Food tech startup Nocoa has produced the world’s first 100% cocoa-free chocolate, to pursue a more environmentally friendly product. Traditionally, the use of cocoa beans has led to problems such as water waste, deforestation, disturbance of ecosystems and child labour.
Nocoa is made using a natural fermentation process that involves oats and oleaginous yeast, an alternative to cocoa beans and palm oil. By producing its product in this way, the company emits 90% less carbon when making one kilo of chocolate. Currently, the company is producing cocoa butter, cocoa powder and their chocolate.The all new food technology is made with 100% natural ingredients and is suitable for vegans. They also have four different versions of Nocoa: baking-proof, one for enrobing, one for making chocolate chips, as well as organic and sugar-free versions.
Headquartered in Munich, Germany, Nocoa is owned by Planet A Foods and was founded in 2021 by chocolate-fanatics and siblings Sara and Max. They decided it was time to turn their attention to the massive problems in not only the cocoa industry, but in today’s global food landscape.
With a team of a group of food technologists, marketers, and supply chain wizards behind them, Nocoa are contributing to protecting the planet by reducing their carbon footprint. The company has raised a total fund of $6.1m, which includes investment from Y Combinator, Cherry Ventures, Fifty Years, and the World Climate Fund.
Sources: Planet A Foods, Crunchbase
