Foodtech Cuíca joins forces with Tetra Pak to launch Amazon nut milk

Cuíca , a Brazilian foodtech that develops food and beverages with plant-based ingredients from Brazilian biomes, has chosen Tetra Pak , a world leader in food processing and packaging solutions, to launch its first Amazon nut milk. The Swedish multinational provided the structure of its pilot plant so that Cuíca could test the product's formulation before its launch and arrival at retail.

Tetra Pak's pilot plant is located at the Customer Innovation Center (CIC) in the city of Monte Mor, São Paulo. The site has equipment and mechanisms for experiments and testing, with all the structure necessary for companies of any size to understand whether the product meets the expectations of the end consumer.

“Tetra Pak was super important throughout the development, from the test we carried out at the pilot plant to choosing the most suitable packaging for our product based on its characteristics,” says Bianca Oglouyan, founder of Cuíca.

In addition to the pilot plant structure, Cuíca had the support of Tetra Pak to find co-packers to package the product. In the co-packing model, the food and beverage manufacturer relies on a company that has Tetra Pak's infrastructure and equipment to manufacture and package the product.

“Any company or brand, regardless of its size or sector, can produce its beverage or display its brand on Tetra Pak long-life packaging. With collaboration as its core element, this packaging model brings an innovative approach to those who do not have their own production facilities, which is often the case for startups and companies that are in the early stages of their activity,” notes Luis Kühl, sales and business development director at Tetra Pak Brazil.

Cuíca: nutrition and sustainability in a box

Cuíca's mission is to create products that respect nature, promote sustainability and generate a positive impact on both the environment and local communities. Founder Bianca Oglouyan says that she and her partner Cristina Frange value ancestral heritage and work in partnership with indigenous peoples, ensuring that each product carries the authentic flavor of the Amazon and the responsibility of preserving the future of the planet. Cuíca's proposal is to combine innovation, flavor and purpose, always focusing on respect for biodiversity and a commitment to social and environmental sustainability.

“In addition to all the infrastructure that made it possible to bring the product to life, the partnership with Tetra Pak offers us something very important: packaging that does not require the use of preservatives, since its technology allows us to have a clean label product, with only four ingredients, something that is in line with our strategy of having a sustainable product. And along with all this, the one-year shelf life provided by the box is a great advantage, since our focus is on exports”, says Bianca Oglouyan.

The nuts used in Cuíca’s new milk come from sustainable extraction, without monoculture. The chestnut trees are centuries old and can be found in the Amazon. “The collection and processing are carried out by indigenous and riverside communities, and in this way, Cuíca helps to keep the forest standing,” notes Cuíca’s founder.

Milk is rich in selenium (neuroprotective), potassium, magnesium and vitamin E, with a high protein content, both in the original version and in the barista and culinary versions.

“This project with Cuíca is one of many examples of how we support the industry in its challenges not only through our packaging, which eliminates the use of preservatives and protects food for safe consumption. We also add value in other areas, from infrastructure for product formulation and testing, market analysis to processing equipment and technical services,” notes Luis Kühl, from Tetra Pak Brazil.