Mushroom Grow Kit - Chestnut - Deluxe

Chestnut Mushroom Home Growing Kit:

The Chestnut mushroom (Pholiota adiposa), also known as Cinnamon Cap or Nameko, is a delightful variety cherished for its nutty flavor and slightly chewy texture. Our home growing kit allows you to cultivate these flavorful mushrooms in your own home with ease!

Benefits:

1. Fresh, homegrown gourmet mushrooms
2. Engaging and educational for all ages
3. Environmentally friendly cultivation method
4. Cost-effective way to enjoy specialty mushrooms
5. Possibility of multiple flushes from one kit

Growing Conditions:

• Temperature: 13-18°C
• Humidity: 85-95%
• Light: Low to moderate indirect light
• Air circulation: Gentle, avoiding direct drafts

Growing Process:

1. Store the unopened kit in a cool place until ready to use
2. Open the kit and mist the substrate daily
3. Small mushroom pins should appear within 10-14 days
4. Harvest when the caps are fully developed, usually 5-7 days after pinning

Getting Started:

1. Take the stopper out the centre hole on top of the kit to allow oxygen to flow into the kit
2. Make a cut/slit on the plastic on the top of the kit or on the side where you see a good concentration of white mycelium. Do not cut through the mycelium and gently lift the plastic around the slit you have cut. The slit can be anything from 1cm to 4cm
3. Keep the kit in an area with high humidity on in a grow tent or dome for best results
4. Spray with a very fine mist, do not spray directly on the mushroom heads
5. Keep Out of direct sunlight

Taste and Culinary Uses: Chestnut mushrooms have a rich, nutty flavor with a slightly sweet undertone. Their firm texture holds up well in cooking, making them versatile in various dishes.

These mushrooms are popular in:

• Japanese cuisine, especially in soups and hot pots
• Stir-fries and sautés
• Risottos and pasta dishes
• Grilled as a side dish or meat alternative

Nutritional Benefits:

• Low in calories
• Good source of protein
• High in fiber
• Rich in B vitamins, particularly niacin and riboflavin
• Contains minerals like copper, potassium, and selenium
• Offers beta-glucans, which may support immune function

Storage: After harvesting, Chestnut mushrooms can be stored in a paper bag in the refrigerator for up to a week. They can also be dried or pickled for longer-term storage.

Special Notes:

• Chestnut mushrooms have a naturally slimy cap, which is perfectly normal and safe. This sliminess disappears when cooked.
• The mushrooms grow in clusters, which can be harvested together or individually as they mature.

With proper care, your Chestnut mushroom kit can provide you with multiple harvests of these delicious, nutty mushrooms. Enjoy the cultivation process and the unique flavours these mushrooms bring to your culinary creations!

Frequently Asked Questions

DO I NEED TO COOK MY MUSHROOMS?

If your mushrooms are to be eaten, then yes. They must be cooked thoroughly

THERE ARE ALREADY MUSHROOMS GROWING WHEN I OPENED MY KIT, WHAT DO I DO NOW?

This does happen and you just start spraying the mushrooms that are growing. If the mