Fresh Tortillas at the Touch of a Button
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536
backers
$114,431
pledged of $50,000 goal
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About this project
flatev is fresh tortillas at the touch of a button.
In less time than it takes you to toast a slice of bread, flatev transforms a pod of fresh dough into a hot and delicious tortilla.
What happens in the magic box?
The freshest little ball of dough jumps out of the pod and into the baking system, ready to be a tortilla. After seconds of baking, your tortilla slides into the warmer and waits for you to enjoy the aromatic perfection.
1 ) TASTY
- Fresh Bread is Better Bread
- No Junk Additives
- All-Natural & Gluten Free – no guilt
2 ) GREEN
- Organic Dough
- Recyclable Pods
- Zero Food Waste
3 ) CONVENIENT
- Press the button. Tortilla. Boom. A kid could do it
- Pod to Tortilla in a minute
- Corn Tortilla. Flour Tortilla. Flavors coming...
Media Testimonials
"You know that age-old problem, when you want to make fajitas at home but just don’t want to settle for store-bought tortillas? We’ve all been there. Thankfully, a new company has the solution.” Wired
"The Flatev eliminates the mess, effort and time spent making fresh tortillas. Genius, right?" Food & Wine
"We can’t wait to try fresh tortillas out of a Flatev tortilla maker. […] And there's no doubt fresh-made tortillas put store-bought tortillas to shame.” WFAA ABC
"We think it has a pleasing portliness fitting for a device that makes delicious things to eat!” Fred Bould on SysCon Media
"The next generation tortilla maker is taking tortilla making to a whole new level.” Latina Lista
"Flatev emphasizes the importance of using non-GMO dough flour and no artificial preservatives” Foodbev
Did you know tortillas have been around for 12,000 years? According to Mayan legend, tortillas were invented by a peasant that made them for his hungry king around 10,000 BC. With flatev, we want to preserve the real essence of traditional tortillas no matter how much our lifestyle has changed in the last century.
The magic is in how the ingredients come together.
The flatev machine works with pods of fresh dough that control the precise blend, quantity, and quality of ingredients, so all your tortillas come out perfect every time.
Enjoy Carlos' favorite tacos Al Pastor that inspired flatev. Make a carnitas taco with salsa verde and fresh cilantro. Savor a crispy quesadilla with melted raclette cheese, creamy havarti, or oaxaca cheese from Mexico. Indulge in an afternoon snack with a sweet flatev crêpe filled with mixed berries and acacia honey, or with pineapple and nutella.
If you are in a cooking mood or simply want to impress your friends, they’re the perfect canvas for your culinary creations! flatev allows you to focus on the fun and creative part; the fillings!
The flatev machine has come a long way. The first flatev concept model was made of cardboard. The proof of concept worked with pneumatic energy and had a Kinder chocolate egg as a pod for the fresh dough! That meant everywhere the three co-founders went, every startup competition or pitch contest, they brought a small compressor.
We worked approximately 6 months on the first, electric working prototype.
Design evolutions
Proof of concept
Our very first prototype (a rough proof of concept) worked with pressured air, and had no external design.
1st Prototype
Our first official prototype worked on electricity, and we had good Swiss industrial designers give the machine a friendly and clean aesthetic look.
2nd Prototype
Our first major design evolution was a specially developed capsule for dough, a container to keep the cooked tortillas warm, and a loading mechanism for multiple tortillas. The device was very reliable for making tortillas. We still had to integrate the pod opening to the inside of the machine.
Latest prototype
“Carnitas” was the name of our final major prototype. We moved from Swiss design to a great US designer, Bould Design. We added the crispness adjustment feature, and added a pod drawer to insert the pod into the machine.
Wait, why “Carnitas”?
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“That’s visual and functional. Visual because it’s friendly, approachable. It’s a little piggy-like, which I think is appropriate for something that makes tasty things to eat." (Fred Bould, on FastCoDesign)
Nest & GoPro Designer and Nespresso Manufacturer
flatev has partnered with Eugster/Frismag a world leading OEM, manufacturer of brands like Jura and Nespresso for commercial machine development and production of Carnitas, and with Bould Design on the design and user interface. It’s the best of all possible worlds: Mexican taste, Swiss engineering, and a beautiful Californian finish.
