Hamburg, September 2026 – The new plant-based consumer generation goes its own way. This target group is all about enjoyment, and plant-based doesn’t have to look like meat or milk to spark their excitement. With the new Culinary Balls from Planteneers, plant-based products get a whole new culinary identity. Instead of imitating familiar animal products, this new concept puts the interplay of flavors and textures at center stage. Up to three components – base, filling, and coating – create multilayered indulgence in a single bite. A juicy or soft base is combined with an aromatic filling and a crispy coating. Each layer delivers its own sensory experience. “The special appeal comes from the contrast – crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, with a creamy filling” says Dr. Pia Meinlschmidt, Head of Product Management at Planteneers. “Multilayered textures are seeing continued growth in the confectionery space, and the same principle is increasingly also interesting for savory products.”
Flavor Variety
The concept offers plenty of freedom in terms of flavor directions, such as a savory Mediterranean profile with dried tomatoes, black olives, and white beans, or an earthy, nutty combination of beets and walnuts. Sweet-and-savory creations can be made with pumpkin, apricot, curry, and ground ginger. Fermented flavors like pumpkin kimchi are also possible. Sesame, hemp, or chia seeds can provide extra texture in the coating. The light mousse filling contains 40 percent vegetables. It is freeze-thaw and bake-stable, making it suitable for a range of applications, including fillings and spreads. Another advantage of the Culinary Balls is the way they combine special sensory experiences with clean label*, high protein, and fiber.
Hybrid Kebab Balls With Spicy Vegetable Cream
The interplay of different components and textures can also be applied to hybrid products, as the Kebab Balls demonstrate. They combine beef or chicken with mushrooms and meat protein. A functional system from Planteneers consisting of pea protein and fiber provides the ideal texture. Kebab seasoning delivers authentic flavor. These hybrid Kebab Balls can be made with and without filling.
Culinary Balls can be cooked in an air fryer and eaten hot or cold. They’re ideal for office lunch breaks, on the go, or at home, whether for sharing occasions, as a mini-meal or as part of modern convenience offerings. They thus meet consumers’ rising expectations regarding variety and smaller portions, especially for the growing number of single-person and senior households. They also address the trend toward health-conscious eating, allowing manufacturers to highlight benefits such as clean label formulations, protein, and fiber content on packaging.
*Planteneers defines “clean label” and “without additives” as recipes that contain no declarable E-numbers and completely avoid certain additives such as preservatives, flavor enhancers or even added flavors. The recipes can contain natural flavors or spice blends.
Photos available here:
https://mediastock.stern-wywiol-gruppe.de/share/974BFEF1-6FFD-4DB2-B1C77DF3765A3EDE/
PRESS RELEASE Planteners_New Generation of Plant-based Foods