London-based vegan cheese brand Julienne Bruno has unveiled a plant-based alternative to mozzarella pearls, dubbed Mozzafiore Pearls.
The NPD, described by Julienne Bruno as a “world first”, is made with a combination of soya and coconut oil, using traditional cheesemaking techniques to obtain a “springy, soft texture with a creamy yet subtle salty tang” naturally through the brand’s fermentation process.
The product, the first line from Julienne Bruno’s Collection 02 (with more NPD to follow this year), was said to be perfect for salads, pasta, pizza and sandwiches, and can also be marinated with extra virgin olive oil and fresh herbs.
It will go on sale exclusively in Whole Foods Market UK stores on 9 January (rsp: £3.95/115g).
“Our Mozzafiore Pearls are a first of their kind – a completely new concept inspired by the world of mozzarella pearls, but crafted entirely without dairy,” said Julienne Bruno founder Axel Katalan.
“After over two years of development, led by our head of product development Albert Adrià, we’re thrilled to bring something entirely new to the dairy-free category – offering the same versatility and elegance, but crafted with soy beans.”
Julienne Bruno named the product “out of respect for Italian cheesemaking heritage, not to replicate mozzarella but to continue the tradition of creativity it represents”, Katalan said.
“Mozzarella pearls were once a new idea themselves. ‘Fiore’, meaning ‘bloom’ in Italian, reflects the product’s delicate nature, while ‘mozza’ honours the craft of hand-stretching curds, a technique mirrored in our batch-made process. Together, the name celebrates a continuation of cheese craftsmanship and its rich tradition,” he added.
The gastronomy-driven startup first secured a national grocery listing with Ocado in March 2023 for its classic soft cheese-inspired Collection 01 range, which consists of a plant-based take on burrata called Burrella, a lightly whipped Crematta, plus a Superstraccia with a creamy curd.
“We’ve seen something magical happen when chefs and creators from diverse backgrounds get hold of our products and create truly inspiring recipes that make one think ‘oh, I never tried that before’,” added Katalan.
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