Waking up in 2025 feels different—so much has changed over the past decade. Technology is advancing at an incredible pace, from AI to Ag Tech, reshaping the way we live, work, and eat. Speaking of progress, let’s talk about one of the most fascinating developments in the chocolate world: alt-chocolate and lab-grown chocolate.
As concerns about sustainability, deforestation, and ethical sourcing grow, scientists and food innovators are finding ways to create chocolate without traditional cacao farming. Lab-grown and alt-chocolate are emerging as a groundbreaking alternative, using cellular agriculture and fermentation to replicate the flavors and textures of real chocolate. In this article, we’ll explore the companies leading this revolution and how they’re shaping the future of chocolate.
What is lab grown chocolate?
Lab-grown chocolate is a new and innovative way to make chocolate without traditional cacao farming. Instead of growing cacao trees, scientists use cell cultures and fermentation to recreate the key ingredients of chocolate, like cocoa butter and cocoa solids. This method helps reduce environmental damage, deforestation, and ethical issues such as child labor in the chocolate industry.
By copying the taste and texture of regular chocolate, lab-grown chocolate offers a more sustainable and ethical choice for the future. Though still in development, this technology could change the chocolate industry, making it more eco-friendly and reliable.
What is alt-chocolate?
Alt-chocolate is a food substance that looks, tastes, melts, snaps and behaves like regular chocolate, but it’s not made from cocoa beans. It can be derived from grains, seeds and even date pits. Using fermentation and a variety of processing techniques, these starting materials are transformed into something that looks and tastes like chocolate. While the starting materials still rely on farming practices, they aren’t restricted to the narrow equatorial band in which cacao trees can survive.
Why the need for alternative chocolate?
The thought of a world with less chocolate is difficult to imagine. Chocolate is a treat we love and enjoy every day, but its future is uncertain. As cacao crops face challenges, lab-grown and alternative chocolates offer a smart and sustainable solution that can be scaled up and down to meet demand. By reducing the need for large farms, these new methods help protect the planet and make sure chocolate stays part of our lives for years to come.
But the main reason we need to explore alternatives is to address the world’s growing chocolate demand and shrinking supply. To put this into perspective, the global chocolate market is over $100 billion. The US confectionary market alone is projected to generate $24 billion in revenue in 2025, with an expected annual growth rate of 3.59% (CAGR 2025-2030).
For a more detailed statistical analysis, check out this report.
Companies leading the way in lab grown chocolate
California Cultured is on a mission to educate chocolate lovers about the challenges in the chocolate industry while offering a sustainable solution through plant cell culture technology. By using cellular agriculture, they grow cocoa cells in a lab, recreating the rich flavor and texture of traditional chocolate—without the need for large-scale farming.
Check out this video for more in depth information.
Planet A Foods, the creators of Choco-Free and ChoViva, use precision fermentation to produce cocoa-like ingredients, offering a more sustainable alternative with a lower environmental impact. Their mission is to revolutionize the food industry by creating eco-friendly ingredients that help reduce millions of tons of CO2 emissions each year, protecting both chocolate’s future and the planet.
3. Celleste Bio
Celleste Bio was founded to ensure that the world’s love for chocolate no longer comes at the expense of people, the planet, or profit. A team of purpose-driven scientists, climatarians, ingredient specialists, and product developers joined forces to reinvent the outdated and costly methods of cocoa farming.
Their breakthrough—Celleste Bio Cocoa Tech—uses just one bean from a single pod to create a sustainable, reliable supply of 100% natural cocoa butter. By collaborating with investors, partners, and customers, they aim to scale this technology and transform the future of chocolate.
4. Food Brewer
The founders of Food Brewer aim to revolutionize cocoa and coffee production, envisioning a future where food, sustainability, and tradition thrive together. They are developing cell culture based cocoa and cocoa butter that can be grown in a bioreactor.
5. Kokomodo
Kokomodo cultivates real, climate-resilient cacao year-round using cutting-edge cellular agriculture. As global temperatures rise and weather patterns change, cacao faces growing challenges. Driven by a deep passion for preservation, Kokomodo is committed to securing the future of cacao for generations to come.
There are a handful of other companies that are developing chocolate alternatives that are worth investigating (several of which already have products in the market):
What’s the future of lab grown chocolate
The future of lab-grown chocolate looks promising and could change the chocolate industry. Getting the right flavor and texture that will be acceptable to consumers will be the real test. As the technology improves and the processes scale up, alt-chocolate may become more affordable, easier to find, and taste just like traditional chocolate. With growing concerns about sustainability, deforestation, and unfair labor, lab-grown chocolate offers a way to enjoy chocolate without harming the planet or depending on agricultural booms and busts.
More companies are investing in this new approach, and soon, lab-grown chocolate could become a regular choice.
Check out this link for a deeper dive into lab-grown chocolate:
The scientists making cocoa in a laboratory to meet world’s demand for chocolate
How to support the ethical chocolate movement
- Choose sustainable brands – Look for companies that produce lab-grown or ethically sourced chocolate.
- Stay informed – Learn about the challenges in traditional cacao farming and the benefits of alternative chocolate.
- Spread awareness – Share information with friends and family to encourage more people to support sustainable chocolate.
- Try alternative chocolates – Give lab-grown or cocoa-free chocolates a chance and support companies leading the change.
- Advocate for change – Support policies and brands that promote ethical and sustainable chocolate production.
Lab-grown chocolate is still in its early stages, but with advancements in cellular agriculture and fermentation, it could soon become a mainstream option—and we won’t lie, there’s still work to be done, but we’re excited for what’s ahead. In the meantime, by supporting innovation and making mindful choices, we can help shape a chocolate industry that’s better for both people and the planet—without sacrificing the sweet indulgence we love.
For more great articles and recipes, check out the rest of our CocoTerra blog.
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