Itz Nutz

What Itz Nutz does

Itz Nutz is a Turkey-based, privately held food company founded in 2021 that manufactures and sells fermented cashew-based dairy alternatives, including strained yogurt, aged block cheeses, cream cheese spreads, plant-based butters, cashew spreads, and fermented cashew drinks (ayran alternatives). Its core technology is traditional fermentation using specific probiotic cultures (Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. Bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus acidophilus) combined with aging techniques borrowed from European cheesemaking — some products are aged for up to two months — alongside a zero-pesticide raw material policy with mandatory border and independent laboratory testing. Production is conducted at a ~1,000 m² facility in Maltepe, İstanbul, operating under seven ISO certifications and V Label vegan certification.

The company generates revenue through three streams: direct-to-consumer e-commerce on itznutz.com (priced ₺95-₺450 per unit), wholesale distribution across 300+ Turkish retail points (Metro Gross Market, Migros, Macrocenter, File, Boldy, Eataly), and private-label/co-manufacturing supply to Metro Türkiye under the Metro Chef Veggie brand, which extends Itz Nutz products into Metro's commercial and retail customers. It also serves the UK market with a distinct 10-SKU product line. Pricing is anchored on a unit basis in Turkish Lira, with student (.edu) and new-subscriber discount programs supporting B2C acquisition.

The customer base spans lactose-intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and health-conscious consumers in Turkey and the UK, plus B2B buyers in retail private-label and foodservice. The brand was co-founded by pediatrician and nutrition specialist Dr. Ayşenur Yıldırım (who develops the recipes and leads the Itz Nutz Kidz infant/toddler line) and an engineer partner. In September 2025, Itz Nutz raised $535,000 in seed funding from ŞirketOrtağım, earmarked for product development and expansion of its cashew-based dairy alternative portfolio.

Name

Itz Nutz

Legal name

Itz Nutz

Website

https://itznutz.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Itz Nutz is a Turkey-based food company (founded 2021) that produces fermented cashew-based dairy alternatives — including yogurt, aged cheeses, butters, spreads, and ayran-style drinks — selling via DTC e-commerce, 300+ Turkish retail points, UK distribution, and private-label supply to Metro Türkiye.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Plant-based dairy alternatives

NAICS

Dairy Product Manufacturing (3115), Dairy Product (except Frozen) Manufacturing (31151)

SIC

Dairy Products (2020), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Plant-Based Yogurt & Cultured Alternatives Processing (Fermented Spoonable/Drinkable) (AFAHAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Plant-Based Yogurt Drinks & Cultured Alternatives (AFAFAEAG), Plant-Based & Alternative Dairy Cultures (Vegan Yogurt/Cheese, Fermented Plant Beverages) (AFAJAJAG), Dairy Alternatives (Plant-Based Milk, Yogurt, Creamers) (CRADACAF)

Keywords

• Plant-based dairy alternatives
• Cashew fermented products
• Vegan cheese alternatives
• Dairy-free yogurt
• Plant-based butter spreads

Headquarters

HQ city

Istanbul

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Direct-to-consumer product sales: Itz Nutz sells its cashew-based dairy alternative products (yogurts, cheeses, butters, spreads) directly to consumers through its e-commerce website. Products include Fermente Süzme Kaju (fermented strained cashew yogurt), various aged cashew cheese blocks, cashew butters, and cashew pastes. Pricing ranges from ₺95 to ₺450 per unit.
2. Private-label B2B supply to Metro Türkiye: Itz Nutz manufactures and supplies private-label cashew-based products to Metro Türkiye under the Metro Chef Veggie brand, including Fermente Süzme Kaju and various plant-based mezes and fermented cashew beverages sold in Metro stores.
3. Wholesale/retail distribution: Products are sold through major Turkish retail chains including Metro Gross Market, Migros, Macrocenter, File, Boldy, and Eataly across 300+ retail points. This represents a wholesale distribution revenue stream.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Itz Nutz manufactures and sells fermented cashew-based dairy alternatives including strained cashew yogurt, aged cashew cheese blocks (plain, spiced, truffle, black garlic, herbed, Parmesan-style), cashew cream cheese, spreadable cashew butter, cashew spreads, and fermented cashew drinks. The products are positioned as vegan, lactose-free, gluten-free, additive-free, and preservative-free alternatives to traditional dairy, produced using traditional fermentation with probiotic cultures in an ISO-certified facility in Istanbul.

