The chicken of the woods mushroom is vibrantly beautiful and fascinating to boot. Many people also consider it a delicacy! Learn more about here, including identification and cooking information.| Mushroom Appreciation
Honey mushrooms are a regular fall wild edible mushroom that often fruits in massive colonies. When you come across the honey mushroom, you may find you have more than you know what to do with! Honies have an earthy, distinctive flavor that makes them one of the best fall mushrooms you can find—if you’re quick...Read More| Mushroom Appreciation
If you ever want to start a riot in a mushroom community, ask what the best mushroom harvesting method is -- should they be pulled up or cut? Folks get riled up! It's a question a lot of people have, with good reason. The underlying issue is about the overall health of the mushroom patch, People want to know and care deeply about which method causes the least harm to the underground mycelium (the mushroom's "roots"). And people have very big feelings around the right way to pick mushrooms.| Mushroom Appreciation
Hen of the woods is lovingly called the “dancing mushroom” because when you find one, you might just be inspired to do a little jig in the woods. This mushroom is one of the absolute best wild edible mushroom species. It has a rich, umami flavor, firm, dense texture, and is extremely adaptable for countless recipes.| Mushroom Appreciation
Hedgehog mushrooms are one of the safest edible wild mushrooms because they have few lookalikes, and none are dangerous. They're also super yummy, which is a nice bonus! There are quite a few hedgehog mushroom species in North America, and all of them are edible. However, some taste better than others, and you do have to watch out for bitter ones. They won't hurt you, but they will ruin a dish in a flash!| Mushroom Appreciation
Have you ever spotted a tiny mushroom growing directly from a pine cone? The pinecone mushroom (Auriscalpium vulgare) is a tiny treasure of the forest. It resembles a miniature periscope popping up from a buried pinecone submarine. This minuscule mushroom is easy to overlook (you really have to be looking!) and is always a treat to actually find.| Mushroom Appreciation
Wine cap mushrooms (Stropharia rugoso-annulata) are a fantastic species to cultivate, especially for beginners. Often referred to as the "garden giant" due to their large size, these mushrooms have beautiful wine-colored caps and a robust| Mushroom Appreciation
Lobster mushrooms are a real treat of a wild mushroom. They're dense and meaty and taste great. Although they don't taste a lot like ocean lobsters, they do often have a seafoody smell. Some people say that the mushrooms taste slightly of seafood, but in general, they're mild and slightly sweet. Their name comes from the uber-brilliant cooked-lobster shell coloring and the strong seafood scent that develops when they're past maturity.| Mushroom Appreciation
The large white greenhouse mushroom (Leucocoprinus cretaceus) can catch you off guard when they pop up in your houseplants. Don't worry, they're not dangerous or harmful to your plants! This is a tropical mushroom that hops a ride in soil and plant matter to spread across the globe. This adaptable saprotroph grows in potted plants, planters, and greenhouses in cold places. In warmer regions, it will grow from woodchips and compost.| Mushroom Appreciation
The chip cherry mushroom (Leratiomyces ceres) is an interesting species. No one seems to know with certainty where it originated. It grows in mulch and has a worldwide distribution, but an unknown original source. It is not an extremely common species, but when it shows up, it’s hard to miss! Its cap is a bright cherry-red (hence the name!) and it fruits in big groupings.| Mushroom Appreciation
Lately, I've received a number of emails asking me about oyster mushroom identification. The most recent one came in early December from a reader named Tracey. She writes: Wondering if you could help me. I| Mushroom Appreciation
Angel wing mushrooms (Pleurocybella porrigens) are a problematic wild species that closely resemble oyster mushrooms. There are some key differences to make it simple to differentiate them, but you have to be aware of them| Mushroom Appreciation
This site is devoted to all who are curious about mushrooms and the fungi kingdom. Foraging, edible mushroom species, weird and wacky fungi, and the complexities of species and genus designation, you'll find it all| Mushroom Appreciation
Lion's mane mushrooms are an odd-looking species with a taste remarkably like crab or lobster. The lion's mane is white and shaggy, like a pom-pom, and has a dense texture and mild seafood-like flavor. Lion's mane is widely available; you don't have to be a forager to gather this mushroom. Home growing kits are super popular, and many commercial mushroom growers produce lion's mane for food co-ops, farmer's markets, and even larger grocery stores.| Mushroom Appreciation
The lilac oysterling mushroom (Panus conchatus) is a beautiful, delicate purple mushroom that fruits across North America. It looks similar to the highly sought after edible oyster mushroom, Pleurotus spp. The fact that both their names have oyster in them makes things even more confusing.| Mushroom Appreciation
Helvella Crispa, also known as the White Saddle or White Elfin Saddle, is a mushroom that has captivated people for centuries. Its unique shape and delicate appearance make it stand out among other fungi, and| Mushroom Appreciation
The fungi kingdom is home to some very interesting species and behaviors. One of the strange facts about mushrooms that might shock you - the biggest living organism on Earth isn't what you'd expect. It's| Mushroom Appreciation
Substrate is the growing material (growing medium) used in cultivating mushrooms. Your mushroom substrate choice is a huge determiner for your cultivation success. Learn about all the options and how to choose the best one.| Mushroom Appreciation