One of many hottest subjects in sustainability is waste discount. After many years of extreme consumption and manufacturing cycles, it has been urged that, “Now greater than ever, individuals acknowledge the worth in each merchandise and the significance of zero waste.”1 Whereas waste is problematic throughout industries, it’s particularly acute in ours. Within the U.S., it’s estimated that we’re tossing 25% to 40% of meals grown, processed and transported…and your complete ecosystem is below stress to reverse the pattern.2 Producers, retailers, restaurant operators and customers alike are more and more targeted on decreasing meals waste of their day-to-day. It has additionally been the main focus of debate inside business commerce organizations, the place innovation on this space is each sought and inspired. Actually, waste discount will probably be one of many prime developments on show at this month’s Pure Merchandise Expo West.3
With all the complexities concerned in actively decreasing meals waste, you might be shocked to be taught that one of the complete options entails powders. Listed here are 8 causes we discover them so promising:
- Powders cut back packaging. When product quantity shrinks, so does its vessel.
- Powders cut back transportation and subsequently, emissions. Smaller vessels take up much less house in vans and delivery containers.4
- Powder formulations make transitioning from plastic to paper packaging potential. There are manufacturers using post-consumer recycled paper on this house, to essentially push the sustainability needle.5
- Powders may give new life to waste stream-bound components. It’s the proper place to include imperfect or upcycled components, which additional enhances storytelling.
- The powdered kind is just not utterly overseas. There’s proof of adoption (or not less than familiarity) within the kitchens of each customers and cooks. Issues like protein powder, powdered milk, mashed potatoes, and bouillon have been round for ages.
- Powders don’t require large studying curves or adjustments in shopper conduct. As an alternative, small behavioral modifications can present customers with tangible proof-of-action within the “conflict on waste”, in addition to ship the emotional advantages that come from making a distinction.
- Powders can assist highly effective well being and wellness claims. First, the dehydrating, freeze-drying or spray-drying step required earlier than powdering leads to solely a minimal lack of nutritional vitamins and minerals and nonetheless offers excessive dietary values.6 Second, in some situations, e.g., peanut butter, the powdered model can really enhance claims by dramatically decreasing each fats and energy vs. the normal kind.7 Third, eradicating water from formulations can oftentimes cut back dependence or get rid of the necessity for preservatives.
- Powders have the potential to command premiums. In some classes, they are going to profit from novelty, comfort, efficiency and longer shelf lives,8 and people issues create further worth for the consumer.
Now that we’ve established their reason-for-being and potential, let’s have a look at how powders are getting used.
Kitchen & Bar Hacks
- Mashed potato powder is a commerce secret for thickening sauces or soups.9
- Honey powder offers a more healthy and fewer messy sweetener, with an extended shelf life.10
- Yogurt powder, when blended with powdered sugar, cuts and balances sweetness with tang.11
- Buttermilk powder, when reconstituted with water, eliminates waste from larger-than-you-can-use containers within the fridge.12
- Lime powder, created by mad scientist bartenders, leverages vacuum-distillery, rotary evaporators, peel, juice and acid powders to increase citrus shelf life.13
- Brazil nut powder cuts prep time, whereas including taste and vitamins.14
Taste Enhancers
- Tomato powder tops popcorn and intensely flavors sauces, dressings and marinades.15
- Vanilla16 or coconut milk powder17 elevates baked items.
- Hojicha powder lends a nuttiness to desserts and drinks.18
- Plankton powder enriches sauces and seafood dishes.19
- Pineapple powder, in growth at Dole, offers a taste increase from repurposed pineapple cores.20
Protein or Meal Options
- Cricket powder offers a brand new supply of protein in shakes.21
- Meal substitute powder delivers comfort and full vitamin via full servings of protein, carbs, fiber, important fat, nutritional vitamins and minerals, and sufficient energy to switch a complete meal. Manufacturers to observe? Huel and Ambronite.22
- Meat powders are generally (and controversially) utilized in pet meals.
