In an effort to adhere to modern health trends and “make sushi more available to the masses,” AUTEC – a provider of commercial robotic sushi machines – is going against the grain.
The food technology developer announced on 20 November that it is expanding the capacity of its sushi robots to incorporate quinoa instead of rice, a move that can help alleviate a number of food challenges facing sushi providers today, including consumer allergies and dietary intolerances.
With the ability to switch out rice for quinoa, sushi suppliers can use AUTEC’s robot innovations to cater to growing preferences toward higher-protein diets while introducing “a new flavor palette to the sushi world,” courtesy of quinoa’s warm, nutty flavor profile, the company said.
AUTEC said the initial response to its new quinoa sushi concept, which debuted at SUMMIT LA in October, has been “overwhelming.”
“AUTEC Sushi Robots now have the capability to bring fresh, delicious quinoa sushi to the masses and are exploring partnerships with upscale grocers, universities and restaurants beginning this month,” the company said in its official November announcement.
AUTEC Sushi Robots can be used for a number of commercial culinary preparations, from established roll and sashimi dishes, to poke bowls, tacos, sushi burritos, and pizzas. The machines automate elements of the sushi making process, with one model capable of producing 1,400 rice sheets per hour, AUTEC explained on its website.
“Technology has always been the focus for AUTEC, but our Sushi Robots represent something bigger, because you’re not just buying a machine, you’re stepping into the future of sushi,” AUTEC President and CEO Taka Tanaka said back in October 2018, as the company experienced an influx in product adoptions by restauranteurs and upscale grocers.
Photo courtesy of AUTEC
