Slovenian start-up Juicy Marbles is making waves in the food and beverage industry with its groundbreaking development: Plant-based ‘Bone-In’ Ribs, featuring unique ‘edible vegan bones’. This innovative product is created primarily from plant protein, offering consumers an entirely new dining experience. Once the plant-based ribs are consumed, the bones can be transformed into crispy snacks through baking, frying, or air-frying. Remarkably, these ribs contain as much protein as beef jerky.
Co-founder Vladimir Mićković emphasizes that Juicy Marbles aims not only to replicate the appearance of meat but also to recreate the entire eating experience and nutritional profile. What sets the start-up apart from others in the plant-based market is its focus on raw, plant-based meat analogues. Utilizing their proprietary Meat-o-Matic Reverse Grinder 9000, the start-up meticulously aligns and layers plant-based fibers to mimic the texture and marbling of animal meat.
The ingredients used by Juicy Marbles in their products include soy and wheat protein, unsaturated sunflower seed oil, beetroot coloring, and natural flavors and aromas. In the case of the new ribs, soy protein forms the base. Co-founder Mićković highlights that these innovative plant-based ribs require only 15-20 minutes to prepare, significantly less time than traditional animal-based ribs.
The inspiration behind Juicy Marbles’ plant-based ribs and bones stems from a shared nostalgia for the primal pleasure of eating ribs and the desire for more food culture-friendly plant-based options. Additionally, Juicy Marbles offers a variety of plant-based products, including whole-cut loin marbled with sunflower oil and a plant-based filet mignon.
Mićković explains the significance of choosing ribs as their next product, emphasizing that the experience of meat extends beyond its flavor. Meat is deeply rooted in cultural traditions and evokes feelings of celebration, camaraderie, and belonging. By creating plant-based ribs, Juicy Marbles aims to capture the primal joys of sharing food and allow those reducing their meat consumption to still partake in cultural traditions.
The inclusion of ‘edible vegan bones’ takes Juicy Marbles’ meat mimicry to an exciting new level. Co-founder Mićković describes the enjoyment that comes from consuming bones, such as eating with one’s hands, tearing off chunks of meat, and sharing the experience with others. The process of developing these edible bones was not only enjoyable but also provided an opportunity to challenge the concept of bones themselves and make them useful.
While scaling the production may present challenges, Mićković points out that the process is labor-intensive but not unexpected. Over time, automation can be implemented to streamline production, much like how the process evolved for their other products. Juicy Marbles plans to launch the prototype ‘Bone-In’ product in the EU, UK, and US at the end of the month. Price parity may take time due to ribs being a cheaper cut of meat; however, the release of a semi-early prototype allows for valuable feedback and collaboration with consumers.
In conclusion, Juicy Marbles’ revolutionary Plant-based ‘Bone-In’ Ribs, featuring edible vegan bones, showcases their commitment to redefining the plant-based food industry. Through their focus on raw, plant-based meat analogues and unique production techniques, the start-up is transforming the way people experience and consume plant-based alternatives. With their upcoming product launch, Juicy Marbles aims to further engage with consumers and shape the future of plant-based dining.
