HUVUDROLL Plant balls, frozen, Show measurements specifications
Climate-conscious meat lover? The plant ball, made with pea protein, oats, potatoes, onion and apple, has the taste and juicy bite of the meatball – and the climate footprint is just 4% of the original.
Article Number204.835.92SustainabilityPeople and planet
Sustainable life at home
Just as tasty – 4% of the climate footprint
The HUVUDROLL plant ball is the perfect choice for everyone who wants to make a more sustainable choice without losing out on the meaty experience. It has a climate footprint that’s just 4% of the meatball’s, still it looks and tastes like meat. Considering that IKEA sell lots and lots of meatballs a year, converting even just some of them into plant balls has the power to make a change. Have a bite!
Energy and resources
Heavenly flavours from the soil
We would like to inspire more people to eat more plant-based food. Why? Since it generally requires less water, less arable land and less energy to produce – and is therefore a more sustainable alternative. So that you can easily make sustainable choices in everyday life and reduce your climate footprint, our restaurant, bistro and Swedish food market all offer various plant-based alternatives. And one more thing – this food from the soil is also heavenly tasty!
A plant ball for meat lovers (and for everyone else)
For the first time since the launch in 1985, the much-loved IKEA meatball faces serious competition. The new plant ball is made with pea protein, oats, potatoes, apples and onion, but has the look, taste and juicy bite of a meatball. And not only that; the climate footprint is a mere 4% of its meaty counterpart.
When product developer Sabrina Anania-Stepanian first got the assignment, the mission was straight forward – and mega challenging. She was to develop the icon product of the future: a plant-based ball that tastes and feels like a meatball. The first prototype needed to be ready in just six months.
New flavours in a classic shape
Sustainability was also a reason to create new options. “With the veggie ball we wanted to offer something as appreciated as the classic meatball, but plant-based and with less environmental impact,” explains David. Next came the salmon and cod ball. It contains pieces of salmon that are too small to be used as whole fillets. “And since it’s very tasty meat, we thought, why not make delicious fish balls of it instead?” says David.
Recreating the meatball without meat
The newest edition to the family is the plant ball. It’s made with pea protein, potatoes, apple, oats and onion, but has the great taste and juicy bite of a meatball – making it perfect for everyone who wants to cut down on meat without losing out on the experience. With a climate footprint that is just 4% of the meatball’s, the plant ball has the power to make a difference. “A lot has happened since 1985. Now, there are eatable IKEA icons for more of the many people. No matter if you’re flexitarian, vegan, meat lover, have dietary needs or cultural preferences.”
Based on pea protein
Sabrina and her team threw themselves into an intense exploration phase, visiting suppliers across the world. “The first step was to look into alternative protein sources. We quickly decided that we didn’t want to go for soy since there are environmental downsides to the cultivation. Eventually, we decided on pea protein.”
The perfect meaty taste and texture
There’s a science to extracting protein from vegetables. So, Sabrina and her co-workers finished their research and partnered up with experts in the field. Next came the more hands-on development. “We first looked at getting the texture just right, then at achieving the right taste. We had several development sessions and tastings before we were happy”, says Sabrina.
4% of the meatball’s climate footprint
It’s fair to say that the plant ball is about old meeting new; traditional Scandinavian raw ingredients like potatoes, onion, apple and oats meet modern protein extraction methods. With a climate footprint that’s just 4% of the meatball’s, the plant ball is a great alternative for everyone who wants to cut down on meat without losing out on the experience. “I hope everyone will love it, even the sceptics, simply because it’s so delicious."
Function solution
Try a super savoury, Scandi-inspired plant ball
Can pea protein, oats, potatoes, onion and apple feel and taste like meat? Yes! The HUVUDROLL plant ball is based on these five traditional, Scandinavian ingredients – beefed up by natural flavouring and balanced by mushroom, tomato, lemon, black pepper and more. Still, it’s got the look, taste and juicy texture of a meatball. Plant balls go perfectly with classic meatball friends, or why not try them in a curry, or served with kimchi or grains. Have a bite!