Jackfruit

Singapore NTU scientists with jackfruit developments

© NTU Singapore
Sustainability / Environment

Singapore: Scientists Are Developing Sustainable Process to Produce Lactic Acid from Jackfruit Seeds

Scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have developed a sustainable and effective technique to produce lactic acid using discarded jackfruit seeds. Lactic acid plays an indispensable role in the industrial production and preservation of many foods. It is used at various stages of making staple foods like bread, yogurt, cheese, kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickles. In 2022, around 1.5 million tons of lactic acid were produced worldwide. Lactic acid is added to dairy products to add flavor, controls the acidity of jams and canned fruit, and extends the shelf life of packaged meat products. When baking, lactic acid provides better texture and volume to the dough. In addition, lactic acid helps emulsify dressings and sauces and preserves the bright colors of fruit and vegetables. …

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BIff's jackfruit products

© Biff's Plant Shack
Products & Launches

Biff’s Launches New Jackfruit Products at Lower Cost, Providing “Alternative to Alt Meat”

UK-based brand Biff’s Plant Shack has launched a new and improved range of jackfruit-based CPGs, including a brand new burger cutlet and an updated formulation for its popular jackfruit wings. The products contain over 50% whole plant ingredients, making them an alternative to more processed plant-based meats. It comes as some consumers are increasingly searching for more veg-led options; according to surveys conducted by Biff’s and Vypr, 68% prefer these types of products to hyper-realistic meat alternatives. Meanwhile, figures from Kantar indicate that veg-led brands grew at four times the rate of conventional meat alternatives last year. Biff’s new Jackfruit 2.0 options are sold frozen, replacing the brand’s chilled products. This has allowed the company to cut retail prices by a third, making things easier …

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Wakao Foods plant-based meat shipment

© Wakao Foods
Company News

Wakao Foods Exports “India’s Largest” Plant-Based Meat Shipment to the US

Indian alt meat brand Wakao Foods has begun exporting its jackfruit-based products, sending a 13-tonne container — said to be India’s largest ever plant-based meat shipment — to the US. The milestone was celebrated in a ceremony at Kochi Port, featuring notable Indian dignitaries such as IAS Rajesh Agrawal, chairman of APEDA (The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority). The container is the first of two that will be exported. Agrawal said that India’s demand for plant-based meat was growing rapidly, creating opportunities to take advantage of the country’s crop biodiversity. He added that the production of crops such as jackfruit has benefits for farmers and is helping to diversify the protein supply, addressing malnutrition. “Dynamic food scene” Wakao Foods claims to be …

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KARANA jackfruit expands into retail in singapore, debuts at plantega in NYC

Image courtesy of KARANA
Retail & E-Commerce

Jackfruit Expert KARANA Launches CPGs in Singapore, Debuts at Plantega in NYC

Plant-based meat company KARANA is expanding into retail in Singapore through a collaboration with the local pant-based grocer and CPG brand goodfoodpeople by SaladStop! From April, KARANA’s jackfruit meat will be available in gyozas, beef Wellington, and chorizo meatballs. The Singaporean company, intending to scale jackfruit as a climate super crop, is available at 40 locations across Singapore. Its plant-based meat features in dishes like Pad Ka Prao at Grain Traders, Pastrami at plant-based butcher Love Handle, and across the menu of all Kebabs Faktory locations. KARANA says it has replaced Impossible Meat as the plant-based option.  Dan Riegler, co-founder of KARANA, explains: “What’s key to this expansion is the fact that the crop will add value, income, and mitigate climate risk for farmers and communities …

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Wakao Foods

© Wakao Foods
Meat- and Fish Alternatives

India’s Wakao Foods Launches Burger Patty Made From Jackfruit & Pea Protein

Indian alt meat brand Wakao Foods has launched a new product — the plant-based Continental Burger Patty, made from 53% jackfruit. Said to be rich in fibre and protein, the patty also contains pea protein and spices, and mimics the texture of pulled meat. It does not require refrigeration and has a year-long shelf life at ambient temperatures. Wakao’s extensive range also features jackfruit in the varieties Raw, Butter, Teriyaki, and BBQ, along with other jackfruit-based products such as the Hot & Spicy Sausage, American Herbs Sausage, and Supreme Burger Patty. “Sustainable and ethically sourced” India is a major jackfruit producer, exporting significant quantities to European alt meat brands. But now, Goa-based Wakao is bringing jackfruit-based meat alternatives to the fast-growing Indian plant-based market. The …

