MeliBio

MeliBio develops bee-free honey using two approaches: 1) Using plant-based ingredients and food science and 2) using microbial fermentation technology to produce honey that is molecularly identical to real honey.

The startup, which initially focused on precision-fermented honey in 2020, pivoted to Mellody, a plant-based alternative that mimics the taste and performance of honey. Mellody uses only the sugars found in honey, such as fructose and glucose, complemented by a range of plant extracts (sumac, fava d'anta, Indian trumpet flower, green coffee bean, chamomile, seaberry) to replicate bee-derived honey. However, the company also reports ongoing and successful R&D for the original microbial fermentation process. In March 2024, Mellody expanded its product range with Spicy Habanero, a certified vegan and glyphosate-free product that is claimed to be the first-ever vegan hot honey product on the market.

In September 2024, MeliBio received a utility model registration from the German Patent and Trademark Office for its "Plant-Based Honey Composition," protecting its method of creating honey from plant-based ingredients.

MeliBio offers a B2B solution for restaurants and food companies seeking to integrate plant-based honey, such as BAIA in San Francisco, Little Choc Apothecary in Brooklyn, and Motel Fried Chicken in Philadelphia. Additionally, retail consumers can purchase Mellody at Eleven Madison Home in New York City, at USD 28 per 360g jar (October 2023). As of October 2023, the company produced 10,000 lbs of honey per day.

Key customers and partnerships

In July 2022, the company partnered with San Francisco-based BAIA to feature the bee-free honey in two summer-exclusive menu items. This partnership followed MeliBio's five-star culinary debut at New York's renowned fine dining restaurant Eleven Madison Park in its lunch recipes and cocktails in May 2022. In November 2022, MeliBio partnered with Narayan Foods to launch its plant-based honey, "Ohney," in 75,000 stores in Germany and the UK under Narayan Foods' Better Foodie brand. As of July 2022, MeliBio had over 40 signed letters of intent from international companies and a growing waiting list of interested partners.

In January 2024, MeliBio partnered with Narayan Foods, an organic food producer, to introduce bee-free honey in Europe. It will initially launch at Aldi-owned Hofer stores. Further, in March 2024, MeliBio partnered with Pow.Bio to enhance precision fermentation for bee-free honey production. In July 2024, the company partnered with UK-based plant-based fast food chain Neat to release a new menu dish called the "Hot Honey Sando," made with Mellody Spicy Habanero.