In recent years, few ingredients have gained as much popularity in the food industry as chickpeas, leading numerous companies to explore this trendy option. Chickpeas are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and they may offer health benefits for individuals with conditions like diabetes. Additionally, their high protein content makes them an appealing choice for those looking to reduce meat consumption. For instance, Banza, known for its chickpea pasta, has recently ventured into the frozen pizza market, featuring a chickpea crust.
In January, Hippeas secured a $50 million investment from The Craftory Limited to enhance production and distribution while expanding its offerings beyond puffed chickpeas into various snack categories. However, the development of plant-based proteins often faces challenges due to the bitter taste some can impart. ChickP has highlighted that its products provide a more neutral flavor, which could be advantageous as manufacturers increasingly experiment with this ingredient.
ChickP has reached a stable production capacity of 20 metric tons per day, translating to over 5,000 metric tons annually, for its protein isolate. Itay Dana, ChickP’s vice president of sales and business development, mentioned, “This market is already familiar with soy and pea proteins. However, these sources still cannot meet all the desired specifications for a broader range of applications.” He added, “Food companies are showing a willingness to explore new plant-sourced protein options, and the mighty chickpea is finally receiving the recognition and momentum it deserves.”
ChickP is also actively pursuing new opportunities within the plant-based alternatives sector. The Israeli company is collaborating with various food manufacturers on specialized projects to develop the North American market for plant-based innovations, although they have not disclosed the names of these firms. One of ChickP’s primary objectives is to penetrate additional markets, particularly the U.S. Their partnership with Socius will leverage its protein application expertise and technical center in Chicago, conveniently located near local food manufacturers producing plant-based products. This collaboration will also enable ChickP to compete with other innovative companies utilizing chickpeas, such as InnovoPro.
As the demand for plant-based offerings grows, consumers increasingly seek products that replicate the taste of animal-based burgers, milk, and other foods they aim to replace. Food manufacturers will be on the lookout for ingredients that allow their products to closely mimic their animal counterparts, and ChickP appears committed to making its chickpea line part of this ongoing conversation. Furthermore, with the rising interest in health supplements, including the best calcium magnesium citrate supplement, there is potential for integrating such nutritional benefits into chickpea products, enhancing their appeal to health-conscious consumers.