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"The incredible diversity of form and color of slime molds keeps me obsessively searching for new species to photograph."
Lichter began taking photos three years ago using an iPhone with a broken screen, but it wasn't long before he leveled up his camera game.
Due to their distinctive nutty, earthy, and hearty flavor, porcini mushrooms are a great way to level up the flavor of your favorite dishes while also adding a health punch. Not just porcini mushrooms have a great taste but also a boost of health benefits and nutrition. These mushrooms are packed with iron, fiber, and
Physarum, maybe Physarum nutans
Rhizopus on a strawberry.
Learn how to store oyster mushrooms properly to keep them fresh for up to 7-10 days. This article covers the best methods for storing oyster mushrooms in the refrigerator, freezer, or dehydrator, as well as tips for preventing mold and spoilage.
Whether looking at the trees with shelf-like mushroom growths, staring at the mold that has developed far too soon on the loaf of bread in your cupboard, or being amused by the caterpillar while reading Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, one thing is clear, there is fungus among us! For the Love of Homeschooling is ready to explore that fungus with our Nature Study Club explorers!You can so DIY projects like this terrarium below - you can find this in our Senior and Explorer Workbooks.Join us for
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Learn how to store oyster mushrooms properly to keep them fresh for up to 7-10 days. This article covers the best methods for storing oyster mushrooms in the refrigerator, freezer, or dehydrator, as well as tips for preventing mold and spoilage.
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Spring may get all the attention, but summer is a great time to be out in the mushroom woods. There are plenty of choice edibles popping up and many of...
Get inspired with our simple and impressive Maitake mushroom recipe. Perfect for dinner parties or at-home dining. Check out and read our blog post now!
OK, I know "mildly interesting" doesn't sound as exciting as "nature is f**king lit" or "nature is metal" but this subreddit also features lit and metal pictures of Mother Earth.
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We started growing these a few years back and we improved on the system to make it accessible to almost all homesteaders whether city or rural and this is what we came up with. Materials : Inoculated spawn mixture usually consisting of spores mixed with a sawdust product. A drill with 1 to 3 cm ( .5-1 " US ) drillbits. A few food grade buckets ( with lids ) and a large plastic tote or container . Access to a very large and safe container or a standard bathtub. straw broken up Usually about 10-15 lbs of wet straw per bucket. Plastic sanitation gloves optional A couple of pots for boiling water A large plastic garbage bag A little bit of food grade alcohol. ( or bleach , more in this later ) Paper towels or small rag The 5 gallon bucket mushroom grow system is not only versatile but it's also practical. This method is not for anal retentive cerebral folks looking to prove how much they think they are a god. This is a simplified method for people who Just want to grow some shrooms .Single food grade buckets ( often free ) could be kept on your countertop or the corner and since the buckets are stackable it allows you to grow many different varieties of mushrooms all-in-one place. Oysters are used primarily by me with this system but experiment if you like. Boil water and place straw in a basin . Pour hot water over straw in basin and keep soaking for a few minutes .Your straw can be roughly chopped or just broken up well. The more you chop the less spawn mix you can use. I skip the chopping method and instead beak it up Well and use more spawn because ... Spawn is cheap especially if you make it yourself . Now comes the straw sanitation. Variants : Purists will say you have to place your straw in a pressure cooker and heat the it to all Hades . Some will say you have to boil it in a pot for an hour Truth being they are also destroying the nutrient base that is suppose to feed the mushrooms by doing this. A few minutes is all that's needed to destroy the native spawn. If your making your own spawn then use their techniques because sanitation is key, therwise keeping it simple is my plan. You'll find some say one whole hour of boiling some a half some none at all . Some claim you shouldn't heat it at all. If you have good spawn it should be in a condition that would be able to take over before native spawn that's dormant even has a chance. They also say that you preserve more of the nutrient base by not heating it. Truth is I like the Buddhist path to mushroom growing ... The middle path . Now is the