10 categories of plant-based products are available in A-NZ
We have identified these categories for plant-based products in Aotearoa New Zealand supermarkets and through other suppliers (incl. fast food chains):
These categories will help us when we identify motivators and barriers for consumer engagement with plant-based products.
Alternative products are made from a wide range of sources
Plant-based products are made using hemp, lentils, quinoa, brown rice, buckwheat, oats, peas, beans, nuts and soy.
Yeast, mushroom and algal proteins (e.g., spirulina and chlorella) can also be found in the ingredients list of alternative products. Although they are technically not plants, we are still interested in them as a future food.
Plant-based products fall into 3 categories of processing
Alternative products can be
- minimally,
- moderately or
- highly processed.
A product that uses the whole plant or components of it is minimally processed. Plant milks fall into the second category. Meat mimics are an example of highly processed products.
Meat hybrids are another form of alternative products
In some instances, plant-based ingredients are combined with animal-based proteins. These proteins can come from eggs or whey. This process helps create products that look and taste like meat or meat-related products. We call them meat hybrids.
Dr. Maheeka Weerawarna, 8 June 2021