Organic – new developments within the permanent trend

Products from organic farming have been in vogue for several years, and the trend is rising. We can observe that more and more consumers prefer organic food – on the one hand because it is considered healthier, and on the other hand because it supports environmental and climate protection. As a result of increasing consumer interest and the urgency to do everything humanly possible to counteract climate change, companies in the food industry are constantly coming up with new ideas. We present the most exciting innovations in a little more detail below.

A good sip for climate protection

Alcohol distillation is extremely energy-intensive. Beer production, for example, consumes a great deal of water. And the high demand for mezcal and tequila has been causing an agave shortage for years. In short, our favorite drinks are not always good for planet Earth. Various companies are now trying to rebalance enjoyment and climate protection with methodological adjustments and new products. Here are a few examples:

1. popular Irish beer producer Guinness has been implementing a three-year regenerative agriculture pilot project since February 2022. With the intention of reducing the negative impact of barley production on the environment, the company is supporting barley farmers to research and test nature-based farming methods. Working with Irish farmers, as well as agricultural scientists and respected technical partners, Guinness aims to find climate-friendly solutions. The main objectives at a glance:

– Regenerate soils and sequester carbon
– Improve habitats and biodiversity on farms
– Reduce the use of synthetic chemicals
– Improve working and living conditions for farmers
– Protect and optimize water quality

2. Sachi Soy Wine from Singapore is the world’s first alcoholic soy drink. Brewed from the soy whey produced in the course of tofu production, the soy wine is convincing in terms of sustainability. Sachi is made from non-GMO soybeans, is low in calories and rich in soy antioxidants, as well as being gluten-free and vegan. All these advantages make the product incredibly interesting for many consumer groups.

3. with its organic Medronho brandy, the Portuguese brand CORTA FOGO has created a very exclusive product from the south of Portugal, associated with a Mediterranean heritage: the “strawberry tree”, as it is commonly called, holds an even greater treasure than its delicious fruits. It is one of the crops that best adapts to climate change and recovers most quickly in case of fire. In Portugal, the strawberry tree is also being used as an effective strategy to combat the fires that have ravaged the country in recent decades. All the answers lie in nature – that’s what the brand wants to honor. Translated, “corta fogo” means “cut fire” – a successful tribute to the natural solution to the fire problem. A tree that saves trees.

The organic bottle design of the Medronho brandy, developed by the Portuguese packaging design agency BRAVA, looks as if it were handpicked from nature, just like the Medronho fruit.

4. Patagonia Provisions’ Kernza Pils from Sausalito, California, is brewed from kernza. This deep-rooted perennial grain reliably builds topsoil, improves water quality and prevents erosion.

5. Made from local peas, British Pod Pea Vodka offers climate-positive alcoholic pleasure. It harnesses the delicious power of the pea while protecting our planet. Pod can be characterized as an individual, modern and flavorful vodka with sweet pea notes, hints of citrus, light savory tones and a silky finish.

6. Ugly Vodka from Australia didn’t exactly get the prettiest name, but it has an even prettier background: it’s based on apples that would otherwise have ended up in the trash.

Ingredients from nature with climate hero potential

More and more food manufacturers are making efforts to replace traditional ingredients with more climate-resilient ones that are at least as nutritious and delicious. Here are some examples of potential climate heroes from nature:

1. amaranth: The grain of the foxtail plant amaranth is not actually a grain, but is used in cooking as one. It is referred to as a pseudocereal. But what it’s really about is that the plant is drought- and heat-resistant, so it defies climate change. And the grain it gives us provides valuable protein and fiber, as well as respectable amounts of calcium, magnesium and iron. What’s more, unlike the majority of real grains, it’s gluten-free, which accommodates allergy sufferers and those affected by celiac disease.

Examples of products with amaranth:

– Fig Amaranth Cookies from Yoga Superfuel in Singapore.
– Plant Based Drink made from millet and amaranth by Alt Foods from India

2. fonio millet: This particular cereal is a very easy to cultivate annual, erect, herbaceous plant. It thrives even in “poor” soil and in difficult climatic conditions with little water. Moreover, like amaranth, it is gluten-free.

Examples of products with fonio millet:

– Seed, Stalk and Root Beer by Brooklyn Brewery x Cajun Fire Brewing Company from the USA.
– Fonio Chips by Yolélé Food from Africa

3. Bambara Peanut: The legume is also known as the earth pea and grows primarily in dry areas with regular bushfires – so it’s no wonder that it is extremely climate resistant. In addition, the annual herbaceous plant is considered to regenerate soil, making it even more environmentally friendly and valuable.

Examples of products made with Bambara ground nuts:

– Bambara Ground Nuts from Local Village in Africa.
– Bam-Choco Latte from Dhow Nature Foods in Tanzania

4. Lupine: Like the Bambara peanut, lupine is a legume rich in nutrients, protein and fiber. Because it does not require heavy fertilization or sprays, it can be grown sustainably.

Examples of products made with lupins:

– Lupin coffee from Lupinion in Germany.
– Lupine-based snack bars from Lupii in the USA

5. Moringa: The moringa tree is considered the most nutritious plant on earth. Everything about it, even the bark and roots, is edible. It grows in hot and dry regions. Thus, this superfood is also one of the natural ingredients with climate hero potential.

Examples of products with moringa:

– Ice cream from Sunscoop in the USA
– Noodles from WhatIF Foods in Singapore

Food upcycling: saving what can be saved

Food upcycling is no longer just about selling unattractive fruits and vegetables. Thanks to innovative technologies and waste avoidance strategies, it is now also possible to recycle more unusual food scraps for new food products. This is an impressive response to the climate crisis and strengthens the food supply chain.

Here are some product examples of food upcycling at a glance:

– Belgian Boys Upcycled Stroopwafel: made from wafer cookie scraps.
– Pulp Pantry Tortilla Style Chips: made from fruit peels, cores, stems and pulp
– Vine to Bar Chocolate: made from dried, ground Chardonnay grapes previously pressed for wine production
– Cajú Love meat substitute: made from the cashew fruit, which is usually just a waste product from the production of cashews
– Kazoo Tortilla Chips: made from 40% corn germ obtained during the corn starch production process