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Nudj jackfruit burgers

© Nudj
Company News

French Startup Nudj is Championing Jackfruit in France After Indian Voyage

Nudj founders, brothers Barthélemy Peuchot and Foucauld Peuchot, passionate about the evolution of consumption patterns, spent time racking their brains about how to change the food industry from within. During a trip to India, they discovered the jackfruit, a largely untapped resource in the west, yet a source of natural protein, rich in fibre and vitamins, and were inspired to launch their brand in 2020. The jackfruit is the oldest natural alternative to meat there is, say the founders. “Once cooked, the melting and stringy flesh of our tender jackfruit is very similar to that of pork or chicken. Indonesians have been cooking it in hot dishes for thousands of years. It’s our turn.” Replacing the “meat moment” Nudj describes itself as an impact startup, …

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Smashburger Plant-Based Burger

©Smashburger
Gastronomy & Food Service

Smashburger Partners with jack & annie’s to Trial New Jackfruit-Based Burger Patty

Fast casual burger chain Smashburger announces it is partnering with jackfruit meat producer jack & annie’s to trial a new menu item: the Plant-Based Classic Smash Burger. For a limited time, the jackfruit-based burger is now available in select US Smashburger locations in Colorado, New York and New Jersey.  According to the chain, the new patty can be substituted for any traditional protein across its menu items. The Plant-Based Classic Smash Burger features lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, pickles, American cheese (non-vegan), Smash Sauce (non-vegan), and ketchup on a toasted bun.  1st plant-based patty According to jack & annie’s, this burger marks its first branded partnership with a fast-casual restaurant chain, though it has been supplying jackfruit products to other restaurants for several years, the company …

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Jack & Annies Vegan Buffalo Chicken

©Jack & Annie's
Products & Launches

Jack & Annie’s Expands Jackfruit Chicken Portfolio with New Crispy Patties and Gluten-Free Tenders

Jack & Annie’s, which specializes in producing jackfruit meats, announces it is expanding its plant-based chicken portfolio with three new frozen products: Crispy Jack Patties, Buffalo Jack Patties, and Crispy Gluten-Free Jack Tenders. The new items are now available at US grocers nationwide, including Sprouts, Publix, Wegmans, Giant and Stop & Shop. Made with real jackfruit, a nutrient-dense plant known for its meaty texture, the new lineup features the same juicy flavor that has made Jack & Annie’s a fan favorite, the brand says. Products include: Crispy Jack Patties – Crispy and lightly seasoned patties that can be enjoyed on a bun or on their own Buffalo Jack Patties – Zesty flavor with hints of vinegar and butter  Crispy Gluten-Free Jack Tenders – Delicious gluten-free …

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market expansion Karana

©Karana
Investments & Finance

Real Tech Holdings Joins KARANA’s Seed Extension Round to Support Market Expansion

Japanese venture firm Real Tech Holdings has completed an investment in Singapore-headquartered whole-food plant-based meat brand KARANA. The Real Tech investment is the latest tranche in KARANA’s seed extension round and aims to support the company’s market expansion. Real Tech Holdings has invested in KARANA through its Global Fund, the principal goal of which is to build an ecosystem to support deep tech startups in South East Asia. In July 2020, KARANA announced the closing of a US$1.7 million seed round for its plant-based pork products made from organic jackfruit. The funding raised in the seed extension round is intended to support the growth of the company’s team and its commercial expansion. Market expansion In March, KARANA announced a partnership with restaurant locations in San …

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emirates' inflight vegan option experience

© Emirates
Tourism & Travel

Emirates Becomes Latest Airline to Add Vegan Options Following $2Bn Revamp

Middle Eastern airline Emirates has added a vegan menu for first-class customers as part of a US$2 billion investment to enhance its inflight customer experience and offer a variety of service improvements. “Explore new flavours with our selection of inventive vegan dishes, whether it’s a full three-course meal or a movie snack. Enjoy dishes like our zucchini tart, jackfruit biryani or vegan mapo tofu. And you can look forward to delectable vegan desserts like our chocolate truffle cake with roasted hazelnuts. Look out for the vegan icon on our menus,” states the Emirates website. Emirates follows Alaska Air’s recent announcement from just last month, and United Air’s collaboration with Impossible Foods this June, in a list of airlines beginning to realise that vegans too, need …

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Jack & Bry Jackfruit Unbreaded Fish Fillet

©Jack & Bry
Products & Launches

Jack & Bry Launches “World’s First” Jackfruit Fish Fillet After Selling 50M Vegan Pepperoni Pizza Slices

UK plant-based meat start-up Jack & Bry has debuted what it claims is the world’s first unbreaded jackfruit fish fillet. Produced in collaboration with The Cornish Seaweed Company, the jackfruit fish fillet launch is just the latest innovation from the rapidly-growing British vegan brand.  Jack & Bry has stated that the new unbreaded jackfruit fish fillet was made possible with the use of its jackfruit flavor composition and texture optimization platform, in collaboration with The Cornish Seaweed Company’s award-winning organic seaweed. The product is reported to accurately replicate the texture of fish whilst maintaining an authentic seafood taste. After launching the alt fish at plant-based chain Neat Burger – backed by Lewis Hamilton and Leonardo DiCaprio – as well as the famous Harbour Lights Fish …

