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Lepiota mushrooms are incredibly diverse and very challenging for North American foragers. There are roughly 400 species recognized worldwide, and most are whitish, with white gills and a white stem. They are hard to differentiate from dozens of other mushroom species that share these characteristics. And, it’s difficult to distinguish them from each other. They […]

Verpa mushrooms cause a lot of confusion during morel season. These mushrooms are closely related to morels and appear at the same time of year (spring). They are also called or grouped with the mushrooms known as “false morels.” This terminology isn’t exactly fair to Verpa mushrooms. Even though they aren’t true morels, they aren’t

The holidays are hectic in the kitchen. Cue stressed-out hosts, last-minute grocery runs and someone yelling, “Where’d I put the… The post Mushroom Hacks for Hectic Holidays appeared first on Mushroom Council.

The cauliflower mushroom (Sparassis sp.) is a relatively uncommon find and a top prized edible species. It’s also bizarre looking – it looks like someone dropped a pile of ruffled lasagna noodles in the forest. Or, a cluster of flat coral. Or, a large cauliflower vegetable head when you cut it in half. This species

Jelly rot or trembling Phlebia (Phlebia tremellosa) grows throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. It is a wood-decay fungus that spreads naturally across fallen trunks and branches of deciduous hardwoods. It sometimes appears on conifers, too. This fungus doesn’t look like a traditional mushroom; it doesn’t have a clearly defined cap, gills, or stem. Instead,

Following the great success of the first edition, we are proud to announce the Second Chinese Mushroom School, a prestigious 5-day professional training designed to strengthen knowledge, share innovations, and build bridges between Chinese and international mushroom growers. Throughout this intensive program, participants will gain deep insights into Phase II and III composting — understanding the

Get ready for three days of insight, innovation, and inspiration! Kick off with farm visits on November 5, followed by an intensive two-day course on November 6–7 that dives deep into the science and technology behind modern mushroom production. Inspiring Opening Session and Program Briefing Phase I: The biological foundations of pre-composting The science of

The failure of ammonia (NH₃) to be released properly in phase 2 can cause sleepless nights. During conditioning, the amount of ammonia is normally halved every day. After 2 to 4 days of conditioning, the measured concentration should be below 5 ppm. Only then can you start cooling. But what if the NH₃ concentration does

The silky rosegill mushroom (Volvariella bombycina) is an elegant species that grows from wounds in maple and elm trees. Finding this mushroom is a special treat – it is beautiful, and its transition from egg to a giant, white, umbrella-like cap is very cool to see. This tree mushroom is found throughout Eurasia, Australia, North

The vibrant orange to pink, wrinkled crust fungus (Phlebia radiata) often looks like someone splattered it on the tree. It is a bizarre mushroom, and absolutely fascinating. The bright coloring and wrinkled surface make it one of many eccentric fungi among the weird and wonderful mushrooms in the fungi kingdom. The wrinkled crust fruits on

The brown roll rim mushroom (Paxillus involutus) is a funnel-shaped mushroom with edges that are very tucked under. This is a very common mushroom in northern North America, and it has a very distinctive look. The brown roll rim was once considered edible. But there have been several fatalities from eating this species, so be

The blushing rosette mushroom (Abortiporus biennis) is a weird and wild mushroom. It’s not edible, but it is a super neat find. You may find it in its normal polypore form, or in its aborted form, which is wildly different. There has been a lot of confusion over the years with this species (and other

The veiled polypore (Cryptoporus volvatus) looks like a white blob popping out of a conifer tree. It looks like a little puffball, except it’s hard and often shiny. It’s hard to tell it’s even a fungus at all, at first glance. This species causes lots of confusion, even among experienced foragers.

The yellow earth tongue (Spathularia flavida) is small, but it really stands out because it has a yellow, spatula-shaped body. This little mushroom, just 2-5 inches in height, and looks exactly like its common name — a thin yellow tongue sticking out from the earth. Maybe this is a sign of Mother Nature’s sense of

If you’ve found this weird and wonderful wild edible mushroom, you’re in for a treat. Shrimp of the woods mushrooms are a top favorite for many foragers. It looks like an all-white version of an ocean shrimp and has a dense texture and lightly seafood-esque taste.

