A new plant-based milk made from water lentils may soon be available, thanks to Florida-based startup Parabel USA. The minimally processed milk is made from the free-floating, high-protein micro aquatic plant otherwise known as duckweed or lemna/lemnaceae. According to Parabel, water lentils contain levels of essential amino acids and BCAAs that are comparable to animal-based whey and are higher than other plant proteins, including soy. The plant can double in mass in 24 to 36 hours and can be harvested everyday, year round, making it advantageous over other plant-based protein sources. Parabel’s water lentil ingredient has already secured a “no objections” letter from the United States Food and Drug Administration affirming the GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status. “We are all elated to have achieved this breakthrough innovation,” Parabel chief technology officer Peter Sherlock told media outlet Food Navigator-USA. “Our lentil milk is similar in color to regular milk and captures the extraordinary, high-quality protein and mineral benefits of water lentils while containing no allergens.” Parabel, which also makes protein flour, concentrates, and isolates from water lentils, is currently considering its options for bringing the water lentil milk to market. Last year, California-based startup Plantible Foods began working on scaling and optimizing its production processes to incorporate water lentils in various new food formulas such as vegan eggs.

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