Pianta

Pianta is a New York-based company that emerged in 2020, specializing in the creation of plant-based cheeses. The venture was founded by the husband-and-wife team of Joanas Riccardi and Francesca Valarezo in their Brooklyn kitchen. Their journey into plant-based foods is rooted in personal health experiences. Riccardi adopted a plant-based diet during his childhood to alleviate symptoms of Gilbert's Disease, which led him to formally study Culinary Nutrition. Valarezo turned to a plant-based diet and yoga to manage digestive issues and depression.

The company's core product is a minimally processed, unpasteurized, plant-based cheese crafted from fermented and activated cashews. Pianta emphasizes the use of minimal ingredients, with their flagship product containing only six. The production process involves activating the cashews to remove anti-nutrients, which is intended to improve digestion and nutrient absorption. The resulting cheese is rich in enzymes, vitamins, adaptogenic herbs, and live cultures. It is marketed as a versatile, premium product that can be used in appetizers, on crackers, or crumbled on salads.

Pianta operates on a direct-to-consumer model, with orders placed weekly by Thursday for delivery on Sunday. The company requires a minimum order of two cheeses for delivery. Their products are gluten-free, probiotic, organic, vegan, and raw. Riccardi's culinary background includes developing plant-based menus for cafes and creating a Matcha Granola product sold in major retailers like Whole Foods Markets and Erewhon Markets. Valarezo is also a yoga teacher, mentor, breathwork practitioner, and master Reiki guide.

Keywords: plant-based cheese, vegan cheese, cashew cheese, fermented foods, raw foods, organic, gluten-free, probiotic, direct-to-consumer, food startup, wellness, culinary nutrition, plant-based diet, healthy lifestyle, artisanal, minimally processed, superfoods, activated nuts, digestive health, clean eating