Fresh Mushroom and Farm Related FAQ's

Here are some answers to many of the questions we get about our fresh mushroom varieties and about the farm itself. Read on and enjoy!

What do they taste like?

Nothing like "the white ones from the store", that's for certain. Each of our exotic mushroom varieties offers a unique taste and texture profile. They range from crisp and nutty to meaty and savoury, all the way to floral, sweet and delicate.

Blue Oyster: The single most consumed mushroom on the planet, they offer a mild nutty flavor with a tender, delicate texture. They add a refined savoury taste to dishes and can be incorporated into nearly any culinary style. They have a place on everyone's plate.

Pink Oyster: Tender with a sweet, almost smoky flavor and slightly chewy texture. They make excellent replacements for pork and bacon. Don't expect the pink colour to stay in the final dish though, cooking removes the vibrant hue.

Golden Oyster: Golden Oyster mushrooms have a mild, buttery almost floral flavor with a soft, velvety texture. They offer a subtle umami and earthy undertones. Will also loose most of their characteristic colour once fully cooked.

King Oyster: King Oyster mushrooms have a meaty, savory taste and a firm, chewy texture. Their thick stems are hearty and absorb flavors well, making them versatile in cooking. Mushroom steaks!

Lion's Mane: Lion's Mane mushrooms offer a mild, sweet flavor with a texture resembling lobster, crab, pulled pork or chicken breast - depending how they are prepared. These versatile mushrooms have a tender, fibrous structure and provide a unique, culinary experience.

Chestnut: Nutty, earthy flavors with a slightly firm texture. Their taste is deeper than white mushrooms, with a subtle umami undertone. Especially well suited for soups as they do not turn rubbery when simmered for long periods of time.

Pioppino: These mushrooms have a slightly peppery, savory flavor with a tender, crunchy texture. Their dark brown caps lend a mild, earthy taste with a hint of sweetness.

Enoki: Enoki mushrooms have a mild, slightly sweet flavor with a crisp, delicate texture. Their long, slender stems offer a refreshing bite and absorb surrounding flavors well. Best suited for Asian style cuisines.

Wine Cap: Wine Cap mushrooms have a rich, earthy flavor with a meaty, dense texture. Their deep, red-brown caps provide a mild umami taste, often used in robust dishes.

What are the nutrition facts?

Here are the specific nutritional values for Oyster mushrooms. Most mushrooms follow the macro-nutrient profile fairly similarly so we have used them as an example.

Macro-nutrients:

Calories: Low in calories, typically around 33-40 calories per 100 grams.

Protein: A good source of plant-based protein, containing about 3-4 grams per 100 grams.

Carbohydrates: They provide around 6-7 grams of carbohydrates per 100 grams, most of which come from dietary fiber.

Fat: Very low in fat, containing less than 1 gram per 100 grams.

Micro-nutrients:

B Vitamins:

B1 (Thiamine): Helps with energy metabolism.
B2 (Riboflavin): Important for maintaining healthy skin, eyes, and nervous system.
B3 (Niacin): Supports digestive health and energy production.
B5 (Pantothenic acid): Aids in hormone production and helps in the metabolism of fats.
B7 (Biotin): Supports healthy hair, skin, and nails.
B9 (Folate): Important for cell division and overall health.

Vitamin D: Oyster mushrooms specifically, are one of the few non-animal sources that can provide vitamin D, particularly when exposed to sunlight or UV light (our cultivation practices include exposure to UV lights for this reason). This is essential for bone health, immune function, and mood regulation.

Minerals:

Potassium: Supports heart health, muscle function, and helps maintain fluid balance.
Iron: Important for oxygen transport and energy production.
Copper: Aids in the formation of red blood cells and maintains healthy bones, blood vessels, and immune function.
Phosphorus: Essential for healthy bones, teeth, and overall cellular function

Antioxidants: Mushrooms contain antioxidants such as ergothioneine which help reduce oxidative stress and support immune function.

Fiber: They contain a good amount of dietary fiber, which helps with digestion, supports gut health, and may help regulate blood sugar levels.

I want some, where can I buy them?

We sell our fresh mushrooms exclusively at Farmer's Markets, to restaurants, and to local CSA Farms. Look for us at your local Farmer's Market if you live in the Yellowhead County/ Edmonton Area. If you would like to purchase directly from us as a wholesale client, feel free to send us an email with the details of your request and we can go from there!

How do I cook these? Do I have to be a chef?

If you can saute an onion, you can cook with these delicious ingredients. If you have never tried any of them before we recommend simply frying in butter until crispy with a bit of salt and pepper. Then you'll have an idea of how they taste and can experiment with other dishes and preparations. For recipe ideas, check our the culinary section of our blog where we get to the "meat and potatoes" of cooking with mushrooms!

There aren't any farms near me, how can I grow my own supply of gourmet mushrooms?

Growing a steady supply of your own gourmet mushrooms can be a very rewarding activity and doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. You can leverage our culturing lab for your benefit as we can provide all the necessary materials for you to be successful at home cultivation. Sterile grain, sterilized or raw substrates, agar and liquid media as well as fully colonized grain spawn mother cultures. Or, if you are brand new or looking for an less intensive option we can sell fully colonized substrates in the form of our Ready-to-Fruit Grow Kits. At this level of cultivation all you need is a square foot of counter or shelf space and a misting spray bottle. If you are interested in learning more about the in's and out's of mushroom home cultivation you can head over to the cultivation section of our blog. There's always something new in there.