California Cultured, a startup that specializes in producing flavanol-rich cocoa and other botanicals through innovative plant cell culture, has recently secured a significant investment from Sparkalis, the corporate venture arm of the renowned bakery ingredients and chocolate giant Puratos. This investment is aimed at fostering a future partnership that promises to revolutionize cocoa and chocolate production at a time when global demand is projected to outstrip supply dramatically.
The Davis, California-based firm has already made strides in the market, having recently partnered with Japanese food giant Meiji to incorporate its cocoa powder into various confectionery and wellness products. As California Cultured continues to expand, it is on track to complete construction of a 12,000 square-foot facility in West Sacramento by mid-December. This new facility will enable the company to scale its operations and meet the growing demand for high-quality cocoa.
CEO Alan Perlstein expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration with Puratos, emphasizing that while there is no exclusivity in the partnership, the focus will be on leveraging their advanced technology. “Puratos is well-known for its high-quality chocolate and baking ingredients, and they have extensive capabilities in flavor development and fermentation,” Perlstein told AgFunderNews. He highlighted that the partnership will primarily focus on high-flavanol cocoa, a product that has garnered significant interest due to its health benefits.
California Cultured employs a unique method of plant cell culture, which allows it to grow cacao plant cells indoors in bioreactors. This innovative approach relies on sugars, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients rather than traditional agricultural methods that depend on sunlight, soil, and water. The process involves harvesting the cells, followed by fermentation, drying, and roasting to produce cocoa. While plant cell culture has been successfully applied in the pharmaceutical industry, its application in the nutraceuticals space is gaining traction, particularly as traditional cocoa supply chains face increasing threats from climate change and market volatility.
Despite the challenges associated with scaling up production, Perlstein remains optimistic about the economic viability of their operations. He noted that traditional steel bioreactors present significant limitations due to their high costs and infrastructure requirements. Instead, California Cultured is exploring the use of plastic-based systems, which offer a more cost-effective and scalable solution. Perlstein explained that plant cells possess a certain level of robustness, allowing for multiple uses of the plastic systems before they need replacement.
The company’s innovative approach also promises to deliver higher yields of bioactive compounds. By utilizing their understanding of plant metabolomics, California Cultured has been able to significantly increase the concentration of flavanols in their cocoa. While traditional cocoa beans contain less than 1% flavanols, California Cultured’s process yields between 20-25% flavanols by weight. This substantial increase in flavanol content is particularly appealing to chocolate manufacturers seeking to enhance the health benefits of their products.
As California Cultured continues to innovate, the implications for the chocolate industry are profound. With traditional agricultural methods becoming increasingly unsustainable due to environmental factors, the startup’s technology could provide a more stable and consistent source of cocoa. This shift not only addresses supply chain vulnerabilities but also aligns with growing consumer demand for sustainably produced ingredients.
The investment from Sparkalis underscores the potential of plant cell culture to transform the agricultural landscape. As demand for cocoa continues to rise and traditional supply chains face mounting pressures, the ability to produce high-quality, consistent cocoa in a controlled environment could become a game-changer. This partnership marks a pivotal moment in the quest for sustainable food production, offering a glimpse into a future where the complexities of climate change and resource scarcity are met with innovative solutions.