South Korean researchers have developed a new protein-rich food in the laboratory that could potentially replace traditional meat production. This new food, dubbed “beef rice,” imitates the taste of meat and is pink in color. To create beef rice, researchers grew real beef cells inside of a grain of rice. This marks the first time that animal cells have been successfully cultured inside a grain of rice, according to Professor Jinkee Hong of Yonsei University in Seoul.
This new development is part of a trend towards lab-grown meat alternatives. Hong’s team believes that rice production leaves a smaller carbon footprint than traditional beef production, making beef rice a potentially more environmentally friendly option. They hope that beef rice could become a competitive product in the meat market.
While beef rice may not be the first lab-grown meat alternative to hit the market, its unique combination of real beef cells and rice as a culture medium sets it apart from other products. Researchers are optimistic about the potential of beef rice to provide a sustainable and ethically sourced meat alternative for consumers.