BOULDER, COLO. — Meati, a startup creating whole-cut meat alternatives from mushroom roots, is launching its first steak filet product.
Available direct-to-consumer through the brand’s website, Meati’s steak filet is made with mycelium, the vegetative part of fungus consisting of thread-like fibers. Mycelium’s texture may be used to create a variety of types and cuts of animal meat, according to the company. It also provides a neutral texture, eliminating the need for masking agents, and requires a small amount of land, energy and water to produce.
Meati’s steak filet is 95% mycelium and less than 2% salt, vegetable juice, natural flavor, oat fiber and fruit juice and lycopene for color. Each 4-oz serving comes as a whole-cut filet, is rich in umami flavor and may be seasoned and prepared like a conventional piece of steak.
The filet avoids the fat and cholesterol of beef — with just 0.5 grams of fat and no cholesterol per serving — and contains 120 calories. It offers 14 grams of protein, 9 grams of dietary fiber and micronutrients such as riboflavin, niacin, folate, vitamin B12, zinc and copper.
Meati’s steak filet will be available online beginning May 23 for $35 for four filets. The Boulder, Colo.-based startup in March introduced a line of classic and crispychicken-style cutlets, marking its first national consumer offering. The cutlets also are 95% mycelium and may be pan seared, baked or grilled like animal meat.