Lion’s mane, the adaptogenic mushroom known for its positive effects on cognition and mood, is increasingly showing up in the ingredient lists of beverages, snack bars and bakery products. Now a brand is bringing the adaptogen to the UK meat alternatives category for the first time.

Happiee, a maker of seafood alternatives, was founded in 2022 by Singapore-based Growthwell Foods. It launched its wheat, tapioca and konjac root-based shrimp and calamari alternatives in the UK in 2023, claiming to be the first of its kind, and quickly secured listings in all of the country’s major supermarket chains. The brand is now bringing another market-first to the UK, in the form of plant-based meat alternatives made from lion’s mane mushroom.

The product can be found in 240 Sainsbury’s supermarkets across the UK, where it is sold marinated and prepared, ready to cook. A key reason for this is the taste and texture challenges involved with fresh lion’s mane mushroom, which can easily take on a bitter flavour if prepared incorrectly.

Providing 4.1-4.2g of protein per 100g, the nutrition profile for Happiee’s lion’s mane chunks is nowhere near that of meat or of a soy-based product (which typically provides around 20g), but it does deliver 2.8g of fibre per 100g. One 180g pack retails at £4 ($5.34/€4.70), a major price premium over other branded plant-based chunks.

Promoted for its chewy, meaty texture and a “tender, satiating bite”, the chunks are also said to be a convenient option for mid-week meals, being ready to eat after only a few minutes in the pan.

“Our primary focus is on creating nutrient-rich, exciting foods made with mind-and-mood-boosting ingredients to drive consumer cut through at a time where we’re seeing the plant-based meat category declining due to the ultra-processed food link,” said Justin Chou, Happiee’s co-founder and CEO. “We want to be the fresh face of the plant-based wholefood category, where we see a huge growth opportunity.”