If somebody says “mycelium,” what involves thoughts?

Mushrooms? Fungi? “The Final of Us”? Completely nothing?

What about steaks?

On the 2023 Pure Merchandise Expo West present in Anaheim, Calif., March 7-11, mycelium steaks had been on the menu, together with different stylish new merchandise comparable to cassava tortillas, baru nut path mixes, nootropic drinks and a brand new plant-based milk comprised of bamnuts.

[Read more: “Expo West Live: Inflation-Proof Categories Driving Sales for Grocers“]

For 5 days, greater than 85,000 attendees hit the present flooring, which was filled with greater than 3,000 exhibitors, together with Meati, maker of the mycelium steaks. Meati’s Basic Steak Greatest New Meat Various on the 2023 Pure Merchandise Expo West NEXTY Awards.

“The NEXTY award is the crown jewel of the pure and natural meals business, and we’re honored to be acknowledged as we launch nationally with Sprouts Farmers Market,” mentioned Scott Tassani, president and COO of Meati Meals. “After years spent growing an animal-free meat that delivers taste, vitamin, clear elements and sustainability, it’s particularly significant to be acknowledged as a standout given the unimaginable meals innovation and discriminating requirements that push this business ahead.”

Meati’s Basic Steak goals to ship a complete-protein, clean-label beef different that appeals not solely to the pure merchandise shopper but additionally to the on a regular basis shopper trying to diversify with animal-free choices. It’s composed of greater than 95% mycelium (mushroom root), with the remaining 5% comprising salt, pure taste, fruit juice for shade, oat fiber, vegetable juice and lycopene for shade, offering 30% DV of protein, 29% DV of fiber and a plethora of micronutrients.

The Boulder, Colorado-based startup based in 2017 has raised an extra $20 million in funding since asserting a $150 million collection C spherical final summer season, bringing its cumulative funding to $250 million.

Meati is one in an extended listing of latest corporations at Expo West making an attempt to create buzz round next-gen plant-based merchandise in classes comparable to sweet, snacks, drinks and cereal. 

Together with Meati, Progressive Grocer recognized 9 different sizzling merchandise or developments anticipated to develop in reputation within the coming 12 months that grocers may leverage to spice up gross sales.

Nootropics and Adaptogenics

Nootropic is the buzzy attribute that pure and natural buyers are in search of of their meals, and even their drinks, now. One nootropics-focused firm at Expo West was Native Climate, a useful sports activities drink made for “nonetheless you select to maneuver, with out leaving your thoughts behind.” The beverage is made for curler skating, gaming or “simply chillin” after a jump-rope marathon, the model says. It is correct hydration on your physique in addition to your mind, superpowered with nootropics, and solely 6 grams of cane sugar. Made cleaner, more healthy and friendlier, to manage your individual private “native climate,” the model says.

In the meantime, different manufacturers comparable to Mindright provide new chips and protein bars stuffed with nootropics. Talking of useful drinks and meals, adaptogenic merchandise had been booming at Expo West. House Tea, which calls itself the world’s first adaptogenic mushroom, iced tea and lemonade beverage, showcased six flavors: Authentic, Golden Mango, Summer time Watermelon, Lemon Zero, Hibiscus Zero and Matcha Zero. House Tea is licensed natural, non-GMO, gluten-free, and kosher. Adaptogenics are in every single place, together with in mocktails, path combine and glowing waters.

Water-Impartial Water

Whereas many water corporations at Expo West had been centered on getting out of single-use plastic and into aluminum cans, FreshPure Waters was centered on being “water impartial.” In accordance with the corporate, it is the one water model that offsets all carbon and water utilized in its manufacturing processes. Water impartial additionally means the corporate is investing in watersheds. Bulk water is already 1,2000% extra inexperienced than bottled, the corporate says, so by going water impartial, the model can hold increasing its sustainability commitments.

Anti-Bloat

Prebiotics, probiotics, post-biotics and every part in every single place abruptly having to do with caring for the intestine had been large themes in merchandise at this 12 months’s present. Spare Tonic is one model centered on intestine well being. The probiotic glowing tonics are available in flavors comparable to passionfruit yuzu; blueberry ginger; cucumber lime; lemon ginger; peach turmeric, and have vitamins comparable to protein, B nutritional vitamins, electrolytes, and gut-healthy probiotics whereas low in energy and sugar.

In the meantime the entrance of the bundle of Enzymedica’s pre- and probiotic Blueberry Fiber Cookies says “FOR YOUR DIGESTIVE HAPPINESS; BEAT THE BLOAT.” The cookies comprise a probiotic referred to as MB40 that’s “clinically confirmed to beat the bloat,” the corporate says. 

