What Is ‘Meaty Rice’? South Korea Develops Hybrid Rice For Sustainable Protein Kick

Sustainable food habit is a trending term in the global food industry. Over the years, we have seen people making mindful shifts to healthy diet choices, intending to reduce carbon footprints significantly. That’s not all. Several scientists are constantly experimenting with revolutionising how the world eats. One such recent revelation is the “meaty rice”, grown in a small laboratory in Seoul. According to a report in the AFP, a team of South Korean scientists is developing a unique rice variety by infusing grains with protein cells, aiming to provide the world with a more sustainable source of protein. The report further reads that the scientists have confirmed that no animals were harmed in the process of creating the dish.

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What Is ‘Meaty Rice’? How Is This Hybrid Rice Made?

The AFP report states that this unique type of rice is prepared by embedding cultured beef cells into individual grains of rice. It is considered an eco-friendly, ethical and sustainable way for people to get their protein. What makes it unique is the faint buttery aroma due to beef muscles and fat cells and the beautiful pink hue.

Speaking about the innovation, the scientists told AFP that by using cultured meat, people can obtain animal protein without “the slaughter of livestock”. Alongside, rice makes a natural and popular source of protein for many people across Asia (and the world).

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Is ‘Meaty Rice’ A Sustainable Source Of Food For Daily Diet?

This unique rice is said to contain around eight per cent more protein and seven per cent more fat than a quintessential grain of rice. However, the scientists explain that currently the process of making ‘meaty rice’ is time-consuming. In fact, one portion of the rice, according to the report, may take up to 11 days to create. Reportedly, scientists are working on scaling up the production process to make the dish more accessible for people.

The report in AFP reads, “The ‘meaty’ rice might have an advantage over some other cultured meat products as it is a hybrid dish made by mixing animal cells with plant material (the rice), making it cheaper and less energy intensive.”

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‘Meaty rice’?

In a small laboratory in Seoul, a team of South Korean scientists are injecting cultured beef cells into individual grains of rice, in a process they hope could revolutionise how the world eatshttps://t.co/XZDCvOTv5Opic.twitter.com/xXbDJmNYPF— AFP News Agency (@AFP) June 17, 2024

Benefits Of ‘Meaty Rice’: Why ‘Meaty Rice’ Is Considered An Ethical Food?

Besides being high in protein and healthy fats, cultured beef cell-infused rice can also lead to a significant reduction in the carbon footprint of protein production by eliminating the need for livestock farming. The AFP report states that scientists estimate that for every 100 grams of protein produced, there can be a release of 6.27 kgs of carbon dioxide, which is around eight times lesser than traditional beef production.

For the uninitiated, South Korea has not yet approved any cultivated meat for consumption, but in 2022, it announced plans to plough millions of dollars into a “food-tech” fund, while separately identifying cell-cultured meat as a priority research area.