For generations, high-quality, freshly made tofu was largely relegated to specialized artisan shops or required hours of tedious manual labor in the home kitchen. Consumers seeking tofu in everyday supermarkets have had to settle for pre-packaged, water-logged blocks laden with preservatives and wrapped in single-use plastics.
At IFA 2026 in Berlin, technology startup NUVELL set out to fundamentally disrupt this landscape by unveiling the NUVELL Home Plant Protein System—the world’s first fully automatic, countertop tofu maker designed specifically for residential kitchens.
Borrowing a user-experience philosophy from high-end, bean-to-cup automatic espresso machines, NUVELL automates every single phase of the traditional tofu-making journey.
Rather than requiring users to manually grind soaked soybeans, boil milk over a stove, hand-strain curds through cheesecloth, and weigh down press blocks, the Home Plant Protein System integrates every step into a seamless, push-button appliance.
The machine automatically manages raw ingredient grinding, precise thermal heating, micro-filtering, coagulation, liquid draining, and physical pressing—turning raw grains and beans into fresh culinary staples with minimal user intervention.
Engineering Versatility: How One Appliance Bridges Two Categories
At its technological core, the NUVELL system merges two kitchen functions that previously demanded separate appliances: plant milk extraction and solid protein pressing. Because both processes share foundational mechanical stages—specifically grinding, heating, and fine filtration—NUVELL’s engineers combined these operations into a unified internal chamber.
Depending on the user’s immediate needs, the appliance adapts its cycle:
- Fresh Plant Milk Mode: In a single 15-to-25-minute cycle, the machine yields up to 1.2 liters of fresh plant milk. Users can utilize soybeans, oats, almonds, or other nuts, fine-tuning the output’s volume, fat concentration, and overall mouthfeel via digital controls.
- Automated Tofu Mode: By extending the workflow past the filtration phase, the system automatically injects coagulant agents, monitors curd formation, drains excess whey, and engages a mechanical press. Within 30 to 60 minutes, the appliance produces 150 to 200 grams of warm, fresh tofu, allowing users to select exact firmness profiles ranging from soft silken to firm blocks.
Empowering Health-Conscious and Eco-Minded Consumers
While plant-based appliances traditionally target niche vegan demographics, NUVELL’s main focus expands to broader health, fitness, and eco-conscious markets. Commercial store-bought plant milks and tofu products frequently rely on stabilizing gums, synthetic thickeners, excess sodium, and extensive pasteurization cycles that strip away delicate nutritional nuances.
By shifting production directly to the kitchen counter, users gain complete authority over their food intake:
- Nutritional Integrity: Total control over ingredient quality, organic sourcing, and sweetener levels without hidden additives or chemical preservatives.
- Waste Reduction: Drastically reduces consumer reliance on non-recyclable Tetra Pak cartons and plastic tofu tubs, aligning with modern zero-waste kitchen trends.
- Culinary Customization: Enables real-time experimentation with custom infusions, such as herb-seasoned tofu, fortified nut milks, or multi-grain protein blends.
Effortless Maintenance: Automated Cleaning and Sanitation
A primary friction point for home food-processing equipment—such as juicers, blenders, and presses—is the grueling clean-up process. To ensure the Home Plant Protein System fits seamlessly into daily routines rather than gathering dust in a cabinet, NUVELL built self-cleaning technology directly into the unit’s core operations.
Immediately following a production cycle, internal fluid lines and hard-to-reach mechanical valves are automatically purged to prevent residue build-up. For daily maintenance, users can initiate a high-temperature sanitation rinse cycle to break down residual oils and proteins. Furthermore, the unit features an automated deep-cleaning and descaling program to preserve heating elements, while all food-contact removable components are designed for swift, dishwasher-safe maintenance.
Technical Performance Overview
| Feature / Metric | Plant Milk Mode | Tofu Production Mode |
| Cycle Duration | 15 – 25 Minutes | 30 – 60 Minutes |
| Average Output | Up to ~1.2 Liters | ~150 – 200 Grams |
| Supported Raw Inputs | Soybeans, Oats, Almonds, Nuts | Soybeans, Custom Protein Blends |
| Key Customization | Volume, Consistency, Concentration | Firmness Level (Silken to Extra Firm) |
| Maintenance | Auto-Line Purge & High-Temp Rinse | Auto-Line Purge & High-Temp Rinse |
By bridging complex food processing mechanics with user-friendly automation, NUVELL aims to pioneer an entirely new category of home appliances—bringing the ease of modern espresso brewing to the world of fresh plant proteins.