Dietary Augments
- FoPo, courtesy of Swedish graduate college students from Lund College, was particularly designed to help catastrophe reduction efforts in locations the place meals provide and refrigeration are in jeopardy.23
- Dietary yeast, whereas at the moment getting used so as to add umami taste, generates equal buzz round its provide of important B-vitamins, fiber and protein.24
- Superfood powders, comparable to matcha, turmeric, ginger, maca, chia or powdered leafy greens, may be integrated into drinks, dishes, cereals, and so forth.25 or present distinctive entry to unique vegatables and fruits, e.g., camu camu, or acerola.26
The above examples show potentialities to rework an abundance of perishable meals right into a kind that lasts longer and reduces waste. From fruits and veggies to dairy, nuts and meat, just about something may be dried, pulverized and utilized in new methods. As you take into account this chance, we encourage you to consider cooks, residence cooks and mixologists, makes use of and high-waste challenges throughout your portfolio, artistic targets (e.g., foodies, choosy eaters, and so forth.,) and the visible demonstrations, makes use of and hacks that may create buzz and demand. For those who get caught ideating, we suggest going outdoors the business to the wonder house, the place BYO (convey your individual water) merchandise provide an fascinating twist.
[1] “Right here Are The Prime Meals Tech And Sustainability Predictions For 2022”, Forbes, 1/10/22
[2] “FMI: 5 methods grocers can do extra to scale back meals waste”, GroceryDive, 2/14/22
[3] “Prime developments to observe for at Pure Merchandise Expo West 2022”, Grocery store Information, 2/11/22
[4] “Spray Drying Strategy of Fruit Powder: Some Components Influencing the Properties of Product”, Phisut, N., 2012
[5] “Powdered BYO Water Merchandise Are The Way forward for Sustainable Magnificence”, Elle, 2/25/21
[6] “College students flip meals into non-perishable powder”, Smithsonian Journal, 9/15/21
[7] “Peanut butter with 87% much less fats”, Meals Navigator, 4/19/21
[8] “Is Powdered Meals an Eco-Dream or is it Simply Bizarre?” Wealthy McEachran, 12/17/15
[9] “17 Sudden Powdered Meals These Cooks All the time Have in Their Pantries”, Meals & Wine, 6/02/21
[10] “17 Sudden Powdered Meals These Cooks All the time Have in Their Pantries”, Meals & Wine, 6/02/21
[11] “What the heck to do with yogurt powder?”, Food52.com, 6/06/16
[12] “Buttermilk Powder Is Not an Possibility. It Is a Necessity”, Meals & Wine, 3/09/21
[13] “Tremendous Juice is Coming for Your Daiquiri”, PUNCH, 1/14/22
[14] “10 Powdered Meals and Drinks You By no means Knew Existed however Must Begin Utilizing”, Males’s Journal, date unknown
[15] “Tomato Powder Packs Large Tomato Taste in a Very Small Jar”, Bon Appetit, 4/12/21
[16] “Easy methods to Use Taste Powders to Hack Your Meals”, myrecipes.com, 9/18/19
[17] iTitropicals.com
[18] “Hojicha Powder Provides Nutty, Roasty Taste to Desserts & Drinks”, Food52.com, 3/05/21
[19] “17 Sudden Powdered Meals These Cooks All the time Have in Their Pantries”, Meals & Wine, 6/02/21
[20] “Banana leaf packaging and pineapple powder: How Dole plans to get rid of meals waste by 2025”, Quick Firm, 6/30/20
[21] “10 Powdered Meals and Drinks You By no means Knew Existed however Must Begin Utilizing”, Males’s Journal, date unknown
[22] “Is Powdered Meals an Eco-Dream or is it Simply Bizarre?” Wealthy McEachran, 12/17/15
[23] “College students flip meals into non-perishable powder”, Smithsonian, 9/15/21
[24] “Dietary yeast launched”, Meals Navigator, 1/17/22
[25] “8 Finest Superfood Powders, In accordance with a Registered Dietitian”, Good Housekeeping, 2/13/19
[26] “Vegetable Powders: A Recreation Changer in The Wholesome Meals Motion”, NutriFusion, 11/29/16