A new plant-based bitterbal was launched on Tuesday during the national conference of the Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG). More than 2500 mayors and aldermen from all over the Netherlands were the first to taste the new ‘protein ball’ during a drink at the Groningen Zernike Campus and at the Nieuwe Markt in Groningen.
The snack is a healthier and more sustainable alternative to the regular bitterbal and is the result of a collaborative project between various Groningen institutions and municipalities. The ‘protein ball’ or ‘protein ball’, according to the makers, originated on ‘the innovation tables’ of the Groningen Campus, but should eventually end up on the drinks board nationwide.
With the protein-rich snack, the makers hope to have found a ‘beautiful and tasty way’ to switch from animal to vegetable proteins. The protein ball has a crispy crust of pumpkin seeds and is packed with potatoes, grain and field beans from Groningen. According to a spokesman for the Groningen Campus, the taste of the beans is what sticks. “You should really see it as a new vegetarian snack, it is not made to imitate the bitterbal.”
Snack of the future
However, the taste is not decisive for everyone. “It is important to me that the ball comes from Groningen. Food is also emotion”, says Erich Wünker, alderman for Economic Affairs of the municipality of Oldambt.
His colleague Kirsten de Wrede, alderman for protein transition of the municipality of Groningen, shares his opinion. ,,I am very proud that we have developed this protein ball in Groningen.” According to De Wrede, the launch is not only of value in the region. “This is important for the whole world. We must all move towards a healthier and more sustainable way of growing food.”
Wünker also expects such new forms of food to play an increasingly important role. “This is really an example of the food of the future. More plant-based, more sustainable and healthier.”
In the near future, further work will have to be done on the development and market introduction of the plant-based snack, says the spokesperson for the Groningen Campus. “The intention is that we will eventually introduce the protein ball nationally, but of course we remain proud that the snack comes from Groningen.”
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