The test in the homeland of tortillas
The taste of tradition! We asked a chef and opinion leaders in Mexico City to try the flatev’s tortillas and let us know what they thought. Here’s what they have to say.
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Founder and CEO Carlos born and grew up in Guadalajara, Mexico eating his mom's fresh tortillas. After high school he had the opportunity to travel to Canada to learn English, backpacked through Europe to discover new cultures, and went to college in Switzerland. Throughout his travels, Carlos could not find authentic Mexican food, neither in restaurants nor in supermarkets.
Good tortillas are the foundation (literally and figuratively) of Mexican cuisine. However, outside of Mexico, good tortillas are very difficult to find. When Carlos tried to make tortillas from scratch with his mother's recipe, all he made was a mess. Carlos got frustrated, and he understood why so few people make tortillas from scratch.
The inspiration
Carlos started dreaming of a tortilla appliance that would be just as consistent and easy to use as his single-serve coffee maker. What if this system could also make different tortillas types and flavors like blue corn and chili? After some research, Carlos realized that his vision could go beyond tortillas. A single household appliance could potentially also make other flatbreads like roti, pita, and crepes.
Carlos met Jonas Müller in the Student House that served their universities. Jonas studied engineering at ETH Zurich (the MIT of Europe). The first thing Carlos asked Jonas was, "Could you make me a tortilla-making robot?"
Jonas said, "Sure. What's a tortilla?" One Mexican dinner later featuring homemade tortillas, and Jonas was sold. They got to work on their tortilla-making machine. This was Flatbread Evolution. flatev.
3 co-founders and one vision
Carlos and Jonas needed one more person to round out the core flatev team’s skills. They needed someone with business savvy, entrepreneurial experience, and connections. That person was Louis Frachon. Carlos met Louis at a dinner party, where he learned that Louis had traveled through Mexico and loved Mexican food there.
Louis, as a serial entrepreneur and consultant, got so interested in flatev’s concept that he started meeting Carlos every Saturday. Louis supported Carlos and Jonas, helped build Flatev, and brought investors in the early stages.
We will finalize our production line for carnitas in December, 2016. Production Series 1 of flatev machines will be delivered for our Kickstarter backers (you!) in August, 2017.
The vision is to enable every household to have fresh bread at the push of a button. Tortillas are just the beginning of what flatev can do. Many cultures around the world have their own type of flatbread, and flatev plans to extend their selection to include other breads like Roti, Crepes and more.
This project wouldn’t be possible without our partners.
Risks and challenges
Creating healthy, delicious, affordable dough
At flatev we knew we had a big challenge; creating healthy, delicious, affordable dough that lasts, with no artificial preservatives. For the best tortilla-eating experience, only natural ingredients will do. Our tortillas are healthier, and they taste better. Nothing compares to flatev’s tortillas unless you make them from scratch using all natural ingredients.
The best tortillas are a little thicker than average so you can taste them, not just the filling! Our tortillas are much thicker than store bought tortillas, usually about twice the thickness. A great tortilla holds its own, and isn't afraid to be a little thicker. The perfect tortilla can be easily rolled, and has just the right bite. Your tortilla should hug the fillings without breaking, so your plate and fingers stay clean.
Our dough pods can be refrigerated for up to 6 weeks. To make sure they’re fresh when you get them, we’ll keep them chilled. Arranging refrigerated distribution, and using only high-quality organic ingredients are the reasons our tortillas may cost a little more than the ones you buy in the supermarket. We think it’s worth it for the convenience, the health benefits, and the truly delicious, traditional taste of our recipe.
We are always working on new ways to make the dough pod more affordable without compromising our quality standards, and your support on Kickstarter will help us with that.
Why pods?
Consistent quality, freedom of choice, and reduction of food waste:
Consistent quality - Inside each flatev dough pod is the precise amount of dough for you to enjoy one perfect tortilla. The pods control the precise blend of ingredients as well as their quality. The dough lasts 6 weeks and must be kept refrigerated.
Freedom of choice - Enjoy an assortment of different tortillas and wide variety of flavors within a meal. To start we will offer organic corn and flour tortillas in various flavors.
