Talented chefs have turned watermelon into everything from imitation ham to sushi and savory steak, and the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board is showcasing another innovative alternative to meat with The Possible Burger. Chef Will Horowitz created 2018’s viral Watermelon Ham and perfected The Possible Burger which the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board unveiled at the International Fresh Produce Association’s Consumer Connection Conference.
This juicy plant-based burger was made to entice Gen Z, a demographic that's especially passionate about reducing their meat consumption, and it does so by using real, fresh ingredients to make a meatless burger. The Smoked Cantaloupe Burger recipe calls for ingredients like savory and spicy sauces, as well as a barbecue smoker and four to eight hours for marinating, plus another four hours for smoking.
Smoked Cantaloupe Burgers
The Possible Burger is a Meatless Burger Made to Entice Gen Z
Trend Themes
1. Plant-based Meat Alternatives - Smoked cantaloupe burgers are emerging as inventive meat substitutes that appeal to younger, environmentally conscious consumers.
2. Fruit-based Innovations - Creative use of fruits like cantaloupe and watermelon to mimic meat flavors and textures is gaining traction in the food industry.
3. Gen Z Culinary Trends - Generation Z's preference for sustainable, meatless options is driving the development of unique plant-based culinary offerings.
Industry Implications
1. Plant-based Food Industry - The rise of smoked cantaloupe burgers indicates a growing demand in the plant-based food sector for innovative meat alternatives.
2. Agricultural Marketing Boards - Organizations like the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board are playing crucial roles in promoting new uses for traditional produce.
3. Sustainable Food Industry - The creation of meatless burgers from fresh, whole fruits highlights an intersection between sustainability and culinary creativity.