In a groundbreaking development, Savor, a California-based startup supported by Bill Gates, has claimed that its innovative butter, derived from carbon dioxide in the air, tastes just as good as traditional dairy butter. This novel approach not only promises a delicious alternative but also addresses significant environmental and ethical concerns associated with conventional butter production.
Savor’s process involves a sophisticated thermochemical method to create fats that mimic those found in animal products. The startup explains that they start with a carbon source, such as carbon dioxide, and use heat and hydrogen to form molecular chains. These chains are then combined with oxygen from the air to produce the fats and oils used in their butter. This method eliminates the need for animals, farmland, fertilizers, hormones, or antibiotics.
On its website, Savor elaborates: “We start with a source of carbon, like carbon dioxide, and use a little bit of heat and hydrogen to form chains which are then blended with oxygen from air to make the fats & oils we know, love and drool over. That’s how we get rich, delightful ingredients without animal suffering, palm plantations, or dangerous chemicals. All in the most efficient, most resilient, least polluting way known to science.”
Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft and a prominent supporter of sustainable innovations, has praised Savor’s approach. He highlighted that their method of creating butter from carbon dioxide and hydrogen not only avoids greenhouse gas emissions but also uses no farmland and only a tiny fraction of the water required in traditional agriculture. “I’ve tasted Savor’s products, and I couldn’t believe I wasn’t eating real butter,” Gates remarked.
Despite its promising innovation, Savor’s butter is not yet available commercially. The startup is in the process of acquiring regulatory approval, with CEO Kathleen Alexander stating that they do not expect to commence sales until at least 2025. However, the potential impact of their product is significant. Savor asserts that their butter will have a lower carbon footprint compared to animal-based butter, which is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
As livestock farming is a leading source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, Savor’s animal-free butter represents a promising step towards reducing the environmental impact of food production. By eliminating the need for animals, farmland, and intensive water usage, Savor is setting a new standard for sustainability in the food industry.
