schmeat
noun

- a meat substitute grown from a cell culture and not from a live animal (combination of ‘sheet’ and ‘meat’ referring to the sheet-like material resulting from large scale production).

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ORIGIN

The origins of “schmeat” are uncertain, but it was mentioned by Lou Bendrick in a column titled “Meet Shmeat” in the environmental magazine Grist in December 5, 2008.

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PAST & FUTURE

Meat substitution has a long history. Tofu, a popular meat analogue made from soybeans, was known in China during the period of the Western Han dynasty (206 BC to 24 AD). A document written by Tao Gu (903–970) describes how tofu was called “small mutton” and valued as an imitation meat. Meat analogues such as tofu and wheat gluten are associated with Buddhist cuisine in China and other parts of East Asia.

In Medieval Europe, meat analogues were popular during the Christian observance of Lent (Fastenzeit), when the consumption of meat is forbidden.

In the 2010s, concerns over global warming, overpopulation, and the ethics of industrial farming led to major investments by companies like ‘Impossible Foods’ and ‘Beyond Meat’. The substitute meat sector is forecast to be $140 billion by 2029.

Meat analogues became particularly important in the American diet during the COVID-19 pandemic, when purchases dramatically increased. The book 'The End of Animal Farming' by Jacy Reese Anthis argues that plant-based food and cultured meat will completely replace animal-based food by 2100.

SOURCES:

Christine DuBois et al - 'The World of Soy' (2008)
E.N. Anderson - 'China, Food in Time and Place' (2014)
Heidi Chung - 'Food giant Kellogg’s unveils ‘Incogmeato’ plant-based products' (2020)

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SYNONYMS

- test-tube meat, in-vitro meat, cultured meat, vat-grown meat, hydroponic meat, meat analogues, meat alternatives, SCHMEAT, imitation meat, faux meat, fake meat, mock meat, vegan meat, victimless meat

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Practice OWAD in an English conversation, say something like:

“Are you noticing increasing interest in meat-substitutes in your country? I just stumbled across the word SCHMEAT.”

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Paul Smith