Water lentil milk: Parabel achieves dairy alternative breakthrough

31 May 2019 --- Parabel USA Inc., a producer of plant protein ingredients, today announces successful results for its new, patent pending milk made from water lentils, adding to its rapidly growing portfolio of patents worldwide.

“Our lentil milk is similar in color to regular milk and captures the extraordinary, high quality protein and mineral benefits of water lentils while containing no allergens,” says Peter Sherlock, Parabel’s CTO. “The milk froths and foams effectively. This innovative addition also retains the same high level of sustainability as the rest of our product range,” he adds.

The plant-based milk market has continued to grow over the years, now accounting for 15 percent of total milk sales in the US, and is set to grow at a double digit rate over the next few years.

Parabel's team showcasing lentil milk“This new product stream opens up a vast range of applications for us in the dairy analogue market. As the market continues to grow with double digits each year – we believe it’s an important step forward for Parabel,” Cecilia Wittbjer, Vice President Marketing at Parabel Inc. tells FoodIngredientsFirst.

Parabel USA Inc., based in Vero Beach, Florida, grows and processes water lentils into LENTEIN plant protein. The company provides plant-based, Non-GMO ingredients, through its hydroponic system, as well as promoting environmental benefits, community investment and global food security.

Parabel already has 94 patents around the extraction and end use of plant protein from water lentils (Lemnaceae), often called the world’s smallest flowering plant. Parabel uses no chemicals or pesticides to grow and process this Non-GMO plant and the environmental footprint is low. Parabel’s technology is highly scalable as water lentils can double in biomass every day enabling daily crop harvests.

The plant protein has been well received by the industry for inclusion into beverages, snacks and bars due to its hypoallergenic and nutrient dense profile. Food manufacturers are looking for healthy and sustainable plant-based alternatives to many grocery staples, and water lentils are proving to be a perfect solution for them. LENTEIN received the “No Objections” letter from the FDA in 2018.

“The Dairy Analogue category is part of our FDA ‘no objections’ letter for the USA. We have already submitted our dossier to EFSA and are working to make sure we can supply our Non GMO water lentils and milk to the European market soon,” Wittbjer says.

Parabel operates globally from its HQ in Florida and has an existing product portfolio that includes protein concentrates, isolate and protein flour. Parabel is finalizing its second farm bringing the capacity for LENTEIN plant protein to 3,500 MT per year. With the increased market demand for new plant protein ingredients, Lentein is applicable in many different applications including beverages, snacks and bars.