At this year’s International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Impossible Foods Inc. — the company that introduced us to the Impossible Burger in 2016 — debuted the Impossible Burger 2.0, a “tastier, juicier, and more nutritious” version of what skyrocketed the company to fame. The original Impossible Burger, which has no meat in it whatsoever, mimics cooked meat by searing and “bleeding.” After scattered distribution around the country, it grew in popularity as more and more restaurants began offering the vegan option in place of meat or other vegetarian patties.
Want to know more about the first iteration of the Impossible Burger? Check out The Manual’s take on the meatless patty here. (Spoiler alert: We were fans.)
Since its initial launch, the team behind the Impossible Burger worked with consumers to identify the best and worst parts of the fake meat in order to make it better. The resulting product, Impossible Burger 2.0, contains 30 percent less sodium and 40 percent less saturated fat than the current recipe and just as much protein as 80/20 ground beef, all the while being tastier and juicier than the first version.
One of the big reasons for the change, according to the company, was versatility in the kitchen. Impossible Burger 2.0 was created to be more than a burger. Need a good vegan chili? Done. Protein-packed vegan lasagna? Boom.
To accomplish this task, Impossible Burger was altered in three key ways. First, soy protein was swapped in for wheat protein. This creates a heartier (“beefier”) patty with a higher level of “protein quality” and a little bit of dietary fiber. The company also added methylcellulose, which is “a plant-based culinary binder commonly found in ice cream, sauces, and jams. Methylcellulose makes the new recipe juicer, and easier to handle — whether raw or cooked.” Sunflower oil was also added, reducing the amount of saturated fat in the burger.
Those looking to try the new Impossible Burger 2.0 will most likely have to wait until February 4, when the company launches the new product in the 5,000 locations that carry the brand. Up until February 4, the only location you’ll be able to try the new formula is at, of all places, White Castle. Not some high-end burger gastropub that only the richest of the rich get into. White Castle. The tiny burger joint that inspired multiple weed-needed-to-enjoy movies.
However, our brother site, Digital Trends, was able to taste test the Impossible Burger 2.0 at CES. (Spoiler alert: It was delicious.)
Once it does launch, however, you’ll be able to find where you can try an Impossible Burger 2.0 on this map. One of our choices is Umami Burger, the chain with 22 locations in the U.S. and abroad that’s been said by many to have the best burger in the country. In July 2018, Umami Burger signed a contract with Impossible Burger, making it chain’s exclusive plant-based burger at all locations in the U.S. Since they started carrying the original Impossible Burger, they’ve created multiple flavors that offer customers different delicious takes on the vegan patty.
Want to learn more about the technology and electronics being debuted at CES? Check out the complete coverage from our brother site, Digital Trends.
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