The Austrian 3D- and Food-Technology Startup Revo Foods has presented an ultrarealistic plant-based salmon fillet for the first time in a public tasting event at Rooftop Bar ZOKU Vienna on the 30th of May, 2022.
The fillet, which consists of 100% plant-based ingredients, was prepared by a Michelin star chef and evaluated by 10 tasters. The startup has already filed two patents on new technologies to produce plant-based fish products of Generation 2.0. Revo Foods' first salmon fillets will be available in stores in early 2023.
This innovation by the Food-Tech Startup is the first of its kind and can be considered a game-changer for plant-based alternatives. It is a so-called "whole cut ." The fillet resembles the structure and the texture of a conventional salmon fillet and can be prepared (fried, cooked, steamed…) just as traditional salmon.
While the first generation of plant-based alternatives often lacks structure (hamburgers, chicken nuggets), Generation 2.0 products redefine both the eating experience and the global vegan food market. These new products provide a next-level taste and texture through further technological innovation. "It's all about structure and creating the perfect bite." - Robin Simsa, CEO of Revo Foods.
More and more people are classing themselves as flexitarians to obtain a more sustainable diet. Flexitarians make up roughly 20% of the European population, and the demand for plant-based alternatives is rapidly growing.
Also, industrial fishing has an image problem: Overfishing, destroying marine ecosystems, and losing ocean biodiversity are just some of them. Many consumers are deeply concerned about the dramatic increase of heavy metals, microplastics, and antibiotics in conventional seafood products. Flexitarians are looking for sustainable alternatives that are good for the ocean and their own health and provide the longed-for eating experience in taste and "bite."
"The structure is almost "too perfect." Are you sure this is vegan?" one of the guests quoted. The fillet base is various plant-protein sources, such as pea proteins. Other ingredients include algae extracts and plant oils. The fillet has a high protein and omega-3 fatty acid content, similar to wild-caught salmon.
Plant-based fish sticks or fish burgers have been available on the market for some time, but finding an alternative for a fish fillet is the next level. The fillet was served with asparagus and hollandaise sauce and prepared by chef Siegfried Kröpfl who had previously cooked for Queen Elizabeth II (at Harbour Castle in Toronto).
Revo Foods is working with 3D Printing Technology to develop its alternative seafood products. Besides the Revo Smoked Salmon, the startup is known for its annual block parties and collaborations with street artists for its package designs.
Their first products (Smoked Salmon Alternatives) are already available in 16 European countries, including supermarkets in Austria and Germany. Recently, the startup received 2.2 Mill EUR in equity-free grant funding from the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) to advance its 3D printing technology.