Quorn facts

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Q: How does Quorn taste and look?

A: In its pure form, the Quorn mycoprotein — made from a fungus — has a mushroom-like flavor. The finished products are flavored and processed to make them taste like either chicken or beef. Their textures and looks are convincing.

Q: So why not just eat ground beef or chicken?

A: Some Quorn products contain fewer calories, less saturated fat and cholesterol than chicken and beef. Quorn tenders, for example, have just two grams of fat, no cholesterol and 90 calories per serving.

Q: Wow, sounds like I could eat a lot of this stuff.

A: Easy does it. Quorn nuggets and cutlets contain more fat and calories than the tenders: eight grams and 200 calories per serving. The good news: They have zero cholesterol and only one gram of saturated fat. You can beat those numbers, however, with other meat substitutes, including:

• Boca's Chik'n Nuggets (190 calories, seven grams fat, two of them saturated, and no

cholesterol);

• Actual chicken nuggets, including Trader Joe's Chicken Drumettes (150 calories, six grams of fat, including 1-1/2 grams saturated, and 35 milligrams of cholesterol).

Ground Quorn stacks up better against beef: A three-ounce serving has 80 calories, 2 ½ grams of fat (0.5 saturated) and zero cholesterol, while a three-ounce serving of extra-lean ground beef has 198 calories; 14 grams of fat (6 saturated) and 59 milligrams of cholesterol.

Q: How much will it cost?

A: It varies slightly by region and store, but Quorn is being sold at about $4 per package, roughly equivalent to a package of chicken breasts, a pound of ground beef or a package of meat alternatives.

— The Washington Post