The Swiss startup Nectariss, founded by Richard Splivallo, a professor and truffle expert, is revolutionizing the gastronomic scene with natural truffle flavor concentrates developed using fermentation.
Under the brand NBROSIA, Nectariss’s products are claimed as “the most authentic truffle flavors on the market.” This statement is reflected in NBROSIA’s popularity, which has skyrocketed, with a 300% growth in its B2B customer base and expansion into five European countries and the USA, as reported by EU-Startups.
In an effort to continue pushing the boundaries of flavor innovation, the Nectariss team embarked on a new project funded by the Good Food Institute last year. The research aims to address the flavor limitations of current seafood alternatives by exploring precision fermentation with filamentous fungi and algae to mimic specific seafood flavors.
The Nectariss Method
After discovering that microorganisms present in truffles were responsible for their distinctive flavor and aroma, Splivallo developed the Nectariss Method, an innovative process based on traditional fermentation techniques. The Nectariss Method ferments real truffle fungi and their microbes to obtain their essence more cost-effectively and all year round. After obtaining the flavors, the startup mixes them with coconut oil to make a range of “delicious” concentrates that promise to bring a sensory journey to diners.
The NBROSIA single-origin oils include a white truffle concentrate with the aroma complexity of the Piedmont truffle, a black truffle flavor with the aroma of the Périgord truffle, and l burgundy truffle oil reflecting the characteristics of the Tuber uncinatum truffle.
Meanwhile, the EIT Food Accelerator Network named Nectariss as one of the 10 agrifood startups to watch in 2024.
“With our technology, we can release the aromatic potential of truffles through fermentation and thus supply the market with authentic truffle flavors the whole year round… Our customers shall enjoy authentic truffle flavors while, similarly to wine, learning about flavor differences among truffle sorts,” states Splivallo on the Nectariss website.
