Quorn

Quorn is a brand of meat substitute products originating from the United Kingdom and available in 19 countries. Quorn is sold as both a cooking ingredient and as the meat substitute used in a range of prepackaged meals.

History

Quorn was launched in 1985 by Marlow Foods, a joint venture between Rank Hovis McDougall (RHM) and Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI). The product was initially introduced in the UK, and later expanded to other parts of Europe and eventually to North America in 2002.

Production

Quorn products are made from Mycoprotein, a nutritious member of the fungi family. The mycoprotein used in Quorn products is fermented in large tanks. The process is similar to the production of beer or yogurt. The mycoprotein is then combined with egg albumen, which acts as a binder, and is textured, giving it some of the grained character of meat.

Nutritional Value

Quorn is high in protein, with the mycoprotein component of Quorn being a complete protein source - that is, it contains all essential amino acids. It is also high in dietary fibre, low in saturated fat and contains no cholesterol.

Environmental Impact

Quorn's mycoprotein production process uses 90% less land and water than producing some animal protein sources. The brand has been recognized for its lower environmental impact compared to other sources of protein.

Controversies

Despite its benefits, Quorn has faced some controversies. Some people have reported adverse reactions to Quorn, which may be due to an intolerance to the mycoprotein used in its production.

See Also

• Meat analogue
• Vegetarianism
• Veganism