A New Jersey company is working to change the way people think about everyday foods.
Fabalish, based in Carlstadt, is focused on creating healthier versions of common favorites using simple ingredients.
The company makes items like tzatziki, ranch, mayonnaise and queso that are organic, plant-based, gluten-free and allergen-friendly.
They describe their products as “proudly perishable,” meaning they avoid preservatives and focus on fresh ingredients.
The idea grew out of founder Jessica Gebel’s personal experience with health issues.
“We grew up on your American standard diet, and in my early 20s I ended up having a lot of health issues,” Gebel said.
When traditional treatments didn’t help, she turned to cooking.
“I started making sauces out of chickpea water… and the next thing I knew, I created a brand because I was selling out each week,” she said.
That chickpea water, known as aquafaba, is now a key ingredient in Fabalish products.
“It acts like a great egg and dairy replacement… which is really hard to believe,” Gebel added.
The company has grown from a small kitchen operation to a 10,000-square-foot facility with about 25 employees.
Fabalish has also expanded beyond sauces, producing items like falafels made from chickpeas and fresh vegetables.
The goal is simple: make food that not only tastes good but also makes people feel good.
“It just brings so much joy… that goes into your food, and then that spreads to more people,” Gebel said.