Reduction of food waste - Food waste pollutes the environment with carbon dioxide emissions. Make only the tortillas you need as you need them.
Sustainability
The flatev pods are made of polypropylene, plastic #5 (same material as your yogurt cups and bottle caps) that is fully recyclable. Our pods are different to single-serve coffee cups, because they have no residue left after usage and don’t contain filters. That means you can simply remove the pod foil from the pods, as you do with yogurt cups and recycle them in your nearest recycling station.
Delivery on time
Any manufacturing project can be faced with unexpected delays. We wouldn't want to ship you anything less than the highest quality. Our manufacturing needs could change, and with that, so might timelines. Fortunately, we're working with one of the top three worldwide appliance manufacturers. They have decades of experience, so we don't expect to encounter problems we can't over-come.
We know how frustrating it can be to not get your Kickstarter reward on time, so we'll always keep you up to date if something changes. We'll do everything we can to make sure you savor your delicious, perfect tortillas with your friends and families on time.
FAQ
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We think it’s great that you make your own tortilla dough! But due to variations in personal recipes and the precision needed for the flatev Artisan Tortilla Maker to bake tortillas properly, this version doesn’t work with handmade dough. It’s programmed to bake a very specific type, composition, and volume of dough.
To achieve this, the flatev Artisan Tortilla Maker works with recyclable dough pods delivering freshness and quality consistently every time. The pods control the precise blend of ingredients; so all of your tortillas come out perfect every time.
We are sure that you’ll love our tortillas! And, if you really want to get your hands dirty, you can always dig a vegetable garden. Your efforts can go into making your favorite fillings for the perfect tortilla!
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At flatev we knew we had a big challenge; creating healthy, delicious, affordable dough that lasts, with no artificial preservatives. For the best tortilla-eating experience, only natural ingredients will do. Our tortillas are healthier, and they taste better. Nothing compares to flatev’s tortillas unless you make them from scratch using all natural ingredients.
The best tortillas are a little thicker than average so you can taste them, not just the filling! Our tortillas are much thicker than store bought tortillas, usually about twice the thickness. A great tortilla holds its own, and isn't afraid to be a little thicker. The perfect tortilla can be easily rolled, and has just the right bite. Your tortilla should hug the fillings without breaking, so your plate and fingers stay clean.
Our dough pods can be refrigerated for up to 6 weeks. To make sure they’re fresh when you get them, we’ll keep them chilled. Arranging refrigerated distribution, and using only high-quality organic ingredients are the reasons our tortillas may cost a little more than the ones you buy in the supermarket. We think it’s worth it for the convenience, the health benefits, and the truly delicious, traditional taste of our recipe.
To achieve this level of quality, we anticipate that each pod will retail for $0.79 per pod. However, we are always working on new ways to make the dough pod more affordable without compromising our quality standards, and your support on Kickstarter will help us with that.
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At flatev, our focus is on quality not quantity. Our tortillas are fresh, all natural and organic and only made with the highest quality ingredients. To maintain the freshness and to provide you with the homemade tortilla experience you deserve, we package only one tortilla per pod assuring you receive the best, consistent, great tortilla taste and experience every time.
Individual pods also allows for great variety. If you want plain corn tortillas, and your other family members or friends prefer something a little spicier such as a chili tortilla, with flatev you can provide each person with exactly what they want and in the quantity they want. This not only provides a great dining experience, but the individual servings also reduce food waste.
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Consistent quality, freedom of choice, and reduction of food waste:
Consistent quality - Inside each flatev dough pod is the precise amount of dough for you to enjoy one perfect tortilla. The pods control the precise blend of ingredients as well as their quality. The dough lasts 6 weeks and must be kept refrigerated.
Freedom of choice - Enjoy an assortment of different tortillas and wide variety of flavors within a meal. To start we will offer organic corn and flour tortillas in various flavors.
Reduction of food waste - Food waste pollutes the environment with carbon dioxide emissions. Make only the tortillas you need as you need them. -
The flatev pods are made of polypropylene, plastic #5 (same material as your yogurt cups and bottle caps) that is fully recyclable. Our pods are different to single-serve coffee cups, because they have no residue left after usage and don’t contain filters. That means you can simply remove the pod foil from the pods, as you do with yogurt cups and recycle them in your nearest recycling station.
