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Welcome to BioMush, formerly known as the Nordic Umami Company. We’re a forward-thinking FoodTech startup based in Finland.

Approximately 14% of the global food industry’s edible side streams go to waste before reaching consumers. BioMush’s innovative solid-state fermentation technology addresses this challenge by converting low-value, hard-to-process by-products into premium, clean-label umami flavour solutions.

Our Journey

At BioMush, we’re on a mission to make a positive impact on the environment and the food industry. Our journey began with a simple yet profound question: could food waste be transformed into something edible, something that could elevate the taste of plant-based foods?

Through experimentation, it was discovered that plant-based foods often lacked umami—the savory, satisfying taste that makes food truly delicious. Fermentation proved to be the key, as it not only enhanced flavor but also presented a sustainable solution to food waste. This breakthrough laid the foundation for what is now BioMush.

We started by operating a small-scale test factory, where we transformed two tons of food industry side streams each month into four tons of liquid umami. Today, we’re taking our impact further by a demo-sized bioreactor and expanding our research in a new laboratory at Innopoli, where we continue to refine our processes, chemistry and microbiology in order to optimize each state of product development.

Exciting Development: BioMush’s Bioreactor

In October 2024 our first demo-size bioreactor was ready to be rolled out. BioMush’s bioreactor will be able to serve industrial clients with a process which offers the bioreactor to be installed directly at the client’s production site. By doing this, there is no need to transport side-streams around the globe.

The process allows BioMush to tailor the solutions to customer’s available side streams and desired flavour profiles for the end products. This approach requires modest capital investment from clients and operates at competitive production costs compared to traditional flavouring methods, such as yeast extract.

Versatile Applications and unique approach

BioMush’s solid state fermentation technology has incredible potential. It’s not just about umami; we’re pioneering solutions that extend beyond the food industry.

BioMush seamlessly integrates with clients’ existing processes directly within their facilities. This approach eliminates the need for clients to invest in dedicated production facilities, as BioMush customizes its technology to match specific by-products and desired flavor profiles for each client’s final product.

Read more about our technology