Our journey started with a simple question: what makes milk milk? If we could figure out what key ingredients give milk its amazing nutrition and ability to make so many delicious foods, we could create a way to make those foods without animals. We discovered that milk proteins — whey and casein — are the secret: these complex molecules are perfectly structured to deliver creamy, melty dairy deliciousness.
All proteins in nature are encoded by specific sequences of DNA called genes. Amazingly, every living creature on earth can understand the same genetic code. So, to create an animal-free version of milk protein, we simply had to introduce animal (cow) genes to an organism that wasn’t an animal.
The actual cow genes can be obtained noninvasively, from hairs or even a cheek swab. For us, it was even easier: we got the genes from free, digitally published scientific databases.
We chose microflora (microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, or in our case, fungi) to make our protein because they have a long history of safe use, making ingredients in many foods you eat today, and because microflora are particularly good at producing animal proteins. We gave our microflora the genetic blueprint corresponding to whey protein, enabling it to produce real milk protein — identical to what cows produce. Now, as our flora graze on simple plant-based inputs, they naturally produce milk protein.
To maximize the amount of protein we can produce (and for the most sustainable process), we grow our flora in large fermentation tanks at the optimal temperature, pH, and salinity. By following a strict cleaning regimen for our tanks and ensuring they’re a closed system, isolated from the outside world, we can ensure we’re making some of the purest, safest milk protein in the world.
Our animal-free milk proteins are identical to the ones found in cow’s milk. They are Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA and are some of the purest proteins in the food industry. Because we make only pure protein, not whole milk, you won’t find any lactose, cholesterol, hormones, or antibiotics in our product.
Our product is a protein like no other in the world. It’s packed with more nutrition per gram than anything else we know of, and it performs exactly as you’d expect in traditional dairy processes and recipes. And it’s all 100% animal-free. Now we can all continue to enjoy the foods we’ve loved for generations, but in a kinder, greener world. That means your favorite yogurt, cheese, ice cream, milk, and more — made better with Perfect Day.
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