How long will these last in my refrigerator?
This depends of the type of mushroom and whether it is whole or has been cut.
Generally, most mushrooms should be consumed within 6-10 days of their harvest date. As with most produce though, the fresher the better.
Larger, whole mushrooms tend to keep the longest, while sliced mushrooms will begin to spoil quicker. Proper storage will help slow the aging process.
The keep life for each our of species is listed on our Varietals page.
How do I store mushrooms at home?
Store your mushrooms in the refrigerator, in a porous container, such as a brown paper bag. Leaving them uncut and unwashed (until you're ready to eat them) will keep them fresher for longer.
Mushrooms are porous so they will lose moisture over time and may absorb the flavor or odor of other foods. Try not to store your mushrooms next to raw or exposed scent rich foods.
You can also blanch your mushrooms then freeze them to preserve them for longer periods.
How do I know if my mushrooms have gone bad?
Spoiled mushrooms can be soft, mushy, slimy, shriveled, moldy, discolored, or have bruises or dark spots. They may also look slightly darker in color than usual.
Wrinkles are not usually a sign of expiration, but they can indicate that the mushroom is starting to dry out from being refrigerated for too long.
Fresh mushrooms are dry, firm, and smooth, they look plump and have a pleasant earthy smell.
Are there risks to eating mushrooms?
These species are totally safe to eat! They are commercial grade strains that are widely used across the industry. Although, some people do have reactions to eating mushrooms, so always consult your doctor if that occurs.
There are many species of inedible and poisonous mushrooms that can have severe consequences if ingested. Foraging for wild mushrooms is very risky and only recommended for knowledgeable foragers.
Do not eat mushrooms, or any foods, that look, smell or taste spoiled. Use proper storage techniques to prevent quick spoilage.
To minimize risk, we grow our mushrooms in ultra-pasteurized substrate within a controlled and sterilized environment. Our lab and grow rooms maintain proper humidity and air quality to ensure healthy growth. We store our harvests in a temperature-controlled fridge, that is exclusively dedicated to our recent harvests.
We also take great care when handling and transporting. We handle our mushrooms with sterile gloves and we do not expose them to other foods or harmful chemicals. Our mushrooms are stored and transported in appropriate and clean packaging..
Can I eat these mushrooms raw?
Yes, but it is not recommended.
Cooking mushrooms improves their nutrional value and makes them safer to eat.
Our mushrooms are best consumed cooked. This not only improves the flavor and texture, it makes the mushroom easier for our body to digest.
Should I wash my mushrooms before cooking them?
Yes.
The USDA recommends that all produce be washed under cold running tap water to remove any dirt, debris, or bacteria.
They will keep fresh longer if you wait to wash them until you are ready to cook them.
How should I prepare these mushrooms?
Most of our mushrooms are very versatile and can be cooked in many different ways. Typical preparations include sautéing, frying, roasting and grilling. Different cooking methods work better for different species.
Read our suggested preparations and recipes for specific species on the varietals page.
Are these wild mushrooms?
No.
Although these are wild strains, they are cultivated and nurtured by our experienced grower in a controlled indoor environment.
Are these mushrooms grown outside?
No.
Our mushrooms are grown completely indoors. They begin in our private lab, then fruit in our attached grow rooms.
Are these mushrooms grown in the dark?
Sometimes. Mushrooms grow day and night.
We use light cycles to mimic the conditions found in nature.
Are your mushrooms grown on manure?
No.
We make our own sterilized grain spawn (Millet) and ultra-pasteurized and ammended substrate (Oak and Soy Hull) as nutrition for our mushrooms to grow.
Are your mushrooms organic?
No, we are not certified as organic by an institute.
However, our mushrooms are never sprayed with any pesticides or chemicals.
Are you certified to grow mushrooms?
No, because there is no certification to grow mushrooms.
Our grower, Corey, has over 25 years of practicing safe food handling procedures from his experience in the restaurant industry.
We are licensed by the Secretary of State in Colorado to sell our mushrooms to you. We also follow the USDA's Mushroom Good Agricultural Practices (MGAP) which you can find a copy of here. This is a voluntary self-audit checklist of safe food handling procedures.
How do these mushrooms compare to what is sold in grocery stores?
You never really know what you are getting at the grocery store. You don't know where or how their mushrooms are grown. You don't know when they were harvested or the conditions that brought them to that shelf.
Mushrooms sold in grocery stores are at a greater risk for contamination. They could be over a week old before you buy them, being stored, transported, and handled along the way. Bulk mushrooms at the grocery stores sit out in open air and are handled by unknowable and uncountable hands.
When you buy packaged mushrooms at the grocery store they are weighed and priced prior to being stocked. All mushrooms lose water and weight over time, so you may be paying for more than you're buying.
Our mushrooms are handled minimally, always with a gloved hand, and most times going directly into the packaging or crate you purchase it in. And because you are buying locally, you are getting a fresher mushroom than you could find in any store. We price our mushrooms at the time of sale to ensure a fair value for you. Our price per ounce is also competitive relative to local grocery options while offering a superior product.
When you buy our mushrooms you will be talking to the grower himself. Our owner and grower, Corey Feith, will happily tell you all about our production process: from sourcing spawn to the harvest day of your unique selection. He can tell you about all the precautions he takes to ensure quality, including sampling the produce ourselves before selling it. He will show you pictures on his phone of his lab, grow rooms and past harvests. We are proud of our mushrooms and want to share our experience with you.
We also use compostable and recyclable packaging that is appropriate for mushroom storage because it lets the mushrooms breathe. Most bulk mushrooms are sold in styrofoam containers wrapped in cellophane.