A new business that grows lion’s mane mushrooms in Jersey is launching its first product.
Jersey Shroom Co. is holding the launch from 10am to 4pm on Saturday at the Alma Sana shop in Beresford Street.
Lion’s mane, an edible mushroom that grows in white, cascading spines, has been eaten in China and Japan for centuries.
It contains naturally occurring beta-glucans, a type of fibre found in mushrooms.
The fruiting body, the part of the mushroom that can be seen and picked, is where compounds called hericenones are found.
Research into lion’s mane and its compounds has drawn international attention.
Jersey Shroom Co. uses the whole mushroom, with each one picked by hand at its peak, dried the same day and milled into powder.
The business was co-founded by Alma Sana owner Sophie Anderson alongside Joelle Wallser and Jamie Kelly.
They began growing on a very small scale 18 months ago before adjusting their methods and scaling up.
Ms Anderson said: “The supplement industry has become more tightly regulated, and it’s continuing to, which we’re really pleased to see.
“I’m very selective about what goes on our shelves, and every brand is there for its integrity and quality. That’s what brought me to this. Our first batches are being tested now, so we can put numbers on the compounds in them.”
We’ve spent a year and a half learning how to grow Lion’s Mane well on the island, and tweaking everything as we went
Joelle Wallser, co-founder of Jersey Shroom Co.
The lion’s mane being grown by the business is going on sale in two formats – powder and capsules.
Ms Wallser said: “We’ve spent a year and a half learning how to grow Lion’s Mane well on the island, and tweaking everything as we went.
“We wanted to make something local that we could be really proud of, and we are.”
