New Variety Targets Protein Demand Surge NuCicer, a crop improvement company, announced Nuchi™, a high-protein chickpea developed through AI-driven genomic modeling and speed-breeding technology. The non-GMO ingredient contains 50% more protein and 25% less fat than standard chickpeas, addressing a critical gap as food manufacturers seek functional, clean-label alternatives to expensive whey protein. Whey protein concentrate prices have risen more than 50% since January 2026, and 71% of Americans now actively try to consume more protein, up from 59% three years ago. The global protein ingredients market is projected to reach $84 billion by 2033, growing from $55 billion in 2025, with plant-based protein as the fastest-growing segment.
Processing Advantages Nuchi's improved protein-to-fat ratio eliminates the costly defatting step that has traditionally made chickpea protein processing difficult and expensive. The ingredient features a mild, naturally neutral flavor that reduces masking agents and performs across applications including high-protein flour, protein concentrate, and isolate without solvent extraction. NuCicer is offering four formats: high-protein flour, low-fat flour, solvent-free protein concentrate, and protein isolate. The company has validated performance across crackers, pancakes, waffles, pasta, snacks, and cereals. Nuchi is compatible with existing pea protein processing infrastructure, reducing capital investment for manufacturers.
Breeding Speed and Scale Nuchi is the first commercial output of NuCicer's speed-breeding platform, which runs five generations per year and compresses a decade of traditional breeding into four years or less. The company has planted 10,000 acres with partner growers in North America for 2026. As a legume, chickpeas fix nitrogen from the air and replenish soil naturally, providing agronomic advantages at a time when fertilizer prices have spiked due to global supply disruptions. "This is not your average chickpea," said Kathryn Cook, Co-Founder and CEO of NuCicer. "The food industry has spent years processing around the limitations of standard chickpeas and compensating for what it couldn't deliver. We tapped into the natural genetic potential of this crop to create a better starting ingredient. Better food starts with better crops." NuCicer is working with ingredient processors and food manufacturers on partnerships and accepting sample requests at nucicer.com.
Why It Matters
For food manufacturers, Nuchi addresses a dual squeeze: rising input costs for animal-based proteins and growing consumer demand for plant-based options. By eliminating processing bottlenecks inherent to conventional chickpeas, the ingredient simplifies formulation and reduces cost, making high-protein, clean-label products more economically viable at scale.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors
