The world’s first “climate positive” gin made from peas has been unveiled by Scottish distillery, Arbikie.
The gin is titled ‘Nàdar’ meaning ‘nature’ in Gaelic and has a carbon footprint of -1.54 kg CO2e per 700ml bottle.
Arbikie, the field to bottle distillery based on Scotland’s East Coast, says that the new gin avoids more carbon dioxide emission than it creates.
It was produced following five years of research which combined the company’s master distiller, Kirsty Black’s PhD studentship between Abertay University and The James Hutton Institute.
Most gins are made from spirit distilled from cereals such as wheat, barley or maize. Growing peas means no synthetic nitrogen fertiliser is needed, and so its negative environmental impact on waterways, air and soils is avoided.
Peas also benefit the ecosystem as a whole, improving soil quality and offsetting synthetic nitrogen fertiliser requirements of other crops, which follow peas in the crop rotation.
Black’s PhD at Abertay University and the James Hutton Institute is focused on exploring the potential of pulses such as peas and beans as an environmentally sustainable crop to the brewing and distilling industries.
“Peas are a part of a unique set of plants known as legumes that are able to source nitrogen, which is critical for plant growth, from the air,” she said.
“This removes the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilisers and, therefore, avoids the negative environmental impact its production and use has on our waterways, air and soils.”
Professor of Zymology at Abertay University, Graeme Walker, is supervisor on the PhD project.
He said: “This project is an excellent example of what can be achieved with the right blend of academic expertise and industry know-how.
“Creating real-world impact through our scientific research is part of Abertay’s core mission and I’m delighted to see that coming together in this genuinely innovative project.”
With the base spirit made from peas, Nàdar Gin uses lemongrass and citrus leaf as the botanicals, which instantiate the fresh and fruity aroma.
