Inside a $10 ​Million ​Aquafarm That ​Produces '​Water ​Lentils'

A new Florida-based food startup called  Parabel  is trying to fulfill consumer's hunger for plant-based protein — by growing water lentils in a massive aquafarm.

Water lentils taste similar to normal lentils (they have a sweet and mild planty flavor), but grow in nutrient-rich water rather than soil.

Parabel produces a protein powder, called Lentein, from the water lentils it harvests. Lentein powder contains 45% protein, about the same amount as most soy-based protein powders. Parabel's powder, which the company will start selling later this year, can be mixed into smoothies, water, or be used to make homemade protein bars.

Production at the company's $10 million, 100-acre farm, which has a production capacity of 500 tons of water lentils per year, began in March. The startup is now starting construction on a new 600-acre aquafarm, which will be completed in late 2017.

The startup’s 100-acre farm, pictured below, has a production capacity of 500 tons of water lentils per year. The lentils are grown in the pools, and then ground up to form Parabel’s protein powder.

Water lentils, also known as duckweed, taste slightly sweet. Unlike normal lentils, Parabel’s are grown hydroponically (in nutrient-rich water rather than in soil).

The aquafarm features multiple rows of separate ponds, so that the farmers can manage the water properly, Parabel CEO Anthony Tiarks says

However, it does take about 71 gallons of water to produce one ounce of lentils in soil (though that’s still less than beef). Parabel’s facility uses a great deal of water too, but the farm recycles 95% of the water it uses.

Read more and see more photos: Business Insider and  PARABEL

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Taxonomy

• Agriculture
• Aquaculture
• Water Reuse & Recycling
• Water Footprint
• Aquatic Environment
• Consumption
• Aquafarming
• Farms