ENLIGHTENMENT: The Future of Chocolate

Hi, this is Vanessa, your ENLIGHTENMENT host.

Cacao, the fruit which gives us cocoa beans (and ultimately chocolate), is in a lot of trouble. Deforestation is rising and yields are plummeting. Not to mention there’s a lot of child labor involved in its harvesting and production. By 2032, an estimated 50% of cacao farmland will be unfit for production by 2032.

So Alan Perlstein, who spent the last 20 years in cellular agriculture and pharmaceuticals, had an idea: Why not bypass the tree and just grow the bean? In 2020, he launched California Cultured, a food tech company based in Davis and West Sacramento that makes real chocolate from plant cells.

Like a lot of us, Perlstein is a chocoholic. “That was one of the reasons I wanted to make better, healthier sweets. We’re all addicted to them, let’s make them better.”

Join me for a discussion with Perlstein, as he’ll tell us how his plant cell culture technology could revolutionize the chocolate industry, restore rainforests, reduce child labor, and more.

Bring your questions — nothing’s too small or too dumb to ask.

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Ruhstaller BSMT has a variety of beers on tap, as well as wine, kombucha and N/A beverages. Please feel free to BYO food.

Transportation Options include:

* Hourly street parking meters along L Street

* Covered/outdoor parking garages on L Street/Kayak Alley between 7th and 8th Street

* City garages: Capitol Garage at 1129 10th St. and City Hall Garage at 917 10th St.

* Light rail transit: Ruhstaller is close to stops on the Blue, Green and Gold lines

For more information about ENLIGHTENMENT and about California Groundbreakers, go to californiagroundbreakers.org

Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Sacramento.