Fabalish leverages in-house production to expand its chickpea snacks & condiments
Rather than discarding the water used to cook the chickpeas for Fabalish’s falafels, Founder and Co-CEO Jessica Gebel noted how aquafaba’s emulsifying properties were ideal in making plant-based condiments.
The company showcased its line of refrigerated chickpea-forward falafel, dessert bites, sauces and dips during the Plant-Based World Expo in New York City last week.
Self-manufacturing allows for flexibility in production, R&D and collaborations
As an in-house manufacturer, Fabalish maintains control over production, which allows the brand to experiment freely, like its upcoming protein cookies and aquafaba whipped cream.
This also allows the brand to collaborate with other influencers and brands, like True Made Ketchup (Fry Sauce) and Mr. Bing (Chili Crisp Ranch), to create co-branded products. In collaboration with vegan chef, Leslie Durso, Fabalish will release a Basil Aioli and is available for pre-order on the company’s website.
Gebel said that these collaborations will create a “shared halo effect where people can learn about us and other people can create a product out of their own kitchen. They give us ideas; we make it for them.”
Creating ‘comfort classics’ with chickpeas and aquafaba
“[Aquafaba] is an emulsifier. It is a great egg and dairy replacement, not completely like a full egg white, but very similar,” Gebel told FoodNavigator-USA.
In its whipped format, aquafaba turns “fluffy and white” and exhibits a neutral flavor, which allows for sweet or savory profiles, she said.
When developing the condiments, Gebel was inspired by “comfort classics” like ranch. As a former personal chef who cooked for clients with food allergies, chickpeas and aquafaba provided her with versatility around taste, texture and nutritional profile, which lead her to create sauces that are USDA Organic, vegan, gluten-free, soy-free and top nine allergen-free..
The brand offers seven sauces and dips made with six ingredients, including Organic Tzatziki, Fry Sauce (a vegan twist on a ketchup and mayonnaise mix), Organic Ranch, Organic Queso, Chili Crisp Ranch, Organic Chipotle Mayo and Organic Mayo.
The brand’s line of chickpea-forward bites range from savory and sweet and can be heated. The Falafel Bites include Zesty Zucchini, Kickin’ Carrot and “Cheddary” Broccoli and its Brownie Bites include Classy Chocolate, Bombshell Blondie and Rich Raspberry and sweetened with coconut sugar.
Fabalish intends to expand its dessert line with a more protein-focused cookie and an aquafaba cream, Gebel said.
