Food and beverage brand Oobli has unveiled a range of sweet teas that get their sweetness from a protein called brazzein. The protein is derived from the oubli fruit, which is native to West Africa.
Oobli uses a process it calls ‘precision fermentation’ to obtain its sweet proteins, effectively ‘brewing’ proteins identical to the ones found in nature. The introduction of brazzein in the sweet teas has several benefits. With only 7g of sugar per serving, compared to the 40g found in a 16oz Snapple Peach sweet tea, these teas offer a healthier alternative. Additionally, Oobli’s sweet teas contain only around 60 calories, significantly lower than the 150 calories typically found in a similar-sized beverage.
However, one obstacle that Oobli faces, at least in the short term, is the relatively higher cost of their teas. A 12-pack of Oobli currently retails for $39, which is approximately three times the price of a comparable pack. While the teas may be more expensive at present, the benefits of reduced sugar and calorie content make them an attractive choice for health-conscious consumers.
As Oobli continues to refine its processes and scale production, there is potential for the cost of their sweet teas to become more accessible, making them a competitive and appealing choice in the beverage market.
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