I went to Taco Bell's test kitchen and tried its new plant-based protein. It was one of the best fas

• Taco Bell is testing a new plant-based protein in Alabama made of soy and peas.
• I tried it in the new crispy melt taco at Taco Bell headquarters in Irvine, California.
• The meat substitute is slightly spicy and has the perfect texture.

I visited Taco Bell's California headquarters in August, where I got the chance to sample a plant-based protein on the new crispy melt taco.

The crispy melt taco can be purchased with either classic beef or the plant-based protein, so the Taco Bell team presented them to me head to head to see if I could tell the difference.

The taco comes with a fried white corn tortilla, three kinds of shredded cheese, nacho cheese sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream.

I could tell a difference between the tacos, but it wasn't the plant-based one that was inferior.

The plant-based protein wasn't meant to be indistinguishable from Taco Bell's signature beef, but "equally cravable," according to Taco Bell's director of global nutrition & sustainability Missy Schaaphok.

The protein, which is made of a soy and pea blend, was a bit spicier than Taco Bell's usual beef, with a little more of a kick.

It is certified vegan by the American Vegetarian Association, though I'm not a vegan so I enjoyed it with cheese and sour cream.

Taco Bell also let me sample this new protein on Nachos Bellgrande, where it added a pleasant extra dimension of flavor to the classic nacho format.

The protein can be substituted into anything on the menu, so I also tried it on one of my personal favorites, the Crunchwrap Supreme.

It reminded me of something between regular beef and chorizo, because of the moist texture and layers of flavor.

I was really impressed with the plant-based dishes, which Taco Bell says is the latest innovation following tests of the Cravetarian pea and chickpea protein last year.

Source: Insider

Insider's Brittany Chang wasn't impressed by the Cravetarian protein at the time, but Taco Bell seems to have taken the last year to up its in-house plant-based recipes.

The Taco Bell team is clearly thinking about other ways to use these new flavors and suggested we try off-menu options like the new protein and a spicy potato taco.

I think the new dish adds another layer of dimension to Taco Bell's available flavors, and it could work really well in other combinations, like with black beans.

The fried white corn tortilla was also a great addition, and I'd happily try other Taco Bell concoctions in the shell.

The chain is pursuing plant-based proteins on several fronts, with a Beyond Meat collaboration coming by the end of the year.

Plant-based menu items have had mixed results in fast food.

The Impossible Whopper reportedly boosted Burger King's sales, but the McDonald's US McPlant test concluded without any concrete plans for a nationwide expansion.

Source: Insider, CNBC

KFC, Del Taco, Starbucks, and other major chains have launched their own plant-based menu items, primarily through collaborations with Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat.

Taco Bell has long been known as the fast food destination for vegans and vegetarians thanks to bean and potato options.

In 2019, Taco Bell North America president Julie Felss Masino publicly said that the chain was relying on its own vegetarian options instead of creating new plant-based meat substitutes.

Source: CNBC

Clearly, the chain's thinking has changed. After this taste test, I'm excited to see what other plant-based dishes Taco Bell will come up with, and I'd definitely order it again.

I didn't expect to have one of the best fast food meals of my West Coast trip and my life, but I did.

For now, the crispy melt taco and new protein are only available at select Birmingham, Alabama locations until they run out.

Do you have a story to share about a retail or restaurant chain? Email this reporter at mmeisenzahl@businessinsider.com.

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