Organic Hen of the Woods (Maitake) Grain Spawn














Skill level | Advanced |
Grow location | Indoors |
Spawn shelf life | 6 months (refrigerated) |
Flavor profile | Succulent, earthy |
Certifications | USDA certified organic |
Bag weight | 6 lbs |
Hen of the woods, aka Maitake (Grifola frondosa) is a succulent polypore with a delicate feathery texture and earthy rich flavor. It is one of the finest fungi on the market, despite the fact that it's not as popular as other foods in its category. Its lacy sides make it a great option for frying, roasting, sautéing, and adding a visual flair to many dishes. Indoor fruiting can be inconsistent, and growing conditions must be well maintained. For this reason, these mushrooms are best for enthusiast growers who have had some success growing other species indoors.
Hen of the woods grain spawn can be used for indoor production using sawdust-based sterilized substrate.
Do not use grain spawn for log inoculation.
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Hen of the woods mushroom grain spawn can be mixed into sterilized hardwood sawdust to create hen of the woods substrate blocks.
Note: Grain spawn must be mixed with bulk substrate before you can fruit it. If you are new to growing mushrooms, we recommend purchasing a book on mushroom cultivation.
Recommended reading:
'Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms' by Paul Stamets
'Organic Mushroom Farming and Mycoremediation' by Tradd Cotter
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Colonization Temps 70-75 degrees F Fruiting Temps 55-60 degrees F CO2 Sensitivity 2000-5000 ppm -
If you don't plan to use immediately, you can refrigerate your spawn for up to 6 months.
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Hen of woods has a semi-firm texture and earthy flavor. It can be ripped into small pieces and added to a dish or left large to be the centerpiece of a meal. We love to confit hen of the woods by slow cooking it at a low temperature in an oven submerged in extra virgin olive oil. After 4-5 hours the hen of the woods will be crispy and delicious and you'll have mushroom infused olive oil!
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Our grain spawn is USDA certified organic and made using organic cultures from our own culture bank. It contains a blend of locally sourced, organic, and non-GMO ingredients from farms in New England and North America.
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If you’re going to consume home-grown mushrooms, make sure to cook your fresh mushrooms thoroughly with heat. If it is your first time eating this species, it is best to start with a small amount to check for allergies, even if cooked.