If "in simplicity is success," as the creators of tuliva, there is no better product that defines that idea than the edible container most innovative of the moment. He triumphed in the last Ecotrophelia Spain 2020 Awards and is that the proposal for a new way of plate recipes very varied is quite attractive and interesting. For the possibilities it offers in the kitchen but also for its curious composition and flavor. We had the pleasure of talking with the architects of this award-winning creation, so we reveal all about it innovative lampshade.
What is Tuliva?
Before going into the subject and knowing the history in great detail of this food innovation we anticipate that tuliva it's a kind of cookie designed for the presentation of dishes both salty as confectionery. In a very different, original and even creative way to suit the chef, this element that is also eaten is Very versatile at the time of plating.
The food was devised by the team of cruixents, a group made up of five students from the Polytechnic university of Valencia (UPV). They are María Cabrera, Lucía Cano, Laura Junco, María Rovira and Marta Maravilla. All participants in the project, achieved a meritorious second place in the Ecotrophelia 2020 Awards. They seek talent in the food sector in original ideas presented by students, which are marketable and, in addition, have environmental perspective.
A decision on the horn
All of this can be seen in tuliva, which is already a reality, although the road has not been easy at all. Let's go to the beginning of everything. «This project started many months ago thanks to the program made up of students, Fornejant Science, of the UPV, supported by Spontaneous Generation. They made the work groups based on a survey that we answered about our personality, so many of us did not even know each other ”, the five students remind us.
They shuffled «infinity of ideas as one seaweed cake or some dumplings with insects»Before opting for tuliva. This occurred "in the minutes leading up to the end of the last workshop, before the tutors made the final decision on who would go to the contest." Of course, they refer to that of Ecotrophelia. "We did not expect to be runner-up in Spain at all," they acknowledge. The first prize went to tricube, which we already talked about a few weeks ago. Now, in the contest this novelty of cruixents It was also recognized after a hard effort by the team to develop it.
With olive seed flour
One of the keys to tuliva It is in the raw material you use: olive seed flour, which the girls were unaware of. “We discovered its existence in a subject we had last year and started looking for some information about it. We saw that it was a mass that it had not been used in any product that was in the market, so we were curious ", they admit. Later, they realized that this flour had "lots of benefits" and they chose it as their main ingredient.
The reasons for his final choice were various. «It is suitable for celiacs, vegetarian and its production greatly reduces food waste. On the other hand, there is a lot of olive cultivation in the Valencian Community, so it would contribute to reduce carbon footprint which leaves the transport of goods. We promote an economy of kilometer 0«, They maintain. Of course, using said raw material entailed certain difficulties.
Simple creation but with its crumb
At first glance, the product seems really simple: a cookie and little else. However, develop it as they wanted in cruixents had its crumb, as it took them "many months to find the right amount of each ingredient so that the dough had the desired flavor and texture." They had to overcome the barrier of the flour itself, because «it is extremely bitter«. In addition, "the dough quickly hardens." They thus sought "a form that was easy to mold." They achieved this in an evolutionary process that began with "a waffle" and ended in the current "petal", as can be seen in the image above. They also managed to reduce its degree of bitterness.
So what does it taste like tuliva? Although its creators speak of "different opinions" in this regard, the truth is that the Ecotrophelia jury liked it as much as other people who could try it. Therefore, on the palate it is "reminiscent of Mediterranean diet, with a taste similar to the characteristic black olive flavor, so ingrained in our culture. This brings you true exoticism, especially in places where the use of olive oil is not so well established.
Then, as for your texture achieved - of which the girls admit to being very proud - is «thin and crisp«, Something essential to be able to enjoy it in the mouth, when biting the cookie. This final result is obtained in a waffle iron, before definitively shaping the lampshade with the help of a kind of cone. This is how it was born tuliva, which already pretends to be one more option to get the creativity of every chef.
Versatility in the kitchen
Its use in the kitchen it is very versatile, since the innovative packaging is developed to "eat with other dishes that enhance its flavor." Thus, it serves to plate classic appetizers such as Russian salad or a more modern one such as hummus, but also for recipes more gourmet. For example, a cod brandade or liver with apple. That in the salty recipe book, because if we go to the desserts it is equally interesting. «We would contrast the bitter taste of the biscuit with the sweetness of a mousse chocolate or vanilla and praline ice cream ", they clarify. They even give us another attractive combination: spread cheese with strawberry jam, simulating a different cheesecake.
The great architects of this product are very clear about the potential it offers for cooks and chefs, so they continue to promote it with the intention of "not bury the idea." That which is curious, original and important also for our planet, as it is sustainable financing model. These magnificent students of the UPV They remind us that this "is a difficult point to achieve in the production process because many times you reduce one part but exceed another." Now, they have shown with their innovative cookie that it is possible to achieve "equilibrium." Hopefully they will also be able to give more travel and success to tuliva, for a better world!
