UK-based grocery company Fresh Direct has unveiled its latest innovation, a plant-based meat alternative made from mushroom stalks which also helps address food waste.
Fresh Direct has teamed up with Irish mushroom grower, Umi Foods to save its key ingredient and transform these often discarded stalks into the new mushroom 'meat'. The ingredients list contains only a few other names, including soya protein, tapioca flour and coconut oil, which also ensures the product is vegan-friendly.
Ian Nottage, Head of Food Development at Fresh Direct, explained: "The texture of the mushroom meat provides a fantastic alternative to more traditional centre of plate options.
"It also has the benefit of avoiding food waste, as it's made from the unused stalk of the mushroom when it's harvested. With the fibrous root of the mushroom there is a natural texture, which gives a satisfying eating appeal. It's also suitable for vegans as only soya protein, tapioca flour and coconut oil are added to make this really innovative product.
"Our chefs have created some fantastic recipes, experimenting with barbecue flavours, perfect for the summer as well as an alternative to pulled pork, which is brilliant in a burger."
Projected sales of the new mushroom meat would see an estimated saving of around 80 tonnes of food waste every year.