At first glance, a veteran Burger King customer could tell the difference between the Impossible Whopper and the original Whopper.
Side by side, it is clear that the original has a more mulchy, uneven texture, while the Impossible Whopper is more smooth and uniform — a common tell in plant-based burgers.
In terms of size and toppings, however, the two burgers are remarkably similar. Had I simply started devouring my burger instead of taking a peek inside the patty first, I may not have noticed the difference.
Before testing the Impossible Whopper, I decided it was wise to revisit the original.
The Whopper is a fast-food industry icon, distinguishing itself from other chains' signature burgers with its wide and flat patty, as well as its char-grilled preparation.
The patty has a slightly watery umami flavor, which is nicely cut by the pickles and onion.
The Whopper's meaty aftertaste — coupled with an oniony tang — lingers long after the burger is complete.
Having reestablished the Whopper's flavor profile firmly in my mind, I turned my attention to the Impossible Whopper.
If I did not realize that the Impossible Whopper was a plant-based burger, I would not have guessed it from my first bite. It tastes like a "real" burger.
The Impossible Whopper replicated the Whopper's char, down to the grill marks on the burger's patty.
However, there are clear differences between the Impossible Whopper and the real thing.
The Impossible Whopper has a nuttier flavor, compared to the original's mulchy meatiness.
In terms of texture, the original Whopper is lumpier and chewier. The Impossible Whopper's patty features sharp, browned edges in a way that would be impossible to replicate in a meat-based burger.
The original Whopper's flavor is also simply stronger than that of the Impossible Whopper.
While the beef patty's aftertaste lingers, the plant-based patty blends into the burger's toppings.
However, the differences should not negate the tastiness of the Impossible Whopper. It is certainly distinguishable from the original Whopper — but it isn't necessarily the lesser burger.
The Impossible Whopper has a more subtle flavor that impressively replicates the experience of eating a meat-based burger. It feels like less of a gut-punch than many fast-food burgers.
In fact, I only finished one of the two burger halves — and the leftovers were from the original Whopper.
Whopper loyalists may want to stick with the original burger, but for people craving an environmentally friendly option, the Impossible Whopper is a solid choice.
And, some people who aren't Whopper super-fans may even find they prefer the plant-based burger.
