News

Caju Love startup is making meat out of cashews

Hawaiian startup Caju Love recently launched a vegan meat alternative made from cashew fruit. Typically, cashew fruit is considered a waste product in the nut and juice industry, so the company chose this fiber-filled fruit in an effort to create a zero-waste protein alternative, according to a press release from the company.

”The fruit is full of health benefits and cooks just like chicken, pork, tuna and ground meat—it is delicious,” said Cajú Love co-founder Felipe Barreneche in a release. The company described the fruit as “Sweet, acidic and a little savory.”

Not only is the flesh of cashew fruit reportedly easy to cook and flavorful, but it is rich in fat, fiber, minerals, protein and vitamin C, which the company claims can help fight inflammation, protect brain health and support healthy blood sugar levels.

In addition to providing another novel vegan protein alternative to the market, Caju Love aligns itself with consumers looking to incorporate sustainable protein solutions into their diets. By diverting biowaste and using the fruit fibers as a plant-based meat alternative, the company emphasized that cashew fruit meat doesn't require any additional water or land for production, making it one of the most sustainable meatless options.

"When I found out that cashew nuts grew on a fruit that was considered waste in the nut industry, I knew we had to do something to change that,” said Barreneche. “My mission is to share with the world a quality whole food plant-based meat alternative that is good for you and sustainable."

Currently, the company is selling its meat alternative through its website packs of four, 7-ounce pouches for $29.99 or as part of a monthly subscription.

Caju Love is promoting a 0% food waste lifestyle and is focused on expanding the production scale of its vegan meat to help alleviate the waste generated by the millions of cashew fruit by-products generated annually.