NECTAR unveils Taste of the Industry 2025, highlights key areas for plant-based meat improvement

Protein Production Team | March 12, 2025

NECTAR, a non-profit dedicated to accelerating the protein transition through taste, has launched Taste of the Industry 2025, claimed to be the most comprehensive publicly available dataset on plant-based meat sensory evaluation. The study, which assessed 122 plant-based products across 14 categories, provides a detailed analysis of how these products compare to their animal-based counterparts in flavor, texture, and overall consumer appeal.

While the findings confirm that taste remains a barrier to mainstream adoption, they also reveal significant progress. Twenty plant-based products were rated as good as or better than their conventional equivalents by at least 50% of participants. Texture was identified as the biggest challenge, with the data suggesting that further improvements in this area could substantially close the gap between plant-based and traditional meat.

“Our comprehensive research confirms that taste remains a decisive factor in driving mainstream adoption of plant-based meats,” said Caroline Cotto, Director of NECTAR. “By publicizing rigorous sensory data and recognizing exceptional products, we’re giving alternative protein innovators the roadmap they need to accelerate market adoption and meaningful climate impact.”

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