Food tech startup Aqua Cultured Foods announced it has completed the development of its first commercial product from its novel microbial fermentation technology. Aqua’s calamari fries will be available through strategic partners later this year, according to a press release.
Aqua’s fermentation technology yields mycoprotein with a realistic appearance, taste, and texture plus high nutritional value—a holy grail in alt-protein. This proprietary method delivers the first whole-muscle cut, sushi-quality seafood alternatives.
Per 100 gram serving, Aqua’s calamari alternative contains approximately 80 calories. 15-20g protein, 10-12g fiber, and no sodium, saturated fat, or cholesterol. In comparison, 100g of calamari contains approximately 90 calories, 16g protein, no fiber, 45mg sodium, .4g saturated fat, and 263g cholesterol.
US alt-seafood sales grew by 23% in 2020 and it is expected to be a USD1.3bn market in the next decade, fueled by increasing awareness of how unsustainable the conventional seafood supply chain is, and how destructive to ocean ecosystems. Fermentation uses a fraction of the resources of traditional aquaculture, and Aqua has refined the science of fermentation for fish and shellfish analogs.