Los Angeles-based Thallus Foods has announced that it is working to replace poultry with a nutrient-dense mushroom that "tastes just like chicken".
Thallus Foods will supply the product to meal kit companies, restaurants, distributors, universities, and more. The company is currently fundraising, and those who are interested in investment opportunities or distribution partnerships are invited to get in touch.
As consumers increasingly seek less processed meat alternatives, many companies are turning to mushrooms due to their naturally meaty texture. For example, plant-based chef Derek Sarno has helped to transform a former UK chicken farm into a sustainable mushroom-growing operation in a project described as a first for the country. UK mushroom producer Smithy Mushrooms, which is also involved in the initiative, reported last year that it had seen booming demand driven by increased interest in plant-based food.
In the Netherlands, GRO grows oyster mushrooms in waste coffee grounds, before using them to produce sustainable products such as burgers, croquettes, and ragout rolls. And last year, Singapore Finc and Huayuan Food Group announced they would construct a smart mushroom facility in Texas, reducing the US's dependence on imported mushrooms as demand grows due to changing eating habits.
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