Lucille and Emilie Battafarano, two sisters passionate about gastronomy, applied their artisanal expertise and innovative research to craft a unique, luxurious, but sustainable condiment: a 100% plant-based caviar that they claimed to be the first and only of its kind in the country.
Launched this year under the brand Ancrée, the product is crafted from carefully selected chia seeds from Île-de-France and seaweed from Brittany. The remaining ingredients, such as soy sauce, vinegar, and other condiments, are all-natural options, and the recipe doesn’t include additives or preservatives. The product is not gluten-free.
“Whatever your diet, invite an exceptional sturgeon egg-free product to the table”
The new product is said to offer a refined taste and texture that mimics traditional caviar but without damage to sea life. According to the French startup, the chia seeds give the product a slightly crunchy texture, which, combined with the salty and fish-like taste of seaweed, offers a “memorable taste experience.”
Available in three flavors — Iodized, Tangy, and Truffled — the caviar alternative is described as delicious and perfect for enhancing multiple dishes, from appetizers to desserts. It caters to vegans, flexitarians, and committed gourmets looking for a sustainable alternative to seafood to “anchor new eating habits.”
Sustainble gastronomy
Lucille and Emilie’s mission is to promote French culinary heritage while offering environmentally conscious options. Ancrée’s focus on local production and animal-free products aligns with this vision of a greener future for food.
“The brand overturns the traditional codes of the French aperitif by bringing this exceptional product to the table for a memorable, tasty experience,” Ancrée tells vegconomist.
“Reinvent the French aperitif with this natural, additive- and preservative-free recipe. Whatever your diet, invite an exceptional sturgeon egg-free product to the table,” says the company on its website.
Ancrée is produced near Paris. The full range of plant-based caviar can be purchased on the company’s e-commerce website and in gourmet grocery stores. In addition, the brand regularly participates in exhibitions, food fairs, and themed markets.