perfect time to drill the holes in that bucket. Using a drillbit a couple centimeters across ( 1-3 C ) begin drilling in a diamond pattern by alternating the holes . After you have drilled the holes in your bucket take a little household spirits (vodka gin etc. )and using a small rag or paper towel wipe out the inside of the bucket or use the hot water you are boiling .Set this bucket aside and you just performed another sanitation process that will help ensure success. You could skip the alcohol or hot water and instead use bleach water or maybe antibacterial soap. Make sure you rinse all of these multiple times as you do not want any bleach or antibacterial soap residue left in the bucket. You then take your straw and add it to your tub , tank or basin . Using your thermometer you then add boiling water until you reach the ideal temperature of 71°C. Here's where the tricky part comes in. Some straw is under the hot water while some is floating on top above the water. I allow it to sit like this for 10 minutes and then flip the whole mass like an egg . And soak another 10. Unless you have hands like mine use tools like a pitchfork or gloves to manipulate the straw lest you burn yourself. While you are maintaining your temp , now is a great time to take out your spawn medium which is mixed with sawdust and place that in a sanitized bowl. After your chopped straw is sanitized you may then drain the tub or bucket. Removing the straw from the tub or bucket and place in a large sanitized container to cool, you are now ready to begin the seeding of your bucket. After the temperature of the straw has fallen to body temperature it's now time to pack your hole drilled bucket. Put a nice thick layer on the bottom and sprinkle some spawn over it . Place another layer of straw on top and push down generously and repeat the spawn sprinkling . Alternate layers inside this bucket by placing packed straw and then a small handful of your inoculated sawdust spawn mix on top of that, followed by yet another layer of straw. Alternate these layers until you get to the top of the bucket.I usually make 3-5 layers and you can use another 5 gallon bucket on top to push the straw down in your mushroom bucket and that works very effectively to pack your bucket. Make sure you sanitize the outside of hat bucket .You can also bulk mix your spawn with your substrate and some people go anywhere from 5-7 lbs per 100lbs of your sanitized substrate. Usually I go a wee bit heavier than that in my mix. When your bucket is packed to the top ,put the lid on the bucket and place the entire bucket into a plastic garbage bag and tied shut. Please keep in mind that certain commercial garbage bags have added fungicides to them like hefty and many other namebrand products. This is where using the cheapest product is best because the cheaper plastic bag will not have such antifungal treatments. I usually leave mine in a position like this for a month and then I will inspect everyday . When I see a bloom I then remove the bucket from the plastic bag and stack them. You may find, depending on the humidity in your house, you may need to "water "your bucket after removing it from the bag. This can be easily accomplished with the water spray bottle and clean non-chlorinated water. Spraying a little bit into each hole every now and then( like once or twice a week ) will help ensure that the bucket never dries out. It may take a few months for your first "flush " ( bloom of mushrooms ) to appear it may happen as soon as a few weeks . And a bucket is usually good for 2 to 4 flushes before it has to be replaced.After that , dispose of the spent material and reseed . This method can be used to grow a few mushrooms in the kitchen or stackable towers in your basement for commericial purposes. There are hundreds of you tube videos and papers teaching you how to grow mushrooms. Don't like this method ? go find one you do . That's the beauty of growing food , so many beautiful ways and only control freaks claim they know the only right way ... Take it easy and have fun first !
Mushrooms people are prepared to pay a few hundred dollars per dried pound? Must be the morel, distinctly different to other mushrooms with its conical cap and honeycomb appearance. In this guide, we will explore these wild mushrooms and discover what makes them desired the world over, why people are prepared to pay so much for them, how to forage for them, plus their health benefits.Warning: as morels contain small amounts of hydrazine toxins they should always be cooked before eating and it’s always sensible to begin eating in small amounts in case of an allergic reaction.Not Much Time? Skip To What You’d Like To Learn……..Five Morel Mushroom FactsCommonly Found Types Of Morel Mushrooms5 Health Benefits Of Morel MushroomsWhat To Look For When Buying Morel Mushrooms?How To Grow Morel