Klüh Catering is expanding its range of forward-looking menu components through a collaboration with the food innovation start-up UpCircld Kitchen. Its product brand, Brew Bites, is based on plant proteins, the main ingredient of which is obtained from a nutrient-rich by-product of beer production – spent grain (barley malt). The new component will initially be used in selected hospitals and facilities for the elderly supplied by Klüh.
By integrating Brew Bites, Klüh is bringing more plant-based variety to care catering while also helping to reduce food waste and promote a more conscious use of natural resources. The principle of food upcycling – the high-quality processing of leftover ingredients – is consistently implemented here. In this way, a previously little-used raw material is turned into a wholesome food product with added ecological value. There’s no need to worry about a shortage of brewers’ spent grain: 1.5 million tons are produced every year in Germany alone.
The product also offers impressive nutritional properties: alongside the main ingredient, spent grain, Brew Bites contain only four other all-natural ingredients – pumpkin seed flour, pea protein, water and salt – and are completely free from artificial additives. Thanks to their high fibre content, they contribute to a balanced diet and leave you feeling full for longer. At the same time, they provide around 30 percent vegetable protein, making them an ideal base for modern, meat-free dishes. Another important thing: although they contain spent grain, Brew Bites are alcohol-free and do not taste like beer. So they can be used in care catering without any restrictions.
“By using Brew Bites, we are demonstrating how sustainability and enjoyable meals can go hand in hand – especially in the sensitive care sector,” explains Thorsten Greth, Managing Director of Klüh Catering. “We are thrilled to be the first care caterer to use this innovative product on a national level, thus providing further impetus for climate-friendly catering.”
The collaboration with UpCircld Kitchen is a prime example of Klüh Catering’s innovation strategy: with forward-looking concepts, strong partners and a clear commitment to sustainability, the company is actively shaping the future of care catering.
