Among the latest heavyweight suppliers to tap into the burgeoning plant-based movement is Hormel Ingredient Solutions (under Hormel Foods). The US-based manufacturer has launched a new line of plant-based meat crumbles available to food manufacturers across its home market. Powered by pea protein, the new plant-based offerings include fully cooked crumbles and uncooked ground products, with the former available in options ranging from traditional and Italian, to breakfast and Chorizo-style flavors.

“These new products are designed to help food manufacturers incorporate more plant-based foods into their offerings for the growing number of consumers interested in adding these items to their diets,” says Paul Sheehan, Director of Sales for Hormel Ingredient Solutions.

Hormel Foods designed these versatile plant-based options in convenient forms and flavors in order to make them easily adaptable to any application or meal occasion as an additional source of protein or as a substitution for other kinds.

Hormel’s chorizo crumbles bring the spice of poblano peppers to any application, with an enticing taste that’s bursting with tangy hot pepper flavor.

With notes of onion, natural smoke, crushed red pepper and garlic, Hormel Ingredient Solutions’ traditional crumbles feature a bold, versatile flavor that is formulated to match well with most applications. Meanwhile, the supplier’s Italian-style crumbles – imbued with notes of fennel, anise and black and red pepper – feature a “bold, recognizable flavor” for pastas, soups and entrées.

For the morning meal occasion, Hormel Food’s breakfast crumbles are infused with savory pepper and mild sage, making them the perfect addition to a delicious scramble or as a staple omelet ingredient. For the lunch category, it offers chorizo crumbles that “bring the spice of poblano peppers to any application, with an enticing taste that’s bursting with tangy hot pepper flavor.”

Also on offer is the ingredient specialist’s traditional ground plant-based meat analog, which is adaptable to any hand-formed creation like patties or loaves. It features hints of onion, natural smoke, crushed red pepper and garlic.

“The bottom line is that people want to add more plants to their diet, but they also want them to taste great,” says Sheehan. “These new items allow food manufacturers to explore how easy it is to add the power of plant-based ingredients to a variety of applications.”

Plant-based innovation in food and beverages continues to flourish as a result of consumer interest in health, sustainability and ethics, which ties into the broader consumer lifestyle trend towards cleaner living. As such, Innova Market Insights has pegged “The Plant-based Revolution” as its second Top Trend for 2020, taking product development to the next level.