Are you a fan of the Japanese “Enoki” mushroom? These delicious, edible mushrooms make the perfect addition to soups, salads, pizzas, pasta, and sandwiches. The Enoki mushroom is described by many Japanese as “exotic” because they are rare and hard to come by.
If you would love to have an endless supply of these mushrooms, you do have this option. How is this possible? Are homegrown Enoki mushrooms edible and as good as the store-bought alternative?
Find the answer to these questions and much more in the article below.
[Related Article: How To Grow Lobster Mushrooms]
Store-Bought Mushrooms
Every health fanatic knows store-bought produce is not as healthy or tasty as homegrown produce. There is much evidence available to back up this theory. Store-bought mushrooms, vegetables, and fruit are grown to supply the needs of humans all around the world.
Many people do not have the means or desire to raise a garden of produce, which is where store-bought comes into play.
Store-bought produce is lacking in taste and nutrients compared to homegrown. It is extremely difficult to make a comparison of these two without insulting commercial farmers around the world.
Commercial mushrooms farmers work around the premise of big yields and big profits. Keeping this in mind, commercial farmers are responsible for feeding 55 percent of the world’s population.
You, on the other hand, only need to grow enough Enoki mushrooms to meet your needs.
Growing Enoki Mushrooms Indoors
Like herbs, vegetables, and fruits, mushrooms can be grown indoors all year long. With the help of grow kits, it is possible to grow an endless supply of these mushrooms and other produce year-round.
Unless you are lucky enough to live in an area where Enoki mushrooms grow in the wild, you will need to grow a few spores if you want to avoid store-bought.
Enoki mushrooms derive from Japan, Korea, and China. Today, people all around the world can grow their very own Enoki mushrooms with the help of a grow kit.
What Is Included In An Enoki Mushroom Grow Kit?
Depending on how serious you are about growing Enoki mushrooms, you will need to invest in a grow kit. With this said, a complete grow kit is not necessary but most of the items in a mushroom grow kit are a necessity.
It will be in your best interest to invest in a grow kit because it will save you the trouble of needing to purchase each item separately.
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Mushrooms-In-A-Bag – For growers who want to keep the process as simple as possible, the mushrooms-in-a-bag is the solution. This is a very simple setup that only requires regular watering and indirect sunlight, in this case, artificial sunlight.
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Shiitake Log – The Shiitake log is a simple way to grow Enoki mushrooms indoors. The log is constructed of hardwood with several Enoki mushroom spores. You simply need to water as directed and place in an area away from direct sunlight.
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Propagator – The propagator is a device that comes with a tray and lid with holes for venting. You simply fill the bottom with the proper medium and add a few Enoki mushroom spores. Regular watering, indirect sunlight, and the propagator will deliver delicious, beautiful organic Enoki mushrooms.
A Little More About Enoki Mushrooms
You may have encounter enoki mushrooms but never realized it. They tend to grow on rotting wood and prefer dead elms. They’re commonly found in woodland areas. In the wild, enoki mushrooms will have a small brown cap.
They’ll grow in small clusters. If you’re going to forage mushrooms in the wild, you’ll need to conduct a spore print. This is very important because the enoki mushroom fungi look similar to the deadly Galina autumnalis.
Make sure you’re dealing with enoki mushrooms or you may get yourself into trouble.
Enokis are white and look like a noodle. They grow in the dark and have to stretch to reach the light. Eating these mushrooms is highly recommend because they’re high in protein, fiber, amino acids, and B vitamins.
Eating Enoki Mushrooms
When it comes to mushrooms, you’ll find that some should be avoided. Others are very nutritious. Enoki mushrooms fit into the latter category making them one of the best edible mushrooms on the market.
They’ll make an excellent addition to your diet because they’re very healthy. They contain amino acids and lots of dietary fiber. Furthermore, these mushrooms are low in cholesterol. This makes them a good choice for snacks. Or, you can add a few enoki mushrooms to your salad. So, how do you prepare them?
Well, you don’t need to. These mushrooms can be consumed raw. Alternatively, you can cook them. Remember that these mushrooms have a mild, delicate flavor and a slight crunch. If you like mushrooms, you’ll love the unique taste of enoki mushrooms.
What Do Enoki Mushrooms Need?
To grow enoki mushrooms, you need to make sure that you give them everything they need. This means you’ll need to create an environment where they’ll be able to thrive. Furthermore, you’ll want to provide them with plenty of nutrients.
To get started, you’ll need to find a place where the temperatures stay between 72 and 77 degrees. You’ll also want to humidity to be very high. Once the mycelium is evident, you will need to adjust the temperatures.
Choosing the right growing medium is very important. Aged hardwood sawdust works exceptionally well in this category. You can grow enoki mushrooms in glass containers and elsewhere. Just make sure that you choose something that is going to work well for you.
Regrowing From Scraps
One of the best things about enoki mushrooms is the fact that you’ll be able to regrow them from scraps. This ensures that you’re able to keep your mushroom garden going within any trouble. All you have to do is take advantage of the scraps and leftovers.
Remove the head of the mushroom and plant the stalk in a pot with soil. A small piece of the top should be left exposed. Once you’ve done this, you’ll want to place the pot and plant in an area that receives high temperatures and humidity.
With a little luck, you’ll be able to regrow enoki mushrooms from the scraps you have left.
