Nectar

NECTAR is a nonprofit initiative of Food System Innovations accelerating the transition to sustainable proteins by putting taste at the centre of product innovation and market growth. Through large-scale sensory research, NECTAR generates actionable consumer taste data that helps alternative protein brands build better products, while giving retailers and foodservice operators the insights they need to identify products consumers genuinely enjoy.

NECTAR is building the world’s largest publicly available dataset on how alternative proteins perform with omnivore consumers - turning taste insights into a powerful tool for increasing consumer satisfaction and accelerating adoption.

Unique offerings / recent projects

• Europe’s largest blind taste study of alternative proteins: On March 3, 2027, NECTAR will publish its annual Taste of the Industry 2027 report, revealing findings from Europe’s largest blind sensory study of alternative proteins. Conducted in Cologne, Germany, and Reading, UK, the study evaluates 115 meat alternatives - including 95 plant-based and 20 hybrid products - with omnivore consumers.
• Alternative dairy is next: In April 2027, NECTAR plans to launch a major new study evaluating approximately 100 alternative dairy products, expanding its growing body of consumer sensory data into another key category.
• Building an unprecedented global taste dataset: NECTAR’s mission is to create the world’s largest publicly available dataset on the performance of alternative proteins with omnivores. To date, NECTAR has tested 450+ products with more than 10,000 omnivore consumers, generating sensory insights across the US, Europe, Singapore, and India.
• Turning consumer feedback into better products: NECTAR works directly with alternative protein brands to translate sensory data into practical R&D roadmaps, pinpointing opportunities to improve taste, texture, and overall consumer experience.
• Helping buyers put taste at the centre of purchasing: NECTAR also works with retailers and foodservice operators, providing direct guidance on top-performing products so buyers can make more sensory-informed assortment and purchasing decisions.

NECTAR is a program of Food System Innovations, a philanthropic organisation that builds, funds, and invests in market-based solutions designed to accelerate the transition to sustainable proteins.