South Korea combats food crisis with 'meaty rice'

Published February 18th, 2024 - 05:50 GMT
South Korea
Yonsei University

ALBAWABA - A recent breakthrough in South Korea has led to the creation of a new type of rice that could potentially address issues of food scarcity and climate change. 

This innovative "meaty" rice, made by scientists at Seoul's Yonsei University, contains beef muscle and fat cells, offering a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional meat production.

The team behind this great creation, led by co-author Park So-hyeon, believes that this protein-rich rice could change the way we consume nutrients. By combining the nutritional benefits of rice with the proteins from livestock cells, this hybrid food source could provide a more affordable and greener option for consumers.

The process involves coating the rice grains with fish gelatine to allow the beef cells to stick to them, resulting in a final product that is higher in protein and fat content compared to regular rice. 

South Korea

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Also, producing this hybrid rice leaves a significantly lower carbon footprint than traditional beef farming methods, making it a more sustainable choice for the environment.

With an estimated cost of $2.23 per kilo, this new rice could offer a cost-effective solution for consumers in South Korea. The research team aims to further refine the production process to maximize the nutritional value of the rice before it becomes available to the public.

Park envisions a bright future for this new food source, seeing its potential use in addressing food shortages, military rations, and even space travel. As the team continues to develop this product, the possibilities for this hybrid rice feel endless.

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