Fungi are full of surprises. Not only are they frequently used in medical research but they’re also growing in popularity as tasty meat substitutes. These versatile ingredients are abundant in the wild and our supermarket shelves are slowly introducing a number of unusual and exotic varieties to try at home. Keen to find out more about the virtues of mushrooms, we spoke to Dawlish-based Forest Fungi…
What varieties of mushroom do you grow at Forest Fungi?
We grow nine varieties all year round: Shiitake, King Oyster, Yellow Oyster, Grey Oyster, Pink Oyster, Nameko, Lion’s Mane, Hen of the Woods, and seasonal wild mushrooms.
What conditions are the mushrooms grown in?
Our special growing rooms (shroom rooms) allow us to control the environment and create our own microclimate. We control temperature, light, CO2, and humidity; which we then tailor to the specific species in each room. We’re also looking to start growing more seasonal varieties outside, and we’ve already had some success with alfresco Grey Oyster mushrooms.
What challenges have you faced growing mushrooms?
Like humans, mushrooms take in oxygen and release CO2. So, we have to be careful to monitor the level of CO2 in our growing rooms. We have to regularly flush the rooms out and change the air. We’ve also struggled a little bit with temperature this year. It was so hot this summer that it was been difficult to cool the rooms enough. This forced us to change the varieties that we grow.
Do you ever forage for mushrooms?
We prefer to promote growing as a more sustainable method of enjoying mushrooms. A lot of wild mushroom species are in decline in this country, so we always encourage people to work with expert foragers who are aware of ethical methods.
What are the health benefits of Shiitake mushrooms?
Shiitake mushrooms are very good for the immune system. They help you to develop new white blood cells. They’re very popular with chemotherapy and radiotherapy patients. Many people buy mushroom supplements and powders to help with immunodeficiency. These almost always contain shiitake, maitake and reishi varieties.
So, can mushrooms generally be considered a health food?
Yes, definitely. They’re a good protein source and they’re high in Vitamin D. You’ll also find mushrooms that are a great source of Vitamin B2 and potassium. One of the main varieties that we grow here is Hen of the Wood, and there’s currently research being done into using it in HIV medicine. In fact, there’s even a mushroom called Lion’s Mane that’s proven to help repair brain cells.
How do you recommend eating mushrooms?
I recommend a mix of mushrooms in cooking. I would keep it simple, buy a mixed bag and cook them up in a nice hot pan with a bit of butter or ghee. They just need two minutes and they go great on toast with a little bit of garlic.
www.forestfungi.co.uk