Egg Alternatives

Barcelona’s UOBO Launches Liquid Plant-Based Eggs for Food Service

Barcelona-based startup UOBO has launched liquid plant-based eggs for food service in a 1-litre bottled format for the Spanish market. The startup says that it has garnered impressive results since its launch on social media platforms, with its first post receiving over 250,000 views in less than 24 hours. In addition, UOBO claims to have already received over 40 requests from interested restaurants, caterers, and distributors. The company’s 100% vegetable whole-eggs are said to adapt seamlessly to traditional recipes while offering great taste. UOBO can be cooked into multiple dishes, including omelets, scrambled eggs, pastries, custard, and mayonnaise. Even though UOBO is described as a nutritious alternative to eggs, the company has not as yet revealed its ingredients on social media.  Making better eggs Founded …

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Libre Group shot

© Libre Foods

Fermentation

Libre Foods Wins €335K Grant to Pioneer Low-Cost Mycelium for Meat Alternatives

Libre Foods, a Spanish biotech based in Barcelona, has been awarded a €335,000 public R&D grant by Neotec (a program that supports technology-based companies) to develop a low-cost mycelium ingredient for meat alternatives.  Mycelium holds the potential to enhance the texture and nutrition in meat alternatives; however, scaling its production to lower the final product’s costs remains an industry challenge, argues Libre Foods. With the funds, the Spanish biotech plans to launch an advanced screening platform, integrating rapid imaging robotics and machine learning to discover and optimize fungi-based applications and accelerate product development. The platform could increase efficiency in R&D by more than 800 times, explains the company. Low-cost mycelium The technology’s first task will be developing a low-cost mycelium ingredient with a superior nutritional and …

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Juicy Marbels secures a long term deal for its filet mignon at Waitrose

Image credit: Juicy Marbles FB

Food Service

Juicy Marbles Steak Arrives at Barcelona Hot-Spot Aiming to Begin an “Inclusive Plant-Based Revolution”

Amarre 69, one of the most popular vegan restaurants in Barcelona, ​​stands as a pioneer in the future of premium vegan meat with the “Juicy 69 Experience” event spotlighting the plant-based Juicy Marbles steak. The objective of the event is to enhance the recognition of Amarre 69 among the local public in Barcelona and promote the plant-based movement in the city in a unique and fun way. Taking place this Sunday, December 10th; from 1pm, the general public will be invited to enjoy the “Juicy 69 Experience”, entailing a free tasting of Juicy Marbles tapas and a musical presentation by Daniella Barbarito, providing a vibrant and festive atmosphere. The initiative will bring together different personalities, media and the general public on the occasion of the …

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A photo of Roots & Rolls' terrace

© Roots & Rolls

Gastronomy & Food Service

Vegan Eatery Roots & Rolls Wins Notable and Innovative Venue Award at Barcelona Restaurant Awards 2023

Among 30 finalists and selected by professional juries, Roots & Rolls, a vegan restaurant in Barcelona, Spain, specializing in Asian and Japanese cuisine, has won the Notable and Innovative Venue Award at the fourth edition of the Barcelona Restaurant Awards (Premio Barcelona Restauración). Organized by Barcelona City Council, this event recognizes and highlights the establishments that have contributed to the community by sharing values such as integration, quality of life, sustainability, innovation, and ability to adapt to changing times. The Notable and Innovative Award recognizes innovation, gastronomic creativity, and sustainability. Using the “infinite world” of veggies and spices, Roots & Rolls pioneers plant-based sushi in Barcelona. It was established by Sandra de Jong and Erik van Leeuwen in the Dreta l’Eixample district in 2018 to offer …

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Somenoya tofu shop in Barcelona

© Somenoya

Retail & E-Commerce

Japan’s Someno’s TOFU Co. Reports 179% Sales Surge at First Overseas Branch in Barcelona

Someno’s TOFU Co., a Japanese tofu maker since 1862, opened the company’s first overseas branch, Somenoya, in Barcelona, Spain, this February. Eight months after the launch, the company reports that its retail outlet has experienced sturdy growth, with a 179% increase in sales in September compared to February.  TOFU Catalán S.L established the Barcelona shop in 2010; however, it sold its ownership to Someno’s TOFU Co. in October 2022. During the succession period, the business ceased operations, resuming and reopening in February 2023. With the motto “soybeans save the world”, Somenoya offers a tofu collection made by artisans using traditional processing methods and Nigari, a natural coagulant made from seawater. The company also sells SoMeat, a plant-based meat imported from Japan, and a range of Bento lunch …

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New vegan burger brand called Vungr

