Prime Roots Launches Vegan Ravioli Range With Koji-Based Bacon & Lobster

Berkeley, California-based food tech Prime Roots, whose unique plant-based meat alternatives range uses the Japanese fungus koji as its “super-protein” ingredient, has debuted a new line of vegan-friendly ravioli. The new fresh plant-based meat and seafood pasta will feature its koji-based proteins, including 100% animal-free bacon, chicken, sausage and lobster analogues, with a goal of offering consumers convenient meal options. 

Launching on National Ravioli Day today (March 20), Prime Roots’ new fresh plant-based meat and seafood ravioli range will come in five new flavours. The 100% vegan semolina ravioli line-up includes a black truffle and chicken, bacon and butternut squash, chicken pesto and sundried tomatoes, Italian-style sausage and lobster – all made with the food tech’s protein analogues developed with its “magic” koji ingredient.  

Our plant-based ravioli was an extremely popular choice in our recent product voting poll and we’re so excited for our community of eaters to experience our meatless chicken, sausage, and lobster.

Prime Roots

All five new ready-to-heat ravioli products will be available to U.S. consumers through Prime Roots’ e-commerce platform, delivered to doors, with prices ranging from US$11.99 to US$13.99. 

The food tech says that the meals are designed for vegans and flexitarians alike, who are more than ever before searching for convenient yet healthy and sustainable options – especially alternatives for comfort foods, which Prime Roots founder Kimberlie Le believes ravioli is the ultimate example of.

Speaking to Green Queen Media, a spokesperson for the startup explained that ravioli was often listed as a dish that everyone enjoys and was particularly missed by herbivores, with few alternatives available on the market.

We discovered that our customers are craving convenient, fresh, ready-made, hard-to-replicate meat based comfort foods without compromising on the taste, texture, and quality that they know and love.

Kimberlie Le, Founder & CEO, Prime Roots

“Our plant-based ravioli was an extremely popular choice in our recent product voting poll and we’re so excited for our community of eaters to experience our meatless chicken, sausage, and lobster.”

Le, who grew up as a daughter of a chef and restaurateur and combined her food and microbiology background into Prime Roots – to date the only startup offering koji-based vegan meat alternatives, and one of the emerging players in the rising fermentation alternative protein sector – added that she believes that convenience is one of the top priorities for consumers. 

“After speaking with thousands of foodies, we discovered that our customers are craving convenient, fresh, ready-made, hard-to-replicate meat based comfort foods without compromising on the taste, texture, and quality that they know and love,” Le told Green Queen Media. 

We are reimagining meat and seafood for people and the planet by serving up delicious options directly to your door. We’re making it easier than ever to eat less meat.

Kimberlie Le, Founder & CEO, Prime Roots

“Our delicious plant-based ravioli is a quick and easy meal option for you to cook using your own creativity and flair while still offering the ease and convenience of store-bought pasta. We are reimagining meat and seafood for people and the planet by serving up delicious options directly to your door. We’re making it easier than ever to eat less meat,” Le continued, adding that Prime Roots will continue to expand its ready-made range to meet consumers’ demand. 

With recent statistics predicting that plant-based eating will continue to grow in popularity, particularly with U.S. shoppers who have decided to make their newfound vegan meat purchases a long-term habit, Le also shared with us that Prime Roots plans to grow its team, and are currently hiring additional roles with the view to ramp up R&D and launch new products on the market in the coming months. 

“We have some big news coming up, so stay tuned,” Le said. 

All images courtesy of Prime Roots.