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While the lion is typically crowned ‘king of the jungle,’ the lion’s mane mushroom reigns supreme in the fungi kingdom. Touted as the ‘mental health mushroom,’ this large, white, shaggy-looking species may offer a range of health benefits, including improved cognitive health, mood regulation, and reduced anxiety and depression. FoodBev explores….

‘Food as medicine’ is not a new concept, and functional mushrooms have long been heralded as a hero ingredient within the wellness community.

Each variety offers a unique set of benefits. Reishi may help to manage stress, enhance mood and improve the quality of sleep. Cordyceps are popular among active individuals as they are said to boost metabolic rate, aid muscle recovery and regulate oxygen/breathing. Meanwhile, chaga may reduce inflammation and lower blood sugar levels.

One mushroom species gaining recognition for its health-boosting properties is lion’s mane. With its unique white, shaggy-looking locks (which resemble a lion’s mane), this mushroom has been linked to myriad health benefits.

Functional mushrooms in the mainstream

Lion’s mane mushrooms have long been a rare find in mainstream retail, typically confined to speciality health stores, farmers' markets and ecommerce. Despite their rising popularity, they've remained largely out of reach for the average shopper.

That’s what makes Urban Farm-It’s recent launch in Sainsbury’s such a game-changer. The Kent-based organic mushroom farm is bringing fresh lion’s mane mushrooms to Sainsbury’s superstores nationwide, marking a notable development in the availability of functional mushrooms in mainstream supermarkets, a category that remains largely underrepresented in the UK grocery market.

Available in 200g punnets priced at £5, the introduction of this gourmet ingredient into Sainsbury’s not only enhances the supermarket's offerings but also reflects a growing consumer interest in plant-based alternatives and functional foods.

Elliot Webb, founder of Urban Farm-It, said: “This is a huge milestone for us. Bringing fresh, UK-grown Lion’s Mane mushrooms to consumers across the country is a testament to our commitment to sustainable food production.”

The introduction of Lion’s Mane mushrooms into Sainsbury’s is expected to resonate with a demographic increasingly interested in functional foods and plant-based diets. While the market for functional mushrooms is expanding, their presence in mainstream supermarkets remains rare, making this launch a critical point of interest for food manufacturers and retailers alike.

King of the fungi

What makes lion's mane mushrooms so formidable?

“The potent bioactive compounds and polysaccharides found in lion’s mane nourish the brain cells, promotes nerve growth and improve memory,” David Longacre, CEO and founder of Nature’s Rise – a Californian company offering organic functional mushroom products – told FoodBev.

He continued: “Lion’s mane also helps boost your immune system, fighting off inflammation and oxidative stress. Moreover, lion’s mane helps reduce stress and improve mood, as it increases

he body’s brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels – a natural antidepressant.”

In addition to having prebiotic effects, its main benefits are neurological, including increasing the production of nerve growth factors an promoting nerve repair and regeneration. Additionally, it is said to carry calming properties and is often found to be beneficial in helping alleviate symptoms of menopause.

The hunt begins

Typically found in the forests of regions such as North America, Europe and Asia, lion’s mane mushrooms tend to grow in late summer and autumn in temperate climates.

This mushroom has a natural habitat of hardwoods, as Longacre explained: “They have a fruiting body that usually grows on or around decomposing and dead logs or stumps of trees like maple, oak, birch, sycamore and walnut”.

Martin Powell, founder of MycoNutri – a UK-based mushroom supplier – told FoodBev that the majority of lion’s mane mushrooms are cultivated in China, with a smaller quantity produced in the US and “increasing amounts for culinary use in countries such as the UK”.

A challenging extraction

Lion’s mane powder can be extracted from the fruiting body, mycelium (root-like part), or both. It is extracted using hot water and alcohol like ethanol.

When combined, these two extraction methods form a double extract, which ensures the end product contains all of the vital nutrients and compounds that guarantee maximum health benefits. “Spray-dried powders or 1:1 extracts are also increasingly popular, especially in the US,” Powell added.

He added: “Lion’s mane contains high levels of short-chain oligosaccharides, which tend to caramelise on exposure to hot air when spray-drying with the resultant stickiness, causing the dried material to block the exit from the spray dryer”.

“In order to avoid this, maltodextrin or finely powdered fruiting body is normally added to the concentrated extract prior to spray-drying.”

Prowling for products

Lion’s mane is said to have a slightly sweetflavour and meaty texture, similar to that of

some shellfish, making it a popular plant-based alternative for use in various dishes and products, and manufacturers are increasingly innovating in this space.

Nature’s Rise says its organic powder format offers consumers the ease of adding just one scoop to water or mixing it with coffee, tea smoothies or post-workout drinks. The powder can also be used to add flavour to a recipes such as soups or stews.

MycoNutri offers lion’s mane in both capsule and powder formats and recommends that consumers take two capsules between one and three times a day as a dietary supplement. Four Sigmatic, an organic coffee and plant-based protein brand, offers ground, whole bean and packet coffee options for its consumers with lion’s mane extract already mixed in.

UK natural energy drink brand Tenzing developed a new ‘Super Natural’ energy blend in ‘Fiery Mango’ flavour in October last year. It contained 500mg of lion’s mane to provide mood, immune boosting and antioxidant properties, while 16mg of vitamin C added immune support.

In January, M&S released two health ranges, reflecting a growing industry trend to prioritise nutritional offerings. The new YAY! Mushrooms line are designed to meet increasing consumer demand for products that support cognitive function and overall wellbeing. Its Vanilla Latte is a unique twist on the classic latte, infused with lion’s mane for added cognitive support.

The range also includes: Creamy Cacao Oat Drink with Lion’s Mane and Maca: £2.75 250ml, Golden Tumeric Oat Drink with Lion’s Mane: £2.75 250ml, AM Mushroom Cold Pressed Dosing Bottle: £4.00 500ml and PM Mushroom Cold Pressed Dosing Bottle: £4.00 500ml.

Meanwhile, Little Saints launched St. Juniper, a non-alcoholic spirit aimed at consumers seeking alternatives to traditional alcoholic beverages. This product is notable for being the first gin alternative made with organic lion's mane mushroom.

Known to many as the ‘mental health mushroom,’ its myriad health benefits are what make lion’s mane all the more magical. From promoting cognitive health and improving memory to reducing inflammation and boosting the immune system, this species reigns supreme in the world of functional fungi.

FoodBev expects to see a number of innovative products launched containing this mighty mushroom in the coming year.