Inside a $10 million aquafarm that grows slime-colored 'water lentils' for smoothies

As a result, a number of plant-based "meat" startups have popped up in the last decade. They've created everything from burgers made of pea protein to shrimp made of algae.

A new Florida-based food startup called Parabel is also trying to fulfill consumer's hunger for plant-based protein - by growing water lentils in a massive aquafarm. Water lentils taste similar to normal lentils (they have a sweet and mild planty flavor), but grow in nutrient-rich water rather than soil.

Parabel produces a protein powder, called Lentein, from the water lentils it harvests. Lentein powder contains 45% protein, about the same amount as most soy-based protein powders. Parabel's powder, which the company will start selling later this year, can be mixed into smoothies, water, or be used to make homemade protein bars.

Production at the company's $10 million, 100-acre farm, which has a production capacity of 500 tons of water lentils per year, began in March. The startup is now starting construction on a new 600-acre aquafarm, which will be completed in late 2017.

Keep scrolling for an inside look of the first farm.