The New Excessive Fiber

Talking of intestine well being, it was wonderful to see so many progressive manufacturers making high-fiber attractive once more. One such model is Fiber Gourmand. The corporate has developed a line of low calorie, low carb and excessive fiber meals for these shoppers trying to bask in pasta, crackers and “different consolation meals.” Founder Tehila Mocton’s merchandise function RS4, a good-for-you fiber-boosting starch that weighs in at a slim 0.4 energy per gram, in comparison with conventional flour at 4 energy per gram. In accordance with the corporate, RS4 passes by means of the abdomen and small gut to achieve the colon. There, it converts into short-chain fatty acids, feeding good micro organism. Fiber from RS4 is a pure urge for food suppressant that helps you’re feeling fuller for longer, that means much less snacking and extra weight reduction. And RS4 can assist regulate blood sugar by bypassing digestion and decreasing common ranges over time.

BFY ‘Junk Meals’

Fairly probably the most important crowd I noticed on the present flooring was the one on the Goodles sales space. Individuals had been “ooohing” and “ahhing” over their high-protein prebiotic mac and cheese. How can a model with such an excellent title probably go incorrect? Based in 2022 by actress Gal Gadot, 4x CEO Jen Zeszut, former Annie’s President Deb Luster, model entrepreneur Paul Earle, and R&D chief Molly Michet, Goodles is reinventing the better-for-you junk meals class with type.

Quest Vitamin was on the present showcasing its Doritos-style chips, and Dole Meals confirmed off its new Dole Whip at dwelling merchandise.

Upcycled Meals

Meals waste is an more and more large challenge in grocery, and reducing again on it was a sizzling matter on the present. I noticed extra manufacturers than ever exhibiting off their Licensed Upcycled labels. The Upcycled Licensed Program is the world’s first third-party certification program for upcycled meals elements and merchandise. The flagship of this system is the on-package mark, which helps retailers function upcycled merchandise on shelf, and signifies to shoppers which merchandise are upcycled licensed, offering the chance to stop meals waste with each buy. Developed by the Upcycled Meals Affiliation, the mark highlights upcycled elements and merchandise procured and produced with surplus meals or meals by-products from manufacturing, that use verifiable provide chains and have a optimistic affect on the atmosphere.

One such firm was RIND, which says it believes a wholesome snack will be each good for you and the planet. “Our mission is to assist shoppers SNACK BETTER and DO BETTER by consuming the entire fruit, maximizing dietary worth and minimizing meals waste,” in accordance with the corporate’s web site. In 2021, consuming RIND merchandise helped save greater than 340,000 kilos of meals waste, the corporate says.  

Frozen Improvements

Frozen meals are sizzling as inflation-battered buyers look to economize on groceries, and there was loads of frozen innovation at Expo West. One such innovator was Bobabam; with their product, you’ll be able to simply heat up the frozen boba, add milk and bam — you’ve got the boba teahouse expertise at dwelling.

Fabalish has new falafel bites that are available in cute flavors comparable to Cheddary Broccoli, Zesty Zucchini and Kickin’ Carrot. The bites are vegan, gluten-free, natural, allergen free and made with entire veggies.

And I am unable to overlook to say Swell, the primary ever gelato made for canine. In accordance with the Oregon-based firm, Swell was created out of nostalgia for a time when meals was ready with easy but healthful elements to be shared with these you’re keen on. Every of Swell’s gelatos is handmade and crafted in small batches, making them  distinctive and scrumptious. They arrive in six flavors with “100% pure elements.”

Licensed B

One other certification that folks had been buzzing about at Expo West was Licensed B. An increasing number of corporations are selecting to certify as a B Corp., which designates {that a} enterprise is assembly excessive requirements of verified efficiency, accountability and transparency on elements starting from worker advantages and charitable giving to provide chain practices and enter supplies. Mega Meals, Portlandia Meals, Partake Meals, Pitaya Meals, Miyoko’s Creamery, and others are a part of a rising listing of Licensed B meals corporations.

Low Sodium Salt

As extra U.S. shoppers look to scale back their sodium consumption, right here comes MicroSalt, a developer and producer of a proprietary low-sodium salt referred to as MicroSalt. In accordance with the corporate web site, “We’re keen about enhancing peoples’ lives with better-for-you seasonings and snacks by taking the lead within the business by offering the most effective low-sodium salt resolution, based mostly on the mechanical transformation of the salt particle itself.”  The corporate’s patented expertise produces salt crystals which can be roughly 100 occasions smaller than typical desk salt, delivering a strong saltiness because the micro-grains dissolve within the mouth, with roughly 50% much less sodium consumption. Moreover, the ultra-small particle dimension enhances product adhesion, which reduces waste and gives improved taste consistency.