Debuting several years ago at a European trade show, the texture is actual raised and recessed.  The process happens at the slicer, where serrated knives and pressure bars are used as the veneer is being sliced.

In this example, we see randomly matched oak with diagonal texture.  We also see a few character marks mixed in, and if you notice, there is a center line book match, with two leaves slipped out left and right.  Even though the individual leaves are randomly matched, the appearance of the texture running the same direction gives the impression the leaves are wider from the book match line out.