Image credit: Hunger Brands LinkedIn

Delivery Services

Spain’s New Vungr Service Delivers Burgers Featuring Heura Patties and Väcka Cheese

Barcelona-based Hunger Brands has announced the launch of a new 100% vegan brand tailored explicitly for delivery called Vungr, created in collaboration with plant-based meat company Heura Foods and vegan cheese startup Väcka. Vungr is a 100% vegan burger brand targeting vegans, vegetarians, flexitarians, and even meat lovers, looking for convenient animal protein-free options.  Vungr’s burgers come in pita-bread style buns and, according to the brand, are the first of their kind in the Spanish market. Its range includes Classic Vegan, Four Cheeses, Not Pollo, Porteña Vegan, and Truvada Vegan. It launched initially at Glovo and Uber Eats, but the company announced expansion plans across Spain soon. In addition to its burger offerings, Vungr’s menu includes Not Pollo fingers by Heura in various flavors. Heura+Väcka=Vungr The new burgers feature Heura’s beef burger patties, which recently …

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VegFest Barcelona 2023

© VegFest BCN

Fairs & Events

VegFest BCN 2023: Barcelona’s 1st Vegan Festival Returns This Weekend

This weekend marks the launch of the second edition of VegFest, Barcelona’s first vegan festival. It will take place on the 3rd and 4th of June at the popular venue Nau Bostik. Organized by AnimaNaturalis, the event aims to raise awareness of animal rights, promote animal and environmentally-friendly lifestyles, and support its campaigns. Founded in 2003, AnimaNaturalis is a non-profit organization working to implement, protect and raise awareness of animal rights in Spain and Latin America. A cruelty-free lifestyle VegFest BCN 2023 is sponsored by cosmetics brand LUSH; nonprofit organization Vegfund, empowering vegan activists worldwide; a well-fed world, a nonprofit advocating for plant-based solutions for a hungry world; and vegan beer company BdeGust. The festival includes conferences revolving around veganism, concerts, DJ sets, and activities for all ages. …

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Burger King Barcelona exterior

Burger King España

Fast Food

Burger King Opens Plant-Forward Popup in Barcelona, Says it Sold 30M Meat-Free Products in 2022

One Burger King location at the Westfield Glories shopping center in Barcelona becomes a plant-forward popup for the month of May, for the ‘Westfield Good Festival’, an event organized by the mall to celebrate Earth Month. From last Thursday (May 4th) until the end of the month, the fast food giant has converted the space with decorations for Earth Month and will be offering the widest range of meat-free options, entailing vegan and vegetarian products, available thus far in Barcelona. The company claims that throughout 2022, it sold nearly 30 million meat-free products. At the Barcelona location, consumers can purchase plantbased versions of the new Cheesy Doritos, Cheeseburger, Cheeseburger BBQ, and Chicken Wrap, as well as The King Huevo, Cheese Bacon XXL and Steakhouse, along …

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Marc Coloma and Bernat Ananos, Heura founders

© Heura

Company News

Heura Raises Over €2.6M in Crowdfunding in Just 48 Hours

Heura, the leading Spanish company in plant-based meat products, has started its third crowdfunding round and has raised more than 2.6 million euros in 48 hours. Since its launch on May 5, the company has 3,400 more investors. The objective of this crowdfunding campaign, which will be active until May 17 through the Crowdcube platform, is to lead the plant-based protein market at the European level, deploy the net positive impact plan, and drive technological innovations under a new patent. European growth The plant-based sector currently generates sales in Europe of €5.7 billion and a GFI report from this February found that alt protein companies across Europe raised nearly 24% more last year than in 2021. Spanish companies in particular attracted €42 million in funding  …

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Alan Iván Ramos, Libre Foods

Alan Iván Ramos, © Libre Foods

Interviews

Libre Foods: “Fungi Are the Ingredients that Transform the Food System”

Barcelona’s Libre Foods recently celebrated its second anniversary, with many achievements under its vegan belt to speak of in a short time. Not least, last year’s €2.2M raise, and this February’s launch of what Libre says is the first alt bacon made from mushrooms in Europe. Libre Foods states it is the first EU biotech and climate-driven company to pave the way for a new food system by producing whole-muscle-cut meat products made from fungi. We were excited to finally enjoy a mushroom-based chat with CEO Alan Iván Ramos. What is the story behind Libre Foods? In 2019, I moved to Berlin to join the world’s leading alternative protein startup incubator, ProVeg Incubator, where I was able to combine purpose with innovation, and turned my …

