Gousto trials the world’s first edible packaging made from pea protein

Edible stock cube packaging created with University of Cambridge spinout, Xampla

Gousto is the world-first edible packaging solution to persist in decreasing plastic packaging in its recipe boxes.

Stock cube wrapper

After 15 years of analysis and one year of development, the stock cube wrapper is the world’s first edible packaging made from pea protein. Developed in partnership with Xampla, a mission-based spinout from the University of Cambridge, the stock cube will be trialed in Gousto recipe boxes this month.

Pea protein material into flexible

The edible packaging is created by engineering and drying a pea protein material into a flexible with the same advantages as plastic, maintaining the food’s flavor and shelf life but with no packaging waste. What’s more, the material is also vegan and gluten-free.

Home cooks participating in the trial will enjoy the vegetable stock cube in Gousto’s Indian Spiced Carrot & Lentil Soup recipe by simply dissolving it and its packaging in hot water.

Following its first full year of profitability in 2020, the recipe box company became a certified B Corporation. It entered an international community of businesses committed to growing the right way for people and the planet, including Xampla.

It was partly accomplished by Gousto’s ongoing work to decrease plastic packaging in their recipe boxes. Last year, the company cut plastic by 50% in their packs by changing to more cardboard packaging and establishing the Eco Chill Box, an innovative insulator made of recycled cardboard that keeps ingredients fresh in boxes.

A further 17 tonnes of plastic could be saved by Gousto annually if the new edible stock cube packaging is fully rolled out to customers in the future.

The edible stock cube packaging is being trialed to replace Gousto’s existing stock mix sachets for a packaging-free stock full of flavor.