MushroomsEnvironment Morel Mushrooms Grow InForaging For Morel MushroomsDifferences Between True and False MorelsWhen Is Morel Mushroom Growing Season?How To Pick Morel MushroomsWhy Are Morel Mushrooms So Expensive?How To Tell If Morel Mushrooms Have Gone Bad?Cleaning Morel MushroomsHow To Store Morel MushroomsMorel Mushroom Recipes Five Morel Mushroom FactsRich, earthy and nutty flavor with an almost meaty textureMorels are the most desired wild mushrooms in the worldTop 5 most expensive mushroomsUsually foraged rather than farmedUsed in Chinese medicine to treat indigestion, excessive phlegm and shortness of breathCommonly Found Types Of Morel Mushrooms Yellow Morel or Morchella EsculentaThis is one of the easiest morels to recognize with its grey sponge like body with lighter edges and expands into a sizeable yellowish sponge. The caps measure 2-7 cm wide by 2-10 cm tall with a hollow stem typically 2-9 cm long by 2-5 cm thick.Black Morel or Morchella ElataThis is a more uncommon morel to find with its cap being dark brown to dark grey, sometimes even appearing black. The caps measure 3-8 cm wide by 5-8 cm tall with a hollow stem typically 4-10 cm long by 1-3 cm thick.False MorelThe term ‘false morel’ describes a few species of mushrooms that contain a toxin known as monomethylhydrazine. This is the same chemical which is found in certain rocket fuels. It can cause dizziness, vomiting and in some cases even death (link). 5 Health Benefits Of Morel Mushrooms1. Vitamin D - Our primary source of vitamin D comes from sunlight, the exposure to sunlight causes our skin to produce it naturally. We can source vitamin D from several foods such as fish and eggs however it is not found in many plant-based foods. Mushrooms contain a high level, morel mushrooms in particular. Having enough vitamin D in your body is vital for everyday functions, such as regulating calcium to ensure healthy growth and development. Studies have also shown it can help ward off depression and control mood and emotions as well as promote weight loss.2. High Mineral Content - Morel mushrooms have a high level of zinc, copper, and iron. 100g of morel mushrooms contain 67% of your recommended daily value of iron (based on the average person). Iron is a vital mineral for the body to function normally. Iron aids in transporting oxygen around the body, resulting in increased energy levels and improved cognitive function.3. Vitamin B - Ensuring we have the right amount of vitamin B is vital to maintaining good health and wellbeing. One of the primary functions of vitamin B is to convert food to energy. This, in turn, controls metabolism, brain activity, and energy levels. Morel mushrooms contain several B vitamins. 4. Treat Drug Side Effects - A number of medicines which are antibacterial, as well as antiviral, tend to have side effects on the body. They tend to deplete the antioxidant content of the body and under heavy dosage can lead to liver failure. However, extracts derived from these mushrooms are known to rebuild the defense system of the body and hence act against the issues caused in the body by utilization of certain medicines (link).5. Rich in Antioxidants - It is essential to eat a varied diet, by doing so you will eat a whole variety of foods rich in antioxidants. Morel mushrooms are known to be rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants stop free radicals and in turn protect our cells. Healthy cells are central to a healthy body (link).What To Look For When Buying Morel Mushrooms? Smell - Morels should not have an offensive odor. When best they should have a pleasant earthy fragrance.Sight - Fresh morels should be slightly moist and remain the color when picked.Touch - They should be damp and springy but firm to touch. How To Grow Morel MushroomsGrowing morel mushrooms indoors was thought of as impossible for many years. However in 1982, Ronald D. Ower reported the first success of growing morel mushrooms indoors. Ronald D. Ower, Gary Mills, and James Malachowski have patented two cultivation processes. Read more about it here (link).Outdoor Growing and Outdoor Growing Kits - Growing morel mushrooms is indeed possible but can take many years to see your first yield as these are difficult mushrooms to grow.Buying a spawn kit is one of the easiest and most commonly used ways to grow morel mushrooms at home. The kits will include mushroom spawn (mycelium - the vegetative part of the fungus) and instructions. I advise following the instructions within the kit. Many of the kits will advise to plant in an environment as described below and mix into the first layer.Once you have distributed your mushroom mix, it can take years for your mushrooms to grow. Keep the area hydrated and be patient!Spore and Slurry Method - Many grow morel mushrooms using the spore slurry method. It is a popular and relatively easy technique.1. Start with some clean water in a large container.2. Add a little salt and some molasses, (the salt is to inhibit bacterial growth; the molasses is to provide sugars for germinating spores link).3. Add mature wild morel mushrooms and allow to sit for 2 days. 4. Strain and remove the mushrooms, and you will be left with your spores. 