Monterey Nutra has launched a new premium lion’s mane extract powder, ManeFocus.
At the same time, the company has also moved operations to increase capacity tenfold and undergone a rebrand.
The company’s significant investment in the future is indicative of its commitment to being a leading supplier of nutritional mushroom ingredients.
“Monterey Nutra seeks to bring new energy to the functional mushroom industry,” said Molly Joo, Vice President of Business Development.
“The functional benefits of mushrooms are becoming more understood, but there is room for improvement both in the science of functional mushrooms and in the sensory experience of applications featuring them."
"We’re now well positioned to help progress and lead the category.”
ManeFocus is a proprietary mushroom extract that features an optimal ratio of hardwood-grown fruiting bodies and lion's mane mycelium, extracted to capture all active medicinal compounds, including terpenes and beta-glucans.
It is the only lion’s mane ingredient that is standardised to 1% total metabolites.
“By leveraging the expertise of the biotech division at our affiliate Amycel & Spawn Mate, we can create new strains such as ManeFocus and conduct DNA sequencing and strain maintenance research that other suppliers aren’t able to replicate,” said Amir Karian, Director of Nutraceuticals at Monterey Nutra.
ManeFocus is more soluble, bioavailable and better tasting than standard powders, making it suitable for coffees and other ready-to-drink beverages, stick packs, gummies, capsules and more.
To support the manufacturing of ManeFocus and in anticipation of future demand for functional mushroom ingredients, Monterey Nutra relocated its operations in August to one of Monterey Mushrooms’ existing farms in Watsonville, California.
The new facility significantly increases capacity and throughput to ensure customers have access to a reliable domestic supply chain and price stability.
To better reflect Monterey Nutra’s vision for the future, the company also underwent a rebrand that embodies its long history and expertise in mushroom growing and strain development with an eye toward unlocking the full potential of functional mushrooms and innovating with a purpose.
“Monterey has a legacy in mushrooms, but we’re not resting on the legacy,” Joo said.
“We’re constantly moving forward, exploring new frontiers in mushroom potential.”
Attendees of SupplySide Global can learn more about Monterey Nutra’s product portfolio and sample coffee containing its lion’s mane extract in the company’s booth (3074).