You know concept cars, the sleek, futuristic prototypes designed to push boundaries and spark imaginations. Now, meet concept food. Finnish foodtech company Solar Foods is rolling out Solein Protein Bites, a snack made with its space-age protein, Solein, in the United States. Unlike traditional plant or animal proteins, Solein is cultivated using air and electricity. Yes, you read that right.
This is food un-tethered from farms, fields, and factories. Instead, Solar Foods wants to show the world its protein, created via fermentation, not livestock or crops, can be just as delicious, functional, and, crucially, sustainable.
Solein isn’t just another plant-based alternative trying to mimic meat or dairy. It is its own category, offering the full spectrum of essential amino acids like animal protein, minus the cholesterol and saturated fats. Unlike soy and pea protein, it naturally contains iron and vitamin B12. And in terms of sustainability? It leaves traditional protein sources in the dust, requiring no farmland, minimal water, and no reliance on unpredictable weather conditions.
“For this first product concept, we wanted to choose the beloved flavours of hazelnuts and peanut butter to demonstrate how seamlessly Solein fits into existing, popular product categories and flavours already on the market,” says Juan Manuel Benítez-García, Chief Commercial Officer at Solar Foods.
Solar Foods’ debut snack, Solein Protein Bites – Nut Mix Edition, is as indulgent as it is functional. Each chewy, chocolate-coated bite is packed with peanut butter and hazelnuts, while delivering a hit of protein, iron, and vitamin B12. The best part? It’s 100% animal-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, and cholesterol-free, catering to various dietary needs without compromising on taste.
“This is just one example of what Solein can do,” says Benítez-García. “By tweaking the formulation, it can be adapted for performance nutrition, high-fibre snacks, or even specialised dietary needs.”
Solar Foods is targeting the Health & Performance Nutrition segment in the U.S., a market fueled by fitness trends and the ever-growing demand for protein-packed, nutrient-dense, and sustainable foods. The company is gearing up for a major showcase at Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim and SXSW in Austin, where it will introduce industry players to the potential of Solein.
“With Solein, we’re setting a new standard for nutritional protein,” says Benítez-García. “Consumers want great taste, high functionality, and sustainability. Solein delivers all three.”
Solein is cultivated through a precision fermentation process using microbes, air, and renewable electricity to produce 78% protein content (dry weight) along with fibre, essential minerals, and just 2% carbohydrates. It’s food made without traditional agriculture - free from animal, deforestation, over-fishing, or water waste.
Concept cars may never hit the streets, but concept food? It’s already here. And if Solar Foods has its way, Solein won’t just be a futuristic snack, it’ll be a food system revolution.
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