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Organic Chestnut Mushroom Plug Spawn
100 plugs
$17.99
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Chestnut (Pholiota adiposa) is a popular cultivated mushroom in Japan. It produces velvety, small-to-medium, delightfully speckled caps resembling the color of their namesake nut. When cooked, they have a woodsy aroma, a meaty heaviness, and a rich, nutty, mildly-sweet flavor.
Chestnut mushrooms aren't too difficult to cultivate, but can pose some minor challenges with identification. They are not ideal for first time cultivators or those unfamiliar with how to properly identify different mushrooms species. However, this species can be quite rewarding to grow.
Note: Aside from being kiln dried, our wooden dowels are not treated in any other way.
Ideal project size: Plug spawn is ideal for smaller projects of 1-10 logs, though some log cultivators will use them for larger projects.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Chestnut mushrooms aren't too difficult to cultivate, but pose some minor challenges with identification. Not a great mushroom for first time cultivators or those unfamiliar with how to properly identify different mushrooms species. However, this species can be quite rewarding to grow and can be produced commercially.
Cooking: Once cultivated, the Chestnut mushroom has a full flavor that is evoked with thorough cooking. We recommend you use its rich, nutty flavor as a compliment to autumn soups.
Properties: The Chestnut mushroom has medicinal qualities that inhibit tumor and microbial growth. In one study conducted on lab mice, polysaccharides taken from Chestnut mushroom mycelium reduced the growth of cancerous tumors by about 60% (Ohtsuka et al., 1973). Acting as an antimicrobial, an extract of Chestnut mushroom was shown to inhibit the growth of bacteria including E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus (Dulger et al., 2002).
Tools you'll need
To grow on logs using plug spawn, you will need a Drill Bit, Log Sealing Wax, and Wax Daubers.
Cultivation
Click here to download our pamphlet on using plug spawn.
Inoculation
Chestnuts work well with the Stump and Log methods in maple and oak logs. After a 1-year colonization period above ground, Chestnut logs may be buried under 2 inches of top soil. Mushrooms fruit from logs and will emerge from the soil.
For our complete plug spawn pamphlet, click here.
Storing
If you don't plan to use immediately, you can refrigerate your spawn for up to 6 months.
Cooking
"5 of the Best Chestnut Mushroom Recipes"
Once cultivated, the Chestnut mushroom has a full flavor that is evoked with thorough cooking. We recommend you use its rich, nutty flavor as a compliment to autumn soups. Chestnut mushrooms work best when sautéing and simmering, and are delicious in a variety of soups, stews, and casseroles.
CAUTION: Be careful to properly identify these mushrooms when harvesting and before consuming. Chestnuts have poisonous lookalikes, so make sure you are familiar with the deadly Galerina autumnalis.
Cautions & considerations
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.
CAUTION: Be careful to properly identify these mushrooms when harvesting and before consuming. Chestnuts have poisonous lookalikes, so make sure you are familiar with the deadly Galerina autumnalis.
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