5. This spore slurry can be distributed in the ideal environment as described below and mixed within the first layer.For a more detailed and comprehensive explanation you can head over to the mushroom appreciation society, link here.Want to know our Top 10 Mushrooms Growing Kits? We have a full and comprehensive guide to the best growing kits and considerations before buying one too! Check out our Top 10 Mushroom Growing Kits Here. Environment Morel Mushrooms Grow In 1. Seasons - Morel mushrooms prefer seasons. They do not flourish in a tropical climate. It is recommended to plant your morel mushrooms between summer and fall. 2. Shaded Woodlands - Morel mushrooms prefer to grow in a shaded area and surrounded by trees close. If possible, make the bed close by.3. Soil - Prepare the soil, it must be able to drain well. Morels are also known to flourish in a post-fire environment, so it is recommended to add some wood ash to the bed.Foraging For Morel MushroomsWhen foraging we would always recommend using mushroom knife for ease of use, and a clean cut. Interested in learning more about mushroom knives? Click Here For The Complete Guide To Mushroom KnivesWhere To Find Morel Mushrooms?Country -Morel mushrooms are commonly found regions across the United States. They also grow across the world, particularly Europe.Which Climate Do Morel Mushrooms Grow In?Climate - They do not grow in the heat or any tropical environment, morel mushrooms need seasons to grow and flourish during the spring, popping up anytime between March and June. Early in the spring they can be found on south facing ranges and towards the end of the spring on north facing woodlands.What Environment Do Morel Mushrooms Grow In?Environment - Morel mushrooms tend to grow towards to outer edge of forests, sheltered under trees, specifically ash, elm, and oak. They need a shaded area and so also thrive in other woodland areas such as hedgerows and copses. How Do Morel Mushrooms Grow?Grow in Groups - Morel mushrooms grow in groups or clusters as well as alone, even if one is found it is always worth looking close by for more. Differences Between True and False Morels This infographic comes from Morels Of Indiana Facebook page and the link can be found here.False Morels:Cap:Irregular Squashed ShapeBulging OutwardsMore wavy and lobedHangs freely off the stemInterior: If you slice it in half, a false morel will not be hollow, but filled with cotton-like white fibres inside.True Morels: Cap: More uniformly shapedPitted inwardsCovered in pits and ridgesAttached directly to the stemInterior:If you slice a true morel in half it will be hollow from the top to the bottom (link)When Is Morel Mushroom Growing Season?The morel growing season is early in the spring. Generally, March to June depending on where geographically you are. How To Pick Morel MushroomsAppearance - Morels are around two and four inches long. They range in color from whiteish cream to black. The color of the morel also determines its flavor, darker morels are smokier, nuttier, and earthier.Use A Sharp Knife - When cutting the mushroom cut the stem close to the cap, do this carefully with a sharp knife. Pulling or using a blunt knife may damage the mushroom ruining the quality when eating.Keep Clean And Dry After Cutting - Morels which are bruised or soft are beginning to rot. Avoid picking them if you won't be using them immediately.WARNING: never pick or eat mushrooms unless under the strict guidance of an expert. Below is a brief overview for those interested in certain characteristics of oyster mushrooms and not to be taken as a guide.Why Are Morel Mushrooms So Expensive?Time Frame - Morel mushrooms have a very short growing period. They tend to only flourish around springtime, between March and June. Difficult to Control - They are also difficult to cultivate, as we explored earlier they can be some of the most challenging mushrooms to grow in a controlled environment such as a laboratory, therefore making them rarer and consequently expensive. Hollow - Morel mushrooms are also hollow, this means that in order to make up a kg, you would require far more morels mushrooms compared to more commonly found (and easier growing!) mushrooms. Shelf Life - Due to the hollowness, morel mushrooms tend to deteriorate quickly, only staying fresh for up to a week and therefore foraging and selling complications can also occur. How To Tell If Morel Mushrooms Have Gone Bad?Sight - Fresh morels should be slightly moist and sustain the color when first picked. If they have darkened