The Black Trumpet Blog

Growing Oyster mushrooms quickly and reliably just got a lot simpler with our MushBucket. Simple and effective, MushBucket is perfect for beginners and experienced growers alike. Here is a step-by-step guide for using the MushBucket including easy-to-follow instructions on substrate preparation, inoculation, colonization, fruiting, and harvesting of your oyster mushrooms.

Mushrooms are gaining attention as a natural way to support mental health - especially anxiety. From functional varieties like Lion’s Mane and Reishi to psilocybin-assisted therapy, emerging research suggests fungi may offer both gentle daily support and transformative breakthroughs. Here’s a look at how mushrooms might help ease anxiety and where the science stands today.

Wine Cap mushrooms, also known as Stropharia rugosoannulata, are beloved for their rich, earthy flavor and environmental benefits in home gardens. This simple recipe highlights their meaty texture by roasting them in a savory garlic-tamari marinade, perfect as a hearty side or plant-based main.

We part the fungal fact from fiction in HBOs "The Last of Us" and predict which fungal invader(s) might actually lead to a global apocalypse.

Mushroom coffee combines traditional coffee with functional mushrooms—such as Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Reishi, Chaga, and Turkey Tail—to support cognitive function, stress regulation, and immune health. This approach pairs the stimulating effects of caffeine with the adaptogenic and antioxidant properties of mushrooms for a more balanced physiological response.

Not many mushrooms inspire the sort of fervor that morels do. Perhaps it's precisely because of their elusive nature that they're so prized. Let's take a closer look at the features of this shroom that make us swoon and how to grow them.

The Three Sisters—corn, beans, and squash—illustrate a time-honored Indigenous method of sustainable companion planting, where each plant supports the others' growth. Modern gardeners are now exploring how mushrooms can join this system, enhancing soil health and garden resilience through underground symbiosis.

Container gardening with mushrooms offers a space-efficient, low-maintenance way to grow edible fungi at home using items like buckets, baskets, and planters. Oyster mushrooms, Lion’s Mane, and Wine Cap are excellent choices, each thriving in specific substrates such as straw or hardwood chips. With basic techniques like pasteurization and some creative container choices, even beginners can enjoy quick, rewarding harvests in small or unconventional spaces.

Button mushrooms are a kitchen staple, but gourmet varieties like Almond Agaricus, Blue Oyster, and Wine Cap offer richer flavors, diverse textures, and added health benefits. These specialty mushrooms are often easier to grow at home using simple methods such as grow kits, straw beds, or hardwood logs. Let's discuss!

Mushroom compost is a nutrient-rich organic material derived from spent mushroom substrate, making it an excellent soil amendment for gardeners and farmers. Packed with beneficial microbes and essential nutrients, it enhances soil structure, accelerates decomposition, and helps suppress plant diseases. By incorporating mushroom compost into your garden, you can improve soil health naturally while recycling organic waste.

Join Matt McInnis and Hamilton Morris as they discuss Morris's work in psychedelic research and journalism. This interview covers topics like the challenges of drug research, media portrayals of psychedelics, and the importance of cultivation, while also touching on advancements in mushroom biosynthesis. Watch the full interview to hear Hamilton's candid insights and perspectives.

Obsidian Entertainment’s video game "Avowed" immerses players in a dark mystery involving the eerie "Dreamscourge" fungal plague. To celebrate, we partnered to release a limited-edition mushroom grow kit, bringing the game’s fungal themes to life in the real world!

Let's talk about the birds and the bees... and the mushrooms! Fungi reproduce asexually through budding or spores and sexually through plasmogamy and karyogamy for genetic diversity. Some self-fertilize, others need mates, and some use pheromones or explosive spore dispersal to thrive.

CVG substrate (coco coir, vermiculite, and gypsum) is a beginner-friendly, pre-sterilized mix ideal for growing a variety of mushrooms, including gourmet and medicinal species. It offers excellent water retention, aeration, and nutrient support, with a simple preparation process that minimizes contamination risks.

Lion's Mane mushrooms are renowned for their cognitive, gut, and immune health benefits, supported by bioactive compounds like erinacines and hericenones. With promising research and rich nutritional value, they offer a natural and versatile way to enhance overall wellness.

This Buffalo Mushroom Sliders recipe offers a delicious, vegan twist on classic sliders, using homegrown Snow Oyster mushrooms as the star ingredient. The dish features mushrooms coated in a flavorful buffalo sauce, fried to perfection, and served on plant-based rolls with fresh toppings like pickles, sweet peppers, and cucumbers!

Elevate your holiday season with festive mocktails that are as functional as they are flavorful! Featuring our mushroom tinctures, these recipes blend wellness and indulgence. The Lion’s Mane Citrus Smash brings a zesty burst of focus-enhancing energy, while the Chaga White Russian Mocktail offers creamy immune-boosting comfort.

Impress your friends and family this holiday season with five festive mushroom recipes, featuring both homegrown and wild-foraged varieties. From a smoky-sweet Lion’s Mane loaf and savory Oyster mushroom stuffing to roasted Chestnut mushrooms, crab-like stuffed Shiitakes, and an elegant Porcini tart, these dishes bring rich, earthy flavors to your holiday table.