This is not an April Fools’ hoax.
Burger King announced on Monday that is testing out a meatless Whopper, becoming one of the first national quick-service restaurants to sell the plant-based burger, according to the company.
The Impossible Whopper, as it will be known, will include a vegetarian patty created by the start-up Impossible Foods. The plant-based patty can be found in 59 locations in and around St. Louis.
If it’s successful, it could be coming to a fast food restaurant near you.
Silicon Valley-based Impossible Foods genetically engineers heme, a protein that comes from the roots of soy plants that makes plant-based foods taste like meat.
If you’ve never had a Whopper, it comes with lettuce, tomato, pickle and onion toppings along with ketchup and mayonnaise.
The “Impossible Whopper” | Courtesy Burger King Corp.
Burger King Corp.
In January, Carl’s Jr. added plant-based meat products to its menu and White Castle began selling a slider version dubbed the “Impossible burger” in select stores in 2018.
The reaction to the vegan burger offering has been mixed.
“I gotta give @BurgerKing credit. ‘Whopper’ is defined as ‘an extravagant lie’ so going with the whole #ImpossibleWhopper campaign on April 1st seems like a perfect fit so why not?” writes Twitter user @MattisonAve12.
“This is a crime against the food universe,” writes Twitter user @Jakemlewis.
“I’m not a vegetarian or vegan, but I 100% support the Impossible Whopper (assuming it’s real).” writes Twitter user @nowaitstop_.
Dalvin Brown, USA TODAY
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