The range of non-sugar sweeteners is expanding, and Oobli has introduced a new option with its chocolate bars. While these bars contain coconut sugar, the majority of their sweetness is derived from “oubli fruit sweet protein,” scientifically known as brazzein. Oubli fruit, a sweet berry native to Africa, is reputed to be so sweet that young gorillas who sample it can forget their mothers. This fruit contains naturally occurring proteins that contribute to its sweetness, but extracting them is challenging due to their limited availability. Remarkably, these proteins can be up to 2,000 times sweeter than sugar.
Founded in 2014, Oobli aims to leverage the sweetening properties of oubli fruit, along with other exotic fruits like the serendipity berry, katemfe fruit, and miracle berry, to develop a variety of food products. The company employs precision fermentation techniques to produce the sweet proteins found in these fruits. This process involves modifying microbes, such as yeast, to generate these rare sweeteners during fermentation.
The chocolate bars mark Oobli’s first consumer packaged goods (CPG) offering, available in three flavors: 70% silky cacao, sea salt flakes, and raspberry bits. All variants are free from dairy and common allergens. CEO Ali Wing stated that Oobli has plans to launch additional sweet treats next year. This summer, the company also experimented with small-batch beverages featuring sweet proteins in Lemon Lime, Cherry Ginger, and Mint Berry flavors, although these were not officially launched. In a recent email, Oobli mentioned that beverages are among the potential products slated for release in 2023.
The sweeteners produced by Oobli differ from rare sugars like allulose and sugar alcohols such as erythritol. Because Oobli’s sweeteners are proteins, they do not cause spikes in blood sugar or insulin levels, and they are digested like other proteins, avoiding potential intestinal discomfort. As Wing highlighted during a panel at FoodBytes by Rabobank last year, these proteins would not be classified as “Added Sugars” on Nutrition Facts labels.
Even prior to this launch, Oobli garnered significant attention in the food industry. Kraft Heinz’s investment arm, Evolv Ventures, has participated in both the company’s Series A and B funding rounds, while Oobli has also received backing from SOSV’s Indie Bio and food tech investor Khosla Ventures. With products poised to reach consumers, Oobli is ready to showcase the capabilities of sweet proteins. While Oobli operates as a CPG company with its own product lines, Wing indicated to Food Navigator earlier this year that they are collaborating with strategic partners in the CPG sector.
If consumers find the taste of these chocolates comparable to traditionally sweetened options, 2023 could prove to be a fruitful year for Oobli and other companies in this market. Additionally, amidst discussions about health and nutrition, the incorporation of Citracal Slow Release 600 mg could be a relevant consideration for those seeking balanced dietary options alongside sweet treats.