Episode 3: Shuman Liu – R&D Director, Starfield

If you listen to this episode while eating, consider a plant-based meal. Join us as we explore the current market for plant-based meat alternatives adapted to the Chinese palate. Shuman Liu, Research & Development Director at Starfield, takes us through the origin of China’s “Beyond Meat” equivalent. Shuman, a trained sociologist and anthropologist, became vegetarian while in Hong Kong and has made it her life mission to promote healthy and eco-friendly diets. Learn about Starfield’s current product line-up and expansion strategy, from selling to Western brands like KFC to Chinese brands like XiBei, to the types of plant proteins being used. Starfield is currently developing chicken analogs and researching new plant proteins like chickpea, hemp and spirulina.