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Luz Sanz_CEO Väcka

CEO Luz Sanz © Väcka

Interviews

Väcka: “In Five Years, We See Ourselves as the Leader in the Alternative Cheese Market”

Spanish alternative cheese startup Väcka, founded in 2021 by Ana Luz and Maxime Boniface, is definitely a contender for best tagline with “Your mum is the #1 most sustainable and ethical dairy producer, we’re #2”. Based in Barcelona, Väcka produces what it claims to be the world’s only cheeses made from melon seeds and olive oil, which were recognised by Carrefour last year and named one of the winners of the Carrefour Plant-Based Contest. These cheeses are certainly creating a stir both in Spain and beyond. Following the startup’s raise of €1.1 million just last month, we had to catch up with co-founder Luz to find out more. Can you give us the Väcka elevator pitch? At Väcka we design and create high quality plant-based …

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Plant-based fats

© Cubiq Foods

Company News

Cargill and Cubiq Foods Enter Agreement to Accelerate ‘Wide Scale’ Commercialization of Novel Plant-Based Fats

Agribusiness giant Cargill announces it is entering an agreement with food tech startup Cubiq Foods to co-develop and commercialize the latter’s plant-based fat technologies.  According to Cargill, the agreement is aimed at accelerating wide-scale commercialization of Cubiq’s novel fats, including its innovative Go!Drop emulsion, for plant-based meat and dairy, among other products.  Closing the flavor gap Through the strategic partnership, Cargill states it will now have access to Cubiq’s existing portfolio of plant-based ingredient solutions, including plant proteins, texturizers and an array of traditional fats and oils. Cargill, the world’s third largest meat producer, says most current plant-based options do not meet consumers’ expectations for taste and quality. Rather, it believes Cubiq’s line of “smarter” fats helps close the flavor gap by replicating the visual …

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Rudy's Selfridges

©Rudy's Vegan

Studies & Numbers

Top 10 Most Vegan-Friendly and Future-Ready Cities Revealed

Abillion, the world’s fastest-growing platform for reviewing plant-based food and products, just released a report determining the 10 best cities in the world for conscious citizens. These cities are said to particularly attract young people in the future, with plant-based nutrition playing a major role. For its new report, the platform has assessed global cities based on how much they have embraced plant-based lifestyles, their commitment to green policies, as well as greenhouse gas emissions and waste. According to abillion, these factors are indicators of where people want to live, especially for the very mobile Generation Z and Millennials who place personal well-being as highly as professional success. For these generations, ethics, commitments to causes, diversity and inclusion, and especially sustainable options, are part of …

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Flax & Kale founder

©Flax & Kale

Products & Launches

Flax & Kale Launches “Largest Range of Plant-Based Meats and Cheeses Made in Spain”

Barcelona based Flax & Kale, owned by Teresa Carles Healthy Foods, is launching what it claims to be the “largest range of plant-based meats and cheeses made in Spain” with 14 meat and 31 cheese products created by an R&D team led by chef Teresa Carles. “Our ambition is to lead the plant-based market in Spain in the coming year” The company has managed to be recognised with the Innovative SME seal, as well as being the only SME in Spain that in the last five years has managed to obtain five certifications for R&D deductions in 5 different business categories/research lines. Jordi Barri, CEO of Teresa Carles Healthy Foods, “Our ambition is to lead the plant-based market in Spain in the coming years with …

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Founders Bernat-Ananos and Marc Coloma at the City of Justice in Barcelona ©Heura

Society

Judge Rejects Cautionary Measures Filed by the Meat Industry in Favour of Heura

A Barcelona court has rejected the request for precautionary measures prior to the filing of the lawsuit against Heura for its “provocative” advertising which set out to inform the public about meat consumption. It has been ruled that the vegan meat producer will be able to maintain its environmental awareness campaigns and continue to discuss the impact of livestock farming on our planet.

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© Alpro

Company News

Danone Invests €12m to Expand Plant-Based Food Production Facility in Spain

The €12 million investment by food giant Danone is aimed at expanding the plant’s plant-based food production facility. Located in Parets del Vallès, near Barcelona, this will be the first hybrid factory to produce both dairy and plant-based foods. The line will be the source for Spain, and other countries, of oat and coconut-based foods under the Oikos, Alpro and Activia brands. Opened in 1982, Parets was the first Danone production site in Europe to create plant-based alternatives to its dairy products. The international corporation currently has plants in Madrid, Asturias and Valencia. The 52,000 square metre Parets plant employs 181 people. The new investment will result in the creation of 12 new jobs, according to Danone. Last week we reported that Danone will acquire …

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