can then be combined with plant-based proteins to mimic the mouthfeel and flavor of traditional meat products. This innovation addresses a key challenge in the plant-based meat industry, as replicating the richness and mouthfeel of animal fats has proven difficult. By incorporating this animal-free pork fat, Mission Barns hopes to make plant-based meat alternatives more palatable and appealing to consumers, potentially driving wider adoption of these sustainable food options. The development of this technology represents a significant step forward in the ongoing efforts to create meat-free products that can closely match the experience of conventional meat.