Fungi-Based Calamari Fries to Hit the U.S. Market This Year
The animal-free calamari is the first commercial food product from alt-seafood startup, Aqua Cultured Foods.
Credit: Aqua Cultured Foods
Food tech startup Aqua Cultured Foods has unveiled its first commercial product made from mycoprotein fermentation: calamari fries. The animal-free product will be available in breaded and seasoned options through Aqua’s strategic partners in the United States later this year.
The Chicago-based, alt-seafood startup uses fermentation technology to produce fungi-based mycoprotein in a process similar to how beer is created. This method delivers whole-muscle cut, sushi-quality seafood alternatives with a realistic appearance, taste, and texture, all while removing the need to slaughter animals.
To refine the formula for the alt-protein calamari fries, Aqua collaborated with esteemed chef and restauranter, Johnny Carino, who helped to perfect the product’s realistic texture and preparation.
“As you bite in, you get an immediate crunch note that combines with the realistic, slightly chewy texture of the calamari,” said Carino. “It looks and acts like calamari. There was no learning curve as you’d expect with a completely new product or ingredient.”
Credit: Aqua Cultured Foods
In a single, 100 gram serving, the calamari alternative contains approximately 80 calories, 15-20 grams of protein and 10-12 grams of fiber. In comparison, a 100 gram serving of traditional calamari contains approximately 90 calories, 16 grams of protein, no fiber. And unlike its squid-based counterpart, the alt-protein product is also free from sodium, saturated fat or cholesterol.
As well as calamari, Aqua is also developing shrimp, scallops, and filets of tuna and whitefish via its fermentation methods. All of the food tech’s products are 100% animal-free and use only GMO-free ingredients.
“We’re moving on an accelerated timeline from the R&D stage to commercialization, and now our focus will be scale-up, strategic alliances, and go-to-market partners such as restaurant chains,” said Aqua CEO Anne Palermo. “Hitting this milestone ahead of schedule is an achievement for the alt-seafood and alt-protein sectors, as well as for us as a company.”
Transforming the Seafood Industry
As investors and innovative brands ramp up efforts to fight ocean destruction, seafood alternative solutions continue to hit the market, with 2022 set to be the year of alt-seafood. U.S. sales of fish-free seafood grew by 23 percent in 2020 and the industry is expected to reach $1.3 billion in the next decade.
Interested in trying plant-based fish but don’t know where to start? Check out Species Unite’s guide to the must-try vegan seafood brands that are available in grocery stores across the U.S.
And to hear more about how vegan seafood is disrupting the food industry, listen to Species Unite chat with Chris Kerr, the Godfather of vegan venture capital and co-founder of Gathered Foods, known for its Good Catch plant-based seafood products.
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