Solar Foods’ solution for protein production sounds artificial. Is it?
The diversity of nature is more varied than meets the eye. Solein has probably been around in nature longer than the foods we consume today: we just have not been able to harvest it before. Solein is not a plant nor an animal, but a single-cell microbe in its most natural form – it is found in nature just like other crops.
What does Solein taste like?
Solein in its plain powder form has a pleasant, delicate taste, just a note of umami and a mild aroma. It does not add or bring any distinctive taste to the final product it is added to.
The macronutrient composition of the cells is very similar to that of dried soy or algae, but it is more versatile since the taste and smell are not as distinct. This is good news since many of the alternative proteins in the market have an unpleasant taste, which needs to be masked in the final food products.
How is Solein meant to be used in foods?
Solein is meant to be used as an ingredient by the food industry. It is aimed at food companies looking for nutritious, functional, and sustainable protein ingredients of consistent quality that can be reliably delivered for their products. Food companies will be able to use Solein in their products to substitute traditional ingredients or protein sources. Solein can also upgrade the nutritional profile of foods, and it can be used for a wide variety of functional benefits in different products. In our view, having access to an alternative natural protein should not require you to compromise your choices, or taste buds, as a consumer.
Solein’s adaptability is virtually limitless, and it can be used as a protein ingredient in a wide variety of existing foods such as pasta, bread, plant-based dairy, alternative dairy and meat products, drinks, and more. Solein vanishes into foods easily making it ideal for virtually every food imaginable, sweet or savoury.
- Thanks to its excellent emulsification, Solein is perfect for creating smooth, stable mixtures in products like mayonnaise, dressings, and non-dairy creamers.
- Solein’s ability to fibrillate means Solein can be transformed to mimic meat’s texture for satisfying alternative meatballs, strips, or meat imitations.
- Solein’s acid gelation and curdling properties make it ideal for vegan yoghurts and cheeses, providing the familiar consistency and mouthfeel of dairy products.
- The fine particle size allows for easy dispersion, ensuring a creamy texture in dairy alternatives and uniform blending in soups, sauces, and beverages.
- As a non-sedimenting ingredient, it’s excellent for protein shakes and other liquid foods. Solein serves as a nutritional building block, fortifying foods with protein, vitamins, and minerals.
- From pasta and omelettes to protein bars and noodle soups, Solein is a versatile addition, providing a protein boost with every bite. Solein can also be used as a fortifying ingredient, for example to add iron to a food product.
Is Solein safe to eat? Why does it need an approval from food authorities before it can be sold?
Every novel food or ingredient goes through official approval processes and tests by local authorities before it can be sold or used in a food product. This is a standard procedure and ensures that Solein is 100% safe for all consumers.
Solein received its first novel food regulatory approval in September 2022 in Singapore. Solein obtained self-affirmed GRAS status (Generally Recognised as Safe) in the United States in September 2024.
Solar Foods is also seeking novel food approvals for Solein in the EU and the UK. Once the process is ready and Solein receives official approval on different markets, it will be ready for use in everyday food products.
Is Solein vegan and gluten-free? Does it contain any allergens?
Solein is vegan, gluten-free, GMO-free, dairy-free and soy-free. It does not contain known allergens.
Is Solein healthy?
We do not make any health claims in comparison to other plant or meat-based protein sources. Based on the analysis done so far, Solein is an extremely diverse ingredient. It contains all the nine essential amino acids, carbohydrates, fats and minerals as any other food. Solein also provides a source of iron and B vitamins.
Solein’s nutritional profile consists of 65-70 % protein, 10-15 % dietary fibres, 5-8 % fat and 3-5 % minerals.
Where does Solein’s yellow colour come from?
The yellow colour comes from carotenoids, which are naturally occurring pigments in Solein. An example of a familiar source of carotenoids is carrots. The yellow colour does not affect the taste.
Where and when can we buy products which contain Solein?
Solein is a novel food ingredient, which means it requires regulatory approval in different markets before it can be sold. Currently Singapore is the only country where Solein has a novel food regulatory approval, clearing it for sale and use in food products. Solein has been available for consumers in limited-edition food products in Singapore, such as the Solein Chocolate Gelato and the Fazer Taste the Future snack bar. The restaurant Chengdu Bowl has also introduced two Mala-flavoured dishes on its menu as Solein-powered versions.
Most recently, in August 2024, the Japanese food company the Ajinomoto Group launched Atlr.72™ Flowering Mooncakes and Atlr.72™ Ice Cream Sandwiches which were available in pop-up stores in Takashimaya Singapore and One Holland Village.
Solar Foods has applied for a novel food regulatory approval for Solein also in the EU and the UK, and Solein obtained self-affirmed GRAS status (Generally Recognized as Safe) in the United States in September 2024. We expect we can enter the US market by the end of 2024.
Solar Foods’ first commercial-scale production facility, Factory 01, started operations in April 2024. Factory 01 scales Solein production up to a maximum of 160 tons of the novel protein annually. With expanded production, Solein’s cost will also see a significant drop. All of this will enable food brands to more easily use Solein in their products and bring it to consumers.
Are you looking for new distributors?
If you are a distributor and interested in what Solein could offer your brand, contact us at info@solarfoods.com.
What foods have you cooked with Solein?
Solein’s remarkable properties make it a culinary chameleon, perfect for both traditional recipes and novel gastronomic creations. That means it can be used in a wide variety of dishes and products in different ways: alternative dairy and meat, different snacks and beverages, noodles and pasta, or breads and spreads, and more.
Our work also involves continuously testing this entirely new food ingredient with chefs and food industry professionals to discover the full variety of dishes Solein can help recreate. To get an idea of just some of the different possibilities of Solein’s uses and how it pairs with traditional ingredients, have a look at the five-course menu created for Solein’s first official tasting in Singapore in 2023. Or look at the videos from our test kitchen, cooking with Solein:
Solein ice cream
Ravioli made with Solein
Bao buns made with Solein