It is possible? Naturally. An American startup is showing the way. They developed a technique to get dairy products without animal milk. What are the characteristics of this type of food?
The milk alternative was developed by Perfect Day from California. It uses mushrooms to make a novel milk protein. It is “molecularly identical” to cow’s milk protein. It is explained by its co-founder, Ryan Pandya.
Milk, but not milk
“We were interested in the question of what is in milk (…), what gives it unbelievable versatility and nutrition. Something that is somehow missing in milk of plant origin », He said Pandja.
The company has succeeded in introducing the gene that codes for the whey protein in cow’s milk into mushrooms. So they were grown in fermentation tanks. And this is how the mushroom produces the milk protein. Then it goes through a filtering process. And the resulting product is dried into a powder. You can use it to make cheese, yogurt, ice cream, among other things.
What is the market they are targeting with this replacement? It’s for “people who still love dairy products”. But they want to feel better about themselves, the planet and the animal, ”says Pandya.
Environmental efficiency
This new product does not contain lactose. Anyway, it’s not for everyone. Consumption of the protein developed by Perfect Day is not recommended for people with a milk allergy. The food, on the other hand, is considered suitable for vegans. The production process does not include animals.
Milk protein of fungal origin is more ecological. The Perfect Day production is “dramatically more efficient,” says Pandya. Produces up to 97% less greenhouse gas emissions. Dairy products without animal milk would not only make vegans happy. They are also efficient for the environment.