The hairy oyster mushroom (Panus neostrigosus or Lentinus strigosus) fruits on logs and stumps across North America and around the world. It easily catches the eye because the cap is strangely fuzzy and distinctly purplish-red when young, although the color later fades. Hairy oyster mushrooms break down dead hardwood and play a vital role in

Black peat Black peat, which was formed up to 10,000 years ago, is widely used in mushroom cultivation and is mainly harvested in the northern hemisphere. It is heavy and feels moist when handled, with a firm structure. If you knead it into a ball and throw it against a wall, it will stick. Black

There’s a lot of weird in the fungi world, and Hypomyces fungi are the source of a lot of funky happenings. Hypomyces species essentially hijack their fungal hosts, altering their appearance so dramatically that identifying the original mushroom becomes nearly impossible. They are parasites that attack and transform other mushrooms into something totally different from

Mushrooms: One Ingredient, Endless Possibilities Here’s a Mushroom Council secret: There’s no “one best way” to prepare a mushroom. Each… The post Mouthwatering Methods for Cooking Every Mushroom Variety appeared first on Mushroom Council.

Mushrooms: One Ingredient, Endless Possibilities Here’s a Mushroom Council secret: There’s no “one best way” to prepare a mushroom. Each… The post Mouthwatering Methods for Cooking Every Mushroom Variety appeared first on Mushroom Council.

Mushrooms & Melatonin: More in Common Than You Think What do mushrooms and melatonin have in common? At first glance, the connection might seem a bit tenuous, the sort of link you’d expect from a marketer searching for a new angle. Melatonin is the “sleep hormone” after all, and mushrooms? For most people, the only

Shaggy mane mushrooms are an excellent edible wild mushroom, but you need to act quickly. The moment you spot them in the wild, make a plan, or pass them by. They need to be prepared or stored within 2-4 hours (preferably less) before they start to break down and spoil. Very quickly, these mushrooms will…

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…

Join Us for Ask Lee Anything – A Live Wellness Q&A Event! Looking to deepen your understanding of functional mushrooms and holistic health? Join us for Ask Lee Anything, a live event where you can connect directly with Lee Carroll, BSc, BHSc (WHM), clinical herbalist and formulator, and Joni Kamlet, RVT, CCRA. Each live dives

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,

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

Blended Mushroom Course This blended course combines a six-part e-learning programme on composting with an intensive five-day practical training course. During this practical week, the theory is explored in greater depth and immediately put into practice thanks to inspiring company visits. This allows you to experience how the knowledge you have acquired works in everyday

Live training – Champiñones LATAM [koppen: heading 3] Organizado por Mushroom Office y Kekkilä-BVB, el entrenamiento se llevará a cabo del 25 al 29 de agosto de 2025 ¿Por qué necesitas unirte? El mundo actual de los champiñones es una industria de alta tecnología y de ritmo acelerado que requiere un flujo constante de nuevos

Blended Mushroom Course You can complete the e-learning course at your own pace and time before attending the live training. This course introduces the basic concepts and processes involved in composting and mushroom growing, followed by questions to consolidate your learning. Immediate feedback is provided once you submit your answers. During the live training, all

Grilled Mushroom Perfection: Fresh Recipes & Pro Tips for a Sizzling Summer  Fire up the grill and get ready for… The post Fresh Recipes & Pro Tips for a Sizzling Summer appeared first on Mushroom Council.

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

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

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 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,

Summer calls for beverages that not only refresh but also nourish. Enter the Mushroom-Infused Arnold Palmer—a vibrant blend of tangy lemon, natural sweetness, and the well-known adaptogenic mushrooms, Reishi and Tremella. Inspired by Kate Mahoney, FNTP, BCHN, IHS, FSS, and her original recipe, this functional twist on a classic offers a delicious way to hydrate

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

Less Prep, More Play: Make Summer Dinners a Breeze  Want to have flavorful dinners while still making time for fun… The post Simple Summer Recipes Made in 30 Minutes or Less appeared first on Mushroom Council.

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

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.

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.