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Karana Jackfruit Meat Kebabs

©KARANA
Food & Beverage

KARANA Jackfruit Makes US Debut at Multiple San Francisco Restaurants

KARANA, a Singapore-based food tech startup, announces it has partnered with several San Francisco restaurants to serve its realistic jackfruit meat. The event is the first time Karana’s product will be available on American menus, marking its official debut on the US market.  Three acclaimed restaurants – Empress, Wildseed and Base Camp – will feature KARANA’s plant-based meat in signature dumplings, as a specialty pizza topping and more, with Wildseed adding it to the menu as its current vegan pizza sausage as a replacement to the Beyond Meat sausage. For the US launch, the company will sell its jackfruit dumplings and minced meat to chefs and food service in the Bay Area, followed by the Greater Los Angeles region.   “Our original goal was always to …

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Nisha Menon Nikasu, founder Jack & Chill

Nisha Menon Nikasu, founder Jack & Chill
Interviews

Jack & Chill: “Jackfruit’s Natural Capability to Mimic the Texture of Meat is Absolutely Incredible!”

With the exponential growth of the alt meat market globally, a wealth of plant-based ingredients – from algae to pea and everything in between – are coming under the spotlight for their functionality and sustainability. However, more and more producers are now turning to one ingredient previously overlooked until recent times: the humble jackfruit. One such brand is newcomer Jack & Chill, which sources all its jackfruit from the local farms and households of Kerala, India, where the company has its roots. We spoke to Nisha Menon of Nikasu Foods UK about the new brand, what sets it apart and its plans for the rest of 2022. How was the Jack & Chill brand born? JACK & CHILL was born in 2019 with a mission …

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Daniel-Staackmann Upton's Naturals

Daniel Staackmann ©Upton's Naturals
Company News

Upton’s Naturals: Successful Meat Alternatives Made Simple

In an industry where bloody burgers dominate grocery shelves with big marketing dollars, independently owned Upton’s Naturals has been creating plant-based meat alternatives from easy-to-understand ingredients for over 15 years. Run by Founder Dan Staackmann and VP Nicole Sopko, this ethical vegan, 100% self-funded food company is the underdog in a modern-day David & Goliath story, bootstrapping its way to success by prioritizing passion, creativity, and hard work. Its products, which are now sold in over 5,000 retail stores in the United States, plus available to foodservice customers nationwide, are a far cry from the lab-created, highly processed products currently crowding the category. Said Staackmann, “We use ingredients that have been around for thousands of years and update them to produce meat alternatives for today’s …

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Jack & Annie's Jackfruit Meat Products

©Jack & Annie's

Investments & Finance

Jackfruit Meat Brand Jack & Annie’s Closes $23M Series B Funding Round

Jackfruit meat brand Jack & Annie’s has announced the closing of a $23 million Series B funding round. The sustainability-focused producer will expand its distribution in the US across retail and foodservice channels for its jackfruit meat products.  Based in Boulder, Colorado, Jack & Annie’s differentiates itself from competitors in the alt meat space by making its products – including frozen and chilled sausages, pulled pork, and wings – from whole plant jackfruit. According to the brand’s research, around 70% of jackfruit goes unused, so Jack & Annie’s supports farming communities in India by preventing the underutilized crop from going to waste, providing farming families with 10-40% of their income. In less than a year in business, the brand has rapidly gained distribution nationally in …

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jack & bry launches at ocado

© Jack & Bry
Products & Launches

Jackfruit-Based Vegan Meat Brand Jack & Bry Launches at Ocado

Jack & Bry launches at Ocado in the latest stage of its retail rollout for its plant-based meat range including jackfruit mince, sausages, and burgers. Jack & Bry, a British brand making meat alternatives from jackfruit, has launched at online supermarket Ocado. The company’s burgers, sausages, and mince, which are infused with locally-sourced smoked oils, are now available for customers to order direct to their doors. Jack & Bry’s products can already be purchased via the company’s own website and online vegan supermarket The Vegan Kind, with plans to launch at more retailers later this year. According to the brand, the meat alternatives are very high in fibre, which aids gut health and boosts immunity. Late last year, Jack & Bry hired Clive Sharpe, the …

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Clive Sharpe, image courtesy of Jack & Bry

Company News

Jackfruit Meat Producer Jack & Bry Appoints Ex Quorn Chairman Clive Sharpe

Plant-based startup Jack & Bry, known for its jackfruit-based pizza toppings, appoints FMCG industry veteran and ex Chair of Quorn Clive Sharpe as Non-Executive Chairman, to help the brand prepare for a retail launch in 2021 and continue its growth trajectory. David Flower, ex of Kerry Foods, is also appointed as non-executive director.

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