Product overview

Itz Nutz is a Turkey-based food brand specializing in fermented cashew-based plant dairy alternatives. The product portfolio consists of five core product lines spanning yogurt alternatives (Fermente Süzme Kaju, available in plain, with granola, and larger 500g formats), aged cashew cheese blocks (Olgunlaştırılmış Kalıp Kaju in plain, spiced, truffle, black garlic, and Parmesan-style variants), spreadable products (Kahvaltılık Sürme Kaju cream cheese, Sürmelik Kaju Yağı and garlic-herb butter alternatives), cashew spreads (plain and coconut-vanilla Kaju Ezmesi), and fermented cashew drinks (plain and basil flavors positioning as plant-based ayran alternatives). All products are vegan, lactose-free, gluten-free, and made without additives or preservatives using traditional fermentation methods. The company also operates a private-label/co-manufacturing arrangement with Metro Turkey under the METRO Chef Veggie brand. The products share a core technological approach: high-quality cashew nuts processed through controlled fermentation using probiotic cultures (Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. Bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus acidophilus) to produce yogurt and cheese-like textures without dairy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fermente Sözme Kaju (Fermented Strained Cashew Yogurt) Fermented strained cashew yogurt produced using traditional fermentation methods, probiotic-rich, lactose-free, and gluten-free, served with 25 g Naturiga granola. Targeted at lactose-intolerant, vegan, and health-conscious consumers seeking a plant-based yogurt alternative with traditional yogurt taste.
• 4-Pack Fermente Sözme Kaju with Wild Blueberry & Mango Gluten-Free Granola Bundle A 4-pack bundle combining probiotic plant-based fermented strained cashew yogurt with Naturiga gluten-free granola flavored with wild blueberry and mango, designed as a nutritious plant-based breakfast. Targeted at consumers seeking convenient, ready-to-eat breakfast alternatives.
• Fermente Sözme Kaju 500g (Fermented Strained Cashew Yogurt 500g) Larger 500g format of the fermented strained cashew yogurt for regular household consumption, probiotic-rich, lactose-free, and gluten-free with traditional yogurt taste.
• Otlu Kalıp Kaju (Herbed Aged Cashew Block) Aged herbed cashew block cheese alternative enriched with natural herbs, offering a traditional cheese taste in a plant-based format suitable for breakfast and wine pairings.
• Baharatlı Olgunlaştırılmış Kalıp Kaju (Spiced Aged Cashew Block) Aged cashew block coated with spices (thyme, black pepper, paprika, red pepper, sea salt) featuring a spiced rind and creamy interior, aged at least three weeks for an artisan cheese alternative.
• Trüflü Olgunlaştırılmış Kalıp Kaju (Truffle Aged Cashew Block) Aged cashew block infused with 0.15% truffle oil creating a gourmet cheese alternative with a luxurious aroma, suitable for evening meals, cheese platters, pasta, and wine pairings.
• Siyah Sarımsaklı Olgunlaştırılmış Kalıp Kaju (Black Garlic Aged Cashew Block) Aged cashew block with 3.1% black garlic offering a deep and bold gourmet flavor, combining fermented cashew with black garlic and gut-friendly probiotics.
• Olgunlaştırılmış Kalıp Kaju — Sade (Plain Aged Cashew Block) Plain aged cashew block with original cashew cheese flavor mimicking Ezine cheese texture, aged one month with daily turning and salting, suitable for breakfast and dinner tables.
• Kaju Parmesan Tadında (Cashew Parmesan Style) Cashew-based Parmesan-style cheese alternative aged for two months featuring an intense aroma and firm texture, used as a topping for pasta, salads, soups, and pizzas.
• Kahvaltılık Sürme Kaju / Kaju Krem Peynir (Cashew Cream Cheese Spread) Soft, spreadable, creamy cashew cream cheese alternative with smooth texture, containing 342 mg calcium per 100g, enjoyed on bread, in sandwiches, and snacks.
• Sürmelik Kaju Yağı / Kaju Tereyağı (Plain Spreadable Cashew Butter) Plant-based butter alternative made from fermented cashew yogurt with creamy texture and natural taste, suitable for breakfast, cooking, baking, and desserts.
• Sarımsaklı & Otlu Sürmelik Kaju Yağı (Garlic & Herb Cashew Butter) Artisan cashew butter with rosemary, dill, and 0.7% garlic, made from fermented cashew yogurt, as a spreadable butter alternative with rich aromatic flavor for hot and cold dishes.
• Kaju Ezmesi — Sade (Plain Cashew Spread) 100% plant-based plain cashew spread made from raw cashews without added sugar or additives, high in fiber, protein, iron, selenium, and magnesium (200g).
• Kaju Ezmesi — Hindistan Cevizi Vanilyalı (Coconut Vanilla Cashew Spread) Cashew spread naturally flavored with coconut and vanilla bean, without extra sugar or additives, with 17.6g protein per 100g for a tropical-tasting spreadable alternative.
• Fesleğenli Fermente Kajulu İçecek (Basil Fermented Cashew Drink) Fresh basil-flavored fermented cashew drink, probiotic-rich with live cultures (L. bulgaricus, S. thermophilus, L. acidophilus), positioned as a plant-based ayran alternative (250 ml).
• Sade Fermente Kajulu İçecek (Plain Fermented Cashew Drink) Plain fermented cashew drink with creamy texture and balanced flavor, probiotic-rich with live cultures (L. bulgaricus, S. thermophilus, L. acidophilus), positioned as a plant-based ayran alternative (250 ml).
• METRO Chef Veggie Private-Label Cashew Products Cashew-based plant-based products manufactured by Itz Nutz for Metro Türkiye under the METRO Chef Veggie brand, including Fermente Sözme Kaju, plant-based mezes (Haydari, Köz Patlıcan, Kurutulmuş Domatesli, Havuç Tarator), and Fine Life fermented cashew beverages. Sold in Metro stores across Turkey as Metro's own plant-based line.

