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

Aug 14, 2024, 14:37 IST
Parabel LimitedParabel's aquafarm in Melbourne, Florida.Americans eat approximately one-fifth less beef today than they did in 2005.

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.

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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.

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