In the heart of Solar Foods' headquarters lies the Solein Kitchen, a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to exploring the culinary possibilities of Solein®, a revolutionary microbial protein grown with air and electricity. This innovative kitchen serves as both a playground for culinary experimentation and a showcase for the future of how sustainable food production will be an achievement of both science and the culinary arts.

The summer experiment

Solar Foods challenged their in-house chef, Miikka Manninen, to create three summer-inspired dishes using Solein. The result? A delectable feast featuring a Solein cream cheese -like spread, a protein-rich salad dressing, and surprisingly, macarons.

“I was initially hesitant to share how well the macarons turned out because I had never seen a vegan substitute work so perfectly! But with Solein, we crafted a version that holds its structure and tastes fantastic,” Miikka exclaimed.

Meticulous product development

The journey from Solein powder to a versatile culinary ingredient involves meticulous product development. According to Anna Häkämies, head of product development at Solar Foods, the initial versions of Solein mayonnaise and cream cheese were already crafted in 2021. “We started these experiments in a basic home kitchen setup before we had access to our current facilities,” Anna explained. 

“Creating a dairy or egg substitute from Solein involves replicating the functional properties of these ingredients. For instance, in our experiments with Solein cream cheese, we found it replicates the creamy texture and rich flavour profile remarkably well, making it an excellent base for both savoury and sweet applications,” Anna noted. “At one point, we realised that Solein could be used as an egg yolk substitute. It not only emulsifies and binds like egg yolk but also offers additional nutrients that are not present in egg yolks.”

Bringing Solein to the home kitchen

The Solein Kitchen is designed to make sustainable eating accessible and appealing to the average consumer. “My goal is to discover and demonstrate how Solein is incredibly practical and easy to use,” said Miikka. He emphasised Solein’s versatility: “I’ve yet to find a dish where Solein doesn’t fit. It’s a versatile ingredient suitable for both savoury and sweet foods and products. Its taste and versatility are akin to browned butter, the heart of French cuisine. It’s nutty, fits well with almost anything, and enhances other flavours.”

Anna highlighted the importance of creating positive associations with Solein: “Solein Kitchen allows you to experience Solein personally, without any preconceived notions or biases. It's a place where they can taste, smell, and see how Solein integrates into various dishes, creating memorable culinary sensations.”

Not isolated plant protein but a whole food

“Solein stands out from plant-based isolated proteins because it is a whole food, containing not just protein but also fibre, fats, vitamins, and minerals. This holistic composition sets Solein apart from typical plant-based proteins,” Anna explained. The creation of Factory 01 marks a significant milestone in Solar Foods' mission to commercialise a new type of food production and the Solein Kitchen is an integral part of that. Unlike traditional agriculture, Solein’s production does not depend on arable land or large quantities of water. This makes it a sustainable solution, capable of being produced 24/7, irrespective of climate conditions.

Both Miikka and Anna believe that many Solein food applications are ready for food brands to bring to the market. “The foods we’ve created with Solein, like the cream cheese, mayonnaise, and macarons, are ready to be adapted to the food industry. They meet the taste, texture, and nutritional expectations of consumers, making them ideal for commercial availability.”

The Solein summer menu

To showcase the incredible potential of Solein, Solein Kitchen has produced a series of videos featuring the summer dishes created by chef Miikka Manninen. These include the smooth and rich Solein spread, the luscious Solein salad dressing packed with protein, and the light, airy Solein macarons. Each dish not only highlights the culinary versatility of Solein but also its potential to transform our approach to food. Consumers can enjoy the foods they know and love without having to forgo taste, texture or nutritional value. Here’s to a tastier future.

Watch the Solein Kitchen videos on Solein's site.