PRESS RELEASE
October 24, 2024
For immediate release

A CAFÉ in Swansea that prides itself on doing things a bit differently has created what is believed to be the UK’s first Lion’s Mane Burger, using fresh Lion’s Mane Mushrooms grown in Carmarthenshire.

Vegan Chef, Helen Wilson, of Ground Plant Based Coffee in Brynmill, has teamed up with growers at Madarch Ty Cynan Mushrooms,to turn their magical medicinal mushrooms into a totally unique offering – which has hit the menu by storm.

Lion’s Mane Mushroom is believed to have cognitive health benefits including helping to enhance your daily focus, combat brain fog and reduce stress.

The mighty mushrooms are harvested in Trimsaran, Carmathenshire and delivered by hand to Ground, who opened in 2021, post pandemic, as a tiny takeaway serving speciality coffee.

Once in the kitchen, they are finely chopped and combined with closed cup mushrooms, tempeh (fermented soya beans), seitan and 11 herbs, spices and other top secret ingredients, before going through a double cooking process as they are formed into burgers.

Helen said: “We started selling medicinal mushrooms in coffee early in 2023 and have watched interest and popularity grow in Lion’s Mane. I had been looking for a Welsh supplier of fresh Lion’s Mane for ages. When I found out it was being grown in Carmarthenshire I couldn’t wait to experiment with it and see if it could be made into a burger.”

Since being launched as a special on Ground’s menu at the start of October, the Lion’s Mane, Tempeh and Seitan Burger has been their top selling item after Oat Lattes.

Helen added: “At Ground we like doing things differently. We opened as Swansea’s first plant based coffee shop, making a commitment to serve coffee with oat milk as standard.

“Since then we have continued to push the boundaries on what’s possible with plant based food. Our motivation is to produce food and drink that is not only good for people’s health but is also better for the enviornment and sustainability and a Lion’s Mane Burger produced in Wales, by us, is just this.

“Reducing or stopping consumption of animal products is the single biggest thing anyone can do to reduce their carbon footprint – this is what we are passionate about.

“Our Lion’s Mane Burger is high in protein, packed with flavour and is served in a vegan brioche bun, with sriracha mayonnaise, pickles and tomato, alongside roasted Welsh baby potatoes and salad, so ticks all the boxes.”        

Madarch Ty Cynan Mushrooms is a partnership between Tetrim Teas, Madarch Cymru & Cleobury. The company grow gourmet mushrooms, including Lion’s Mane, Shiitake and Wood Oyster in three growing units in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Gwynedd. 

Kelly Stockwell, Tetrim Teas Business Development Manager, said: “Helen’s innovative Lion’s Mane Burger, crafted with mushrooms we’ve carefully grown, serves as a culinary inspiration.  We’re delighted that Ground have showcased such an inventive and delicious way to feature our mushrooms as a standout vegan dish.”

The Lion’s Mane that Ground is using is being supplied by Tetrim Teas as part of a collaborative research project funded by Innovate UK working with Aberystwyth University, Llaeth Y Llan, Phytoquest  and Afallen LLP.

The project is focussed on developing functional food products that incorporate ingredients such as Lion’s Mane that can provide additional health benefits. 

Joseph Kidd, from Afallen, said: “Whilst Lions Mane has been creating a buzz for a while now, incorporating it into foods so that it is more widely accessible is the next big step. Establishments like Ground are at the forefront of this with the development of their burger – combining great taste with valuable health benefits.”

ENDS

For more information about Ground, find us on Instagram, Tik Tok and Facebook and at www.groundcoffeeswansea.com/

Helen Wilson
greatgreenkitchen@gmail.com
07581 005605

Ground Plant Based Coffee was opened in 2021 by Helen and business partner, Matt-Barker Smith. The café can be found on Francis Street, Swansea. We are Monday – Saturday.

Helen has worked in the vegan industry for 16 years in recipe development, food writing and photography. She is a self-taught cook who has been vegetarian since the age of 10 and vegan since 2008.

Before moving to Wales in 2012, she worked for Viva!, the UK’s leading vegan campaigning charity, as Editor and Food & Cookery Manager in Bristol.

She has had dozens of recipe’s published digitally and in print and has hosted many talks and cookery demonstrations across the UK and online.

Additional information about Lion’s Mane

Lions Mane Mushrooms have been used in traditional medicine for centuries. Some suggest suggest they may health benefits, including: 

• Nerve damage

Lion’s mane extract may help speed up recovery from nerve injuries by stimulating nerve cell growth. 

• Heart health

Lion’s mane mushrooms may lower the risk of heart disease by reducing triglyceride levels. 

• Inflammation

Lion’s mane mushrooms have anti-inflammatory properties, which may help reduce symptoms of arthritis. 

• Immune system

Lion’s mane contains beta-glucans, which may help strengthen the immune system. 

• Cognitive health

Some studies suggest that lion’s mane mushrooms may help with cerebral and sensory development. 

Madarch Ty Cynan Mushrooms

The exotic gourmet mushroom growing business is a part of a partnership between Tetrim Teas, Madarch Cymru and Cleobury. The new initiative has already contributed to local employment, Welsh language opportunities, and community profit-sharing.

The growing units are located in the heart of communities in Trimsaran, Carmarthenshire, Penparcau, Aberystwyth and Bethsesda, Gwynedd.  The 20ft x8ft units have been adapted by innovative startup Tetrim Teas to grow mushrooms, specifically current trend-setter Lion’s Mane Mushroom, famed for its health-promoting properties, along with Wood Oyster and Shiitake.

Producing up to 150kg of mushrooms a week, the unit will sell its produce – both fresh and dried – to local restaurants and cafes, health food shops, as well as becoming the key ingredient in Tetrim Teas’ Lion’s Mane Mushroom Tea, which has recently won a Great Taste Award.  The initiative not only boosts the economy by serving as an inspiration to other businesses, but also plays an important role in the community.