GoodMills Innovation launches co-extruded wheat and fava protein flakes for fibrous plant-based texture

GoodMills Innovation has introduced a new addition to its plant-based portfolio: VITATEX Wheat Fava Flakes SVP Pro, a co-extruded protein texturate that delivers a fibrous texture and structural integrity in a variety of meat-alternative applications.

The innovation lies in the co-extrusion process, which simultaneously texturizes wheat gluten and fava bean protein to form a cohesive protein matrix. “This creates a cross-linked protein network with pronounced layers and a firm bite,” commented Antje Dittrich, Group Manager Plant-Based at GoodMills Innovation. “Unlike proteins that are extruded separately and then blended, co-extrusion enables a high degree of cohesion that remains intact during processing.”

The ingredient is engineered to perform under a wide range of processing conditions, including high heat, mechanical stress, and various cooking methods such as frying, deep-frying, and pasteurization. It also withstands freezing and thawing cycles without compromising its texture. The coarse granulation allows the flakes to be handled efficiently after short soaking and makes them well-suited to absorb flavors and colorants.

VITATEX Wheat Fava Flakes SVP Pro is intended for use in plant-based applications requiring a meat-like fibrous texture, such as pulled meat, sliced stir-fried dishes, and grilled skewers. “In concepts like pulled meat or stir-fried slices, it’s essential that the fibres separate in the mouth while retaining their structure – and this is exactly what our new texturate delivers,” said Dittrich.

The ingredient can be combined with other texturates, including short-fiber options, to achieve customized texture profiles for different products. From a nutritional standpoint, the combination of wheat and fava bean proteins offers a more complete amino acid profile. Fava beans help address wheat’s naturally low lysine content, while wheat adds methionine, resulting in a complementary and balanced protein source. Both ingredients are sourced from European suppliers, with fava beans contributing to regenerative farming systems.

VITATEX Wheat Fava Flakes SVP Pro carries a clean label and is non-GMO. It has been designed to support both large-scale industrial production and smaller-scale manufacturing. GoodMills Innovation also offers technical support to assist manufacturers in integrating the new texturate into their product development processes.