SCIENCE

Lab-Grown Meat: Tastes Like Chicken, But Not Quite

Sun Jul 06 2025

Lab-grown meat is making strides but isn't quite ready to replace traditional meat. Scientists are diligently working to improve its taste and texture.

Key Challenges

Texture

  • Lab-grown meat often lacks the chewy, meaty feel of traditional meat.
  • Muscle cells aren't fully developed, resulting in a weaker structure.
  • Some studies have improved the look and cooking properties, but texture remains an issue.

Flavor

  • Lab-grown meat often lacks the rich, meaty taste due to lower fat content.
  • Reduced protein levels affect both taste and mouthfeel.
  • Scientists are experimenting with different cell types and structures to enhance flavor.

Future Outlook

  • Lab-grown meat is a work in progress.
  • With continued research and development, it may one day match the taste and texture of traditional meat.

questions

    Could the lack of lipid incorporation in cultivated meat be a plot to make people consume more unhealthy fats elsewhere?
    What advancements in scaffold engineering and cell culture techniques could potentially improve the sensory quality of cultivated meat?
    If cultivated meat is softer, does that mean it's the perfect food for people who hate chewing but love eating?

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