4th Min read
The alternative protein industry is booming and Spain is no exception to this trend. The country is home to a growing number of startups innovating in a meat-heavy food system. From plant-based chorizo to fermented mycelial meat, meet these Spanish food technicians who are about to change the way we eat.
Source: Novameat
1. Novameat
Novameat is changing food with the help of 3D printing technology. The Barcelona-based startup has already used its technology to create prototypes of entire pattern analogs. It created a vegan steak as well as cell-based meat. The latter is known as the “world’s largest” prototype to date and combines both plant scaffolds with animal cells grown in the laboratory.
Source: Libre Foods
2. Free foods
Libre Foods is also based in Barcelona. It is one of the first European food companies to use fermentation technology. Libre is currently using thread mushrooms in research and development and fermenting them into whole fibrous pieces of meat. According to the company, its process is incredibly sustainable – it uses few resources, has a small carbon footprint and leaves little waste. Steak comes first, but there are plans to cook anything from poultry to seafood.
Source: Heura
3. ivy
Heura hardly needs any introduction. It is not only Spain’s most famous vegan brand, but one of the leading names in Europe and around the world. Since Heura launched its vegan chicken on the market with great fanfare in 2017, Heura has also developed plant-based burgers and meatballs and is now sold in 16 countries. It recently bagged 16 million euros in a new round of financing and plans to use it to expand its range to include vegan pork.
Source: Grins Grins
4. Grin Grin
Grin Grin is another vegan startup in Spain and its range is far and wide. In addition to making meat alternatives, the company has also developed plant-based ice cream, seafood, spices, and cheese, to name a few. Even ready meals like pizza are topped with non-dairy mozzarella.
Source: Biotech Foods
5. Biotech foods
The cell-based player Biotech Foods grows real animal meat without it having to be slaughtered. The startup based in the mountainous Basque Country uses cell farming to grow meat directly from animal cells, without GMOs or animal serum. And it was recently tapped to lead a government-sponsored project dedicated to growing healthier and more sustainable proteins for the country.
Source: Vegan Rolle
6. Vegan role
Rollito Vegano was founded by two activists and doesn’t make vegan burgers or nuggets. Instead, it makes alternatives to Spain’s most popular meat: jamón. Within a few months of opening the store last year, the brand already has a large fan base and its vegan dry ham is flying off the shelves. Instead of pork, Rollito Vegano uses wheat gluten, rice flour, coconut oil and beetroot to make its Iberico.
Source: Flax & Kale
7. Flax & Kale
Spanish restaurant and healthy food brand Flax & Kale recently moved into the alternative protein space. And it decided to make it big with a huge range of 14 plant-based meat products and 31 dairy-free cheese substitutes. Some of them have long been on his menus, such as the famous vegan Gouda or croquettes and meatballs. Soon everything will be available for people to cook at home through the direct-to-consumer website.
Mission statement courtesy of Rollito Vegano.