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For now the only way to get a flatev Artisan Tortilla Maker is through our Kickstarter campaign. People who support or back the project on Kickstarter get to have one of the very first flatev Artisan Tortilla Makers, and save a bunch compared to the future retail price. Once commercial, you can buy the flatev appliance directly on www.flatev.com, or at retail stores starting in the fall of 2017.
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For now the only way to get the flatev dough pods is through our Kickstarter campaign. People who support or back the project on Kickstarter get to have one of the very first Artisan Tortilla Makers and delicious dough pods, and save a bunch of money compared to the future retail price. Once commercial you can buy the dough pods directly on www.flatev.com, through food delivery services, or at retail stores starting in the fall of 2017.
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To reduce this probability flatev has partnered EugsterFrismag, a world-leading manufacturer for premium household brands (e.g. Jura and Nespresso coffee makers). However, on the off chance you do have problems you can call our customer support team to have the appliance shipped back for repair or replacement.
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The flatev Artisan Tortilla Maker will ship with a comprehensive instruction manual, or you can watch instruction videos on www.flatev.com.
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The flatev Artisan Tortilla Maker requires occasional cleaning which is easily accomplished by opening the panel at the back of the appliance or from the front by removing the pod and or the tortilla drawer. Much like a toaster, some consumers may prefer to never clean the interior of the appliance, and that is OK as well. Removable parts of the machine may be hand-washed.
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We will contact you before we ship your reward so you can choose which flavor of dough pods to receive. Currently we are planning on having corn and flour tortillas in plain, cinnamon, and chili. In the future we are planning to add many more of your favorite flavors.
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A free batch is 6 packages of 8 tortilla pods per package. You will be able to choose your flavor for each package.
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Yes, you can sign up for Tortilla Enthusiast Club at anytime and receive the full benefits such as a lower cost for the flatev Artisan Tortilla Maker and pre-scheduled deliveries.
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The flatev corn tortillas are naturally gluten free, and we are working around the clock to develop gluten free flour tortillas as well.
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The cooking time depends on the crispiness you like. We are expecting the standard process time to take less than 90 seconds per tortilla. Much less than the time to cook them using traditional methods, and that doesn’t even take into consideration the amount of time you save by not preparing, kneading, and mixing the dough.
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We currently only offer the flatev Artisan Tortilla Maker in the United States with a 110V power supply, however based on demand we plan to expand to other countries in the near future. Our vision is to enable every household to have fresh bread at the push of a button.
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At flatev we knew we had a big challenge; creating healthy, delicious, affordable dough that lasts, with no artificial preservatives. For the best tortilla-eating experience, only natural ingredients will do. To accomplish this, our dough pods require refrigeration and have a shelf life for up to 6 weeks. We think it’s worth it for the convenience, the health benefits, and the truly delicious, traditional taste of our recipe.
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Our vision is to enable every household to have fresh bread at the push of a button! At present we did not have kosher certification as part of our product roadmap, however we will certainly look into it.
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The flatev tortilla is between 5-6” in diameter, and what really makes them magical and worth the investment is their thickness. The best tortillas are a little thicker than average so you can taste them, not just the filling! Our tortillas are much thicker than store bought tortillas, usually about twice the thickness. A great tortilla holds its own, and isn't afraid to be a little thicker. The perfect tortilla can be easily rolled, and has just the right bite. Your tortilla should hug the fillings without breaking, so your plate and fingers stay clean.
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Currently we do not have plans to offer re-usable pods. Due to variations in personal recipes and the precision needed for the flatev Artisan Tortilla Maker to bake tortillas properly, this version doesn’t work with handmade dough. It’s programmed to bake a very specific type, composition, and volume of dough that ensure the perfect tortilla every time.
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Over the next few weeks, we are going to be sending you a ton of info on contests, stretch goals and more. Make sure you stay tuned for updates.
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Currently we are offering tortillas, however we are in the process of formulating other flatbreads to use with the flatev Artisan Tortilla Maker. We have already successfully had our first trial for Roti flatbreads.