Chapter 1
The rise of protein-maxxing
Chapter 2
Microbes on the menu: precision fermentation
Chapter 3
The fungal frontier: mycelium and mycoprotein
Chapter 4
Plant power 2.0: re-engineering the classics
Ch 4 · Plant power 2.0: re-engineering the classics
alicecooks High-Moisture Extrusion
Unfold and align, unfold and align, heat and water make it bite like meat.
Glossary
mycelium (noun)
The vegetative part of a fungus, consisting of a network of thread-like filaments. In 2026, Colorado startup Meati uses this fungal network to produce nutrient-dense chicken and beef alternatives.
The vegetative part of a fungus, consisting of a network of thread-like filaments. In 2026, Colorado startup Meati uses this fungal network to produce nutrient-dense chicken and beef alternatives.
Fun Fact
Ancient Roman fuel: Did you know that Roman gladiators regularly ate lupin beans for energy, a high-protein crop that is now a staple of modern low-carb baking?
Quiz
How does the protein yield per acre of duckweed compare to traditional land-grown soybeans?
Quiz
What protein-rich food, developed in ancient China by washing starch out of wheat dough, is also known as wheat gluten?
Quiz
What texture issue, common in early plant-based protein shakes, have modern 2026 processing techniques successfully solved?
Gossip
Which plant-based protein source sounds the most appealing for your next family dinner?
Quiz
Which fast-growing floating aquatic plant, also known as water lentils, can double its biomass in under 48 hours?
Quiz
What specific organic compounds are targeted and broken down by enzymes to remove the bitter, grassy flavor of pea protein?
Quiz
Why is lupin flour highly favored in modern low-carb and keto baking compared to wheat flour?
Quiz
What is the name of the mechanical process that uses heat and pressure to reshape spherical plant proteins into long fibers?
Quiz
Which ancient yellow legume from the Mediterranean naturally contains up to 40 percent protein and almost no starch?
Quiz
What is the natural physical shape of most plant proteins before they are processed into meat alternatives?
Quiz
Which traditional fermented soybean cake, originating in Indonesia, is prized for its firm texture and high protein content?