Researchers at Appalachian State University have developed a new plant-based milk made from sweet potatoes, a staple crop in North Carolina. The innovation is the result of a $1.82 million grant and aims to reduce food waste by utilizing lower-grade sweet potatoes that are currently left to rot in fields.
From Research to Business
The project, led by Brett Taubman, director of the Fermentation Sciences Department at App State, has led to the creation of a company called Rootsii. The company plans to make the sweet potato milk available in Western North Carolina within the next year, with expansion statewide slated for year two.
The milk is described as slightly sweet with an orange tinge and creamy texture, making it suitable for coffee, cereal, and everyday uses. Rootsii is partnering with regional grocery stores to conduct consumer testing on different versions of the milk and is also developing new products like creamers and yogurts.
A North Carolina Product
The sweet potato milk is being touted as a 100% North Carolina product, with plans to switch to muscadine grape seed oil, a common byproduct of the state’s wine industry, to further localize the production chain. However, the company currently faces hurdles in sourcing the oil for food purposes.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
