Potatoes and eggs look alike, but now they share more than shape. Two startups, Awevo and PoLoPo, are turning potatoes into egg substitutes. This change goes beyond appearance, diving into functionality. Can potatoes replace eggs? These startups say yes. They are at the forefront of potato egg replacer startups.
A Close Look At The Potato-Based Egg Revolution
Awevo, a Spanish startup, launched its first product, Awevo liquid eggs, in Europe. These plant-based eggs taste, feel, and look like real eggs. They have no cholesterol or saturated fats, making them healthier. You can use them for scrambled eggs, omelets, cakes, and more.
Awevo also released Awevo Clara, a powdered egg white alternative. It is allergen-free and works in recipes needing egg whites, like meringues and macarons. “They will challenge all your senses,” the company said on its website.
Awevo’s goal is to offer a more ethical and sustainable option. Their production uses 90-percent less greenhouse gas emissions, 83-percent less land, and 95-percent less water than chicken eggs. They plan to create more products, like boiled and poached eggs with runny yolks.
PoLoPo, another startup, uses molecular farming to grow egg proteins inside potatoes. Founded by plant metabolic engineers Maya Sapir-Mir, PhD, and Raya Liberman-Aloni, PhD, PoLoPo raised $1.75 million to develop this technology.
PoLoPo’s process makes potatoes produce high amounts of amino acids. These are building blocks for protein. This turns potatoes into micro-factories for egg proteins, replacing chickens. Their main target is Ovalbumin, the key protein in egg whites, and the $26.6 billion egg protein market.
“The technology allows us to express proteins in potatoes in a scalable, cost-effective way,” Sapir-Mir said. “With this substantial funding, we aim to reach several significant milestones, including protein-rich potato tubers and Ovalbumin functional samples.”
Potatoes are grown in more than 100 countries. They are abundant, resilient, and cheap. PoLoPo’s method uses common agricultural practices, making it scalable.
“We want to produce better food for the world,” Liberman-Aloni said. “Molecular farming technology, being harnessed for the production of high-quality proteins, presents a huge opportunity to do so, alongside taking the animals out of the equation and reducing the carbon footprint of the production process.”
In May, PoLoPo applied for a Regulatory Status Review with the USDA. This step is for getting regulatory approval. “The production of Ovalbumin in plants, not animals, will transform food processing with a price- and supply chain-stable option and set off a domino effect on sustainability, a big first step toward changing our food industry,” Sapir-Mir said. Approval is expected within six months.
How Potato Eggs Are Redefining Sustainability In Our Diets
Awevo’s and PoLoPo’s products are not just healthier, they are better for the planet. Awevo’s eggs use less water, land, and produce fewer greenhouse gasses. This makes them a smart choice for eco-conscious consumers. PoLoPo’s technology aims to cut down on animal farming’s carbon footprint. These potato egg replacer startups are leading the way.
New Roles As Dairy Replacers And Nutritional Powerhouses
Beyond eggs, potatoes are replacing dairy. In Sweden, DUG makes vegan milk from potatoes. It’s more sustainable than oat milk. The Simple Root uses potatoes and parsnips for creamy, dairy-free cheeses.
Eating potatoes has many benefits. They are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals like vitamin C, B6, magnesium, folate, and manganese. They also have more potassium per serving than bananas.
Research from Pennsylvania State University shows eating one medium potato a day, steamed or baked without salt or fat, can be part of a healthy diet. Potatoes do not raise the risk of type 2 diabetes when cooked healthily. Boiled potatoes have a neutral effect on diabetes risk.
Potatoes also help with weight loss and metabolism. Studies show they can be as effective as milk protein in building muscle. They also help children eat more vegetables. A study in Nutrients found kids ate more veggies when potatoes were included in their meals.
Potatoes are not just food; they are a revolution. From replacing eggs to being a health booster, these tubers are changing our diets and our world. Potato egg replacer startups are at the heart of this change.
