Luya

Luya - the alternative to meat that doesn't try to be meat

In Switzerland, 30% of all food is lost or wasted along the food supply chain - from field to fork. One striking example is okara, a valuable and nutritious by-product from soymilk and tofu production. Over 2’000 tonnes are produced in Switzerland every year and mostly end up in biogas production. We want to change this, therefore we developed Luya: The alternative to meat from rescued organic okara.

We are a team of passionate chefs, food technologists and epicureans. With your help we can rescue valuable okara and bring it back to our plates. We use natural fermentations to transform okara into delicious Luya burger patties, slices or chunks. Luya is a real alternative to meat, not just another meat imitation. Chefs and our many test eaters enjoyed its juiciness, intense taste and tender bite.

Luya is made from local organic ingredients, is free from additives or artificial aromas and is rich in healthy fiber and protein. You can easily fry Luya in a pan or oven and simply use it as a topping for salads and bowls, in curries and stews or in burgers, sandwiches and tacos!

We need a new food system and with your help we can make it sustainable and circular. As a plant-based protein source and by using a rescued by-product, Luya has a double impact on the improvement of our food system: Together we can reduce meat consumption and reduce food loss.

Help us bringing Luya to your table!

A truly sustainable protein source made in Switzerland

Luya is not only a new kind of protein source, it is also made with a circular and sustainable approach in mind:

A NEW CULINARY EXPERIENCE

With Luya we wanted to create a real alternative to meat, not just a meat copy. We want to enrich the plant-based cooking repertoire with new culinary possibilities. Luya is easy to cook with and can be creatively used in classic dishes and new creations.

ORGANIC AND MADE IN SWITZERLAND

Today we often do not know where the ingredients in our food come from and only a small fraction is produced under organic practices. We work with okara from local tofu producers that use only high quality organic soy beans from Switzerland and Italy and we produce Luya in Zollikofen outside of Berne.

TRULY SUSTAINABLE

Okara, the main ingredient of Luya, is created during the production of soymilk and tofu. In this process soybeans are watered, milled and pressed. The resulting liquid is used as soy milk or further processed to tofu. Okara is the solid parts that remain after pressing – similar to the pulp that remains after pressing an orange. Unfortunately most of the okara ends up in biogas production today. With Luya we avoid this unnecessary food loss and use our valuable resources fully.

NATURAL AND HEALTHY

Luya is a natural source of fibre and protein and contains a healthy amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Besides creating Luya’s delicious taste, our fermentation makes the nutrients easier to absorb for your body. Luya requires no artificial aromas, no binders or protein powders. This is good for you and tastes great.

Help us making the next step

Our small scale production at the Berner Fachhochschule is up and running and Luya is already available in several restaurants. Our next ambition is to bring Luya to your tables at home and save even more okara. This requires establishing a larger production in Zollikofen and we have to create a suitable design and packaging for our products. This is where your help is required!

With CHF 25’000 we can upgrade our production set-up and buy a larger fermentation chamber and processing equipment.

With CHF 50’000 we can develop a suitable design and packaging for our products and rent a packaging unit.

With CHF 75’000 we can start the development of new products and in the future save many more by-products of the food industry.

Support us in bringing a truly sustainable food product to life!