Steak

Steak is the kind of meat substitute aimed at people who want a center-plate piece rather than a loose mince or burger. By our assessment, that gives it a clearer job than many plant-based products, because it promises a familiar shape and a more direct cooking role. The downside is also obvious: a substitute steak has to work against the memory of real beef, and that comparison is never flattering if the texture or browning is off. In practice, the category lives or dies on pan heat, seasoning, and whether the slice holds together when turned. It sits between mince-style replacements and pricier whole-cut imitation products, so it matters more as a format than as a single idea. The Astrina catalogue puts Steak under Fleisch-Ersatzprodukte, which is exactly where this kind of item belongs.