Cocoa

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Company News

Cellva Shifts Focus to Microencapsulation Technology with Launch of Cocoa Substitute

Cellva has recently undergone a strategic pivot, refocusing its efforts on microencapsulation technology, which it sees as central to its future growth. This shift is accompanied by the consolidation of its research and development and administrative operations, all aimed at streamlining its processes and reinforcing its commitment to sustainable food solutions. The future of cocoa The company’s new direction is highlighted by the launch of CoffeeCoa™, a cocoa substitute developed through innovative use of microencapsulation. The product, made from upcycled coffee husks, is designed to replicate the taste, color, and texture of cocoa, while offering added nutritional benefits, such as increased fiber and antioxidants. CoffeeCoa™ is positioned as a versatile ingredient that can be used in a wide range of food applications, including cookies, baked …

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Cocoa-tech startup Celleste Bio has raised $4.5 million in a seed round to produce its cell-cultured cocoa ingredients for the food industry.

© Celleste Bio
Investments & Finance

Celleste Bio Secures $4.5M to Scale Production of Cell-Cultured Cocoa, Mondelēz VC Arm Participates

Cocoa-tech startup Celleste Bio has raised $4.5 million in a seed round to produce its cell-cultured cocoa ingredients for the food industry. The round was led by early-stage investor Supply Change Capital, with the participation of Mondelēz International’s venture capital arm SnackFutures Ventures, Consensus Business Group, Barrel Venture Partners, The Trendlines Group, and Regba Agriculture. The new funds will help Celleste Bio boost its research and development, infrastructure, and technological capabilities to achieve commercial scale. Michal Beressi Golomb, CEO of Celleste Bio, shared, “Climate change and conventional farming practices are depleting our rainforests, resulting in unprecedented environmental and financial challenges to grow enough cocoa to meet the needs of a $100B — and growing — chocolate industry. This round provides us with the financial and strategic …

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California Cultured cell cultivated chocolate

© California Cultured
Investments & Finance

Chocolate Giant Puratos Makes Strategic Investment in California Cultured’s Cell-Based Cacao

California Cultured, a startup pioneering plant cell culture to produce cacao, has received an undisclosed investment from Sparkalis, the food tech venture arm of the Belgian international group Puratos. The new capital will fund the startup’s scaling operations at an upcoming new facility (currently under construction) to bring a cell-based cocoa powder product to the market. Filip Arnaut, managing director of Sparkalis, commented: “At Sparkalis, we seek out visionary startups like California Cultured that are creating transformative solutions for the food industry. Their innovative approach to cocoa production aligns perfectly with our mission to foster a healthier and more sustainable future for the global food ecosystem. We are thrilled to support their journey in the world of chocolate.” Uniting forces to address commodity challenges The …

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©Sprüngli

Sweets & Snacks

Sprüngli Launches Vegan Praline Chocolates with Cocoa Fruit Juice

Swiss chocolatier Sprüngli presents new vegan pralines in the form of bâtons made from three Grand Cru fine chocolate combined with fresh cocoa fruit juice. Two years ago, the company created the first Swiss Grand Cru chocolate made from 100% cocoa fruit, consisting of two ingredients: fine cocoa beans from Bolivia, and fresh cocoa fruit juice. With the new launch which debuts this September, Sprüngli once again uses fresh cocoa fruit juice in combination with fine cocoas from Venezuela, Ecuador and Bolivia. Bâtons Grand Cru Maracaibo Bâtons with a ganache made from Grand Cru Maracaibo 65%. The cocoa originates from Venezuela and offers an intense cocoa flavour with coffee and plum aromas. Bâtons Grand Cru Arriba Bâtons with a ganache made from Grand Cru Arriba …

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Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

$4M Invested in California Cultured’s Cell-Cultured Chocolate to Solve Deforestation and Child Labor in Cocoa

Agronomics has led a Seed Funding Round for California Cultured, a food-tech company based in Davis, California, which utilises cell culture technology to produce cocoa products like cocoa powder, chocolate, cocoa butter and flavanols in order to circumvent the serious issues arising from cocoa production such as deforestation and child slave labor. California Cultured was founded by cell-culture technology veterans Alan Perlstein and Harrison Yoon, as a way to address the need for more ethical and environmentally friendly methods of chocolate production. The company says, “We select cacao varieties with the best organoleptic properties, take a handful of cells and keep them growing infinitely. We do this by equipping the cells with a proper set of plant nutrients which allows for rapid growth. We harvest …

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Goodio-Founder Jukka Peltola

© Goodio
Interviews

Goodio: “Cocoa Will Have the Love and Respect it Deserves.”

Many people can no longer imagine their daily lives without chocolate. But most consumers don’t realise that their low-priced sweet treats often have a bitter aftertaste for cocoa farmers. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. The Scandinavian company Goodio aims not just to increase appreciation of chocolate, but also to create a better (entrepreneurial) world with radical transparency. We interviewed Goodio about this mission and their new ChocOats.

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