Where can I find Mycopia mushrooms?

Many local markets carry Mycopia Mushrooms; if you aren’t sure about yours we recommend giving them a call and asking!

Are your mushrooms seasonal?

We harvest mushrooms 365 days a year. The trick is our environmentally controlled growing rooms. You can rely on fresh-picked harvest year-round.

What cooking techniques are best for mushrooms?

You can use almost any cooking method. Mushrooms respond to different cooking techniques much the same way that meats do. Poaching keeps flavors mild, high heat deepens them. Specialty mushrooms, unlike white buttons and portabella, do not give up liquid as they cook – so they can easily be browned in a sauté pan. Many chefs like roasting in a 400° - 450° oven to prepare large batches of mushrooms quickly. We recommend tossing with a little vegetable oil prior to roasting.

Once cooked the mushrooms can be added to soups or sauces, used as a garnish for an entree, or allowed to cool so you can add to a salad! Don’t be afraid to experiment. If your question is, “What do I do with them?” the answer might be “anything and everything works!”

Can specialty specialty mushrooms be eaten raw?

When we wear our scientist hats, we think that raw mushrooms might be very hard to digest because part of the cell wall is made in part of chitin – the stuff in crab shells, but wearing our chef caps we know that people can and do eat raw mushrooms. Our suggestion would be, don’t overdo it. You will also find that our mushrooms keep their texture after cooking better than most wilds or white buttons. Alba and Brown Clamshell are often used in salads because they keep their crunch even after cooking.

Are your mushrooms safe? Might I accidentally get a poisonous one?

Gourmet Mushrooms' specialty mushrooms are organically cultivated from carefully maintained cultures. It is impossible for us to accidentally grow a poisonous variety.

How should I store mushrooms?

Store in the coldest part of your refrigerator. After opening the basket or container, store any unused mushrooms in a brown paper bag.

There is condensation inside my bags. Is this bad?

Condensation alone is not a problem. It is the mushroom’s way of coping with changes in its environment.

How do I clean my mushrooms?

Our cultivated mushrooms are organically grown on a substrate of sterilized sawdust. Do not rinse with water as this is not necessary and will change the texture of the mushrooms. Simply trim the very bottom (where a little sawdust may still cling) and they are ready for use.We ship them in clusters because it keeps them fresher.

There is white fuzz on my mushrooms. Is this mold?

This is probably not mold. Some varieties, usually Alba or Brown Clamshell will begin growing mycelium, especially if they have been allowed to get warm. These fine, white threads are actually the mushroom beginning to grow again as it might in nature. The mycelium tastes like the mushroom and is not dangerous. Mold on mushrooms is more likely to be pink, yellow, blue-green or black. Please call us with any questions regarding mushroom quality.

How long will the mushrooms last?

Depending on storage conditions the mushrooms will last between a week and ten days. The longest expected life will be for the Trumpet Royale; the shortest is for the Velvet Pioppini.

Do wood-grown specialty mushrooms require cleaning?

Our cultivated mushrooms are organically grown on a substrate of sterilized sawdust. They do not need to be cleaned before use. We ship them in clusters because it keeps them fresher. Trim the very bottom where a little sawdust may still cling and they are ready for use.

The Clamshell mushrooms taste bitter. Is this normal?

Some people are particularly sensitive to an astringent flavor in both the Alba and Brown Clamshell mushrooms, others find this flavor sharp, but interesting. If you prefer a milder flavor, blanch the mushrooms for two minutes in lightly salted boiling water. The mushrooms can then be used immediately, or cooled and refrigerated for up to three days.

How can you ship mushrooms without refrigeration?

Mushrooms are designed by nature to cope with temperature variation in their environment. One or two shipping cycles of under 18 hours does not detract from their quality.

Do you accept returns?

We don't accept returns, due to the perishable nature of mushrooms.