in color they are beginning to rot.Touch - They should be springy but firm to touch. Like other mushrooms, if they are soggy and slimy, they are probably past their best.Smell - Morels should not have an offensive odor. When best they should have an earthy fragrance.Cleaning Morel MushroomsIt is best not to clean or rinse morels until just before use so as not to spoil them. Dry Method:Begin by shaking off as much dirt as possible. To do this put the morels into a paper bag or a colander and shake. Don't shake too hard otherwise you'll damage the morels. If you shake too hard and the morel could break apart. Gently remove from the bag or colander. With a paper towel or a mushroom brush, brush over the morels checking the stem for dirt and insects left after shaking, cut in half if necessary for easier cleaning.Wet Method: Soak the morels. Start by filling a bowl, double the size of the morel quantity, with cool water. Add a good amount of salt in and add the mushrooms. The mushrooms should float inside the bowl. Delicately move the mushrooms around to loosen dirt. Carefully drain and rinse the mushrooms to remove the salt from the morels. Lay the mushrooms on a kitchen towel to dry. How To Store Morel Mushrooms Morel mushroom store best loose in the fridge, I recommend an open container to ensure the morel mushrooms are well ventilated. Do not store them in a sealed plastic or paper bag as it will make them rot quicker. It is best to only store morel mushrooms for 4-7 days once picked. There are three main ways to preserve morels; Freezing Morel Mushrooms1. Clean the morels if necessary2. Cut them in half lengthwise3. Dry by rolling on paper towel4. Dust with flour and spread them on a tray5. Freeze solid for about two hours6. Once frozen put into a plastic bag or tub7. Store in freezer up to six months8. Morels can be used from frozen Drying Morel MushroomsDrying is a good way to preserve morels. There are multiple methods including using a machine, outside drying or oven drying. For a full summary of drying mushrooms we have a link here. Hydrating morels is very easy. Simply add water to a bowl and leave to plump out. Pickling Morel MushroomsInspired by Forager Chef (link).Ingredients:1.5 lbs fresh, small morels3 cups water1 tbsp salt5 black peppercorns1 cup of champagne vinegarA few small sprigs of fresh thyme1 clove of garlic, crushed.Canning jars - 2 pint jars.Method:1. Wash and clean the morels to remove grit, making sure to leave the morels whole.2. Heat the oil and cook garlic until lightly browned and caramelized but not burnt.3. Add the water, salt, thyme, vinegar, and pepper then bring to a simmer. Add the fresh morels and cook, about 3-4 minutes, until they wilt and decrease in size. 4. Discard garlic.6. Place the morels and the pickling liquid into canning jars and process in a water bath canner for 15-20 mins. Morel Mushroom RecipesMorels are best cooked simply in butter to bring out the flavor.Sautéed Morel MushroomsIngredients:2 tbsp olive oil2 tbsp butterFresh morels1 clove garlic, crushedDirections:1. Heat oil in a skillet over high heat, add the garlic.2. Lower heat and add morels stirring gently for about 3-4 minutes.3. Once morels have started to brown add butter.4. Once butter has melted and morels browned serve immediately.5. Season to taste.Morel Steak SauceIngredients:1/2 cup heavy cream1 shallot, finely minced1/2 tsp thyme2 tbsp olive oil2 tbsp butter20 dried morel mushroomsSalt and pepper to tasteDirections:1. Slice mushrooms into quarters.2. Heat butter and oil over medium heat in a small pan.3. Add shallots and morels, season lightly, sauté until morels soften about 5-6 minutes.4. Add cream and thyme. Cook until sauce has reduced slightly, approximately 5 minutes.5. Pour over steak or chicken. Pasta with Morel Mushroom SauceInspired by cdkitchen.Ingredients:1/2 lb capellini or thin linguine, cooked and drained3 tbsp butter6 oz dry morels rehydrated, chopped1/2 cup cream1 tbsp chopped wild garlic2 tbsp fresh parsleyGrated parmesanSalt and fresh black pepper.Directions:1. Heat a large pan on medium and melt the butter.2. Add the mushrooms and sauté.3. As the mushrooms cook and begin to release their juices stir in the garlic the chopped parsley and add salt and pepper.4. Once the mushrooms begin to brown stir in the cream.5. Heat through until the mixture thickens a little.6. Stir in a tbsp of grated cheese and black pepper.7. Add the pasta to the bowl and sauce on top and mix.8. Garnish with parsley.9. Serve immediately with fresh black pepper and grated cheese.Other Articles You'll Love...Top 10 Mushroom Growing KitsBest Mushroom KnivesHoney Mushroom GuideShiitake Mushroom GuideLion's Mane Mushroom GuideMorel Mushroom GuideOyster Mushroom Guide
The best method for storing mushrooms not only kept them free of slime and mold, it actually made the mushrooms taste better too.