Quantifiable outcome

• Fermented cashew yogurt contains 2-3x more protein than traditional yogurt
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Metro TürkiyecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorItz Nutz produces and supplies its Fermente Süzme Kaju as the base ingredient for Metro Türkiye's private-label Metro Chef Veggie plant-based product line. Products sold under Metro Chef Veggie include Fermente Süzme Kaju, Bitki Bazlı Haydari, Bitki Bazlı Köz Patlıcanlı Meze, Bitki Bazlı Kurutulmuş Domatesli Meze, Bitki Bazlı Havuç Tarator, and Fine Life Fermente Kaju İçeceği (sade and fesleğenli). This is a core strategic distribution partnership expanding Itz Nutz's reach to Metro's commercial and retail customers across Turkey.
• V LabelminorOthersV Label is an internationally recognized vegan and vegetarian certification system (established in Switzerland in 1996, accepted in 30+ countries) that verifies Itz Nutz products are free from animal-derived ingredients and not tested on animals. Products carry the V Label logo for consumer assurance.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Violife: Global plant-based cheese brand owned by Upfield, offering dairy-free block cheeses, slices, and cream cheese. Closest direct peer by product format (aged-style cheese alternatives) and retail channel reach, though at much larger scale.
• Miyoko's Creamery: US-based artisan plant-based cheese and butter brand using cashew and other nut bases with traditional aging techniques. Highly comparable on fermentation/aging methodology and premium positioning.
• Kite Hill: US-based plant-based cheese, yogurt and butter made from almond and other nut milks using traditional fermentation cultures. Direct overlap on product range (yogurt + aged cheese) and clean-label positioning.
• Forager Project: Plant-based dairy brand offering cashew-based yogurts, cheeses, and creams. Direct competitor in the fermented cashew yogurt niche and similar retail-channel strategy.
• Good Planet Foods: Plant-based cheese brand producing block, sliced, and shredded dairy alternatives. Comparable on retail distribution model and SKU breadth in plant-based cheese category.
• Follow Your Heart: Pioneer in plant-based dairy alternatives (cream cheese, sour cream, cheese) sold through US natural and mainstream retailers. Comparable on multi-SKU dairy substitute portfolio and aging techniques.

Broad incumbents

• Daiya Foods: Larger plant-based food company offering cheese, pizza, and dairy alternatives across North America. Overlaps on retail distribution and product format but operates at a much broader portfolio scale.
• Upfield: Global plant-based spreads and dairy alternatives parent (Violife, Flora). Represents the broader incumbent competitive context and acquisition pathways for premium plant-based cheese brands.

Emerging players

• Nush Foods: Early-stage nut-based dairy alternative brand (yogurt, cheese) with similar clean-label and vegan positioning. Comparable as a smaller emerging competitor in the plant-based dairy category.

Others

• Oatly: Plant-based beverage and dairy substitute leader. Not a direct cashew-competitor but the broader category benchmark for scaling plant-based dairy brands via retail and foodservice partnerships.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Itz Nutz