Prime Roots, a plant-based meat startup that uses Koji, a Japanese fungus (Aspergillus oryzae), has introduced the world’s first line of Koji Deli Meats and charcuterie. Koji is a highly versatile ingredient used in popular fermented products such as soy sauce and miso; the nature of its mycelium helps recreate the dense, meaty texture.  

The new line includes sliceable hams, turkey, salami, pepperoni, foie gras as well as koji pâtés. They come in various flavors including cracked black pepper turkey and savory smokey ham. Although koji charcuterie does not yet have an established distribution, the company has reported that its bacon sales were previously quite strong with a long waitlist.

In 2020, the startup released its bestselling Koji Bacon, which was sold out within hours, creating a waitlist of more than 50,000 individuals. The startup has created and marketed over 30 items over the last two years, testing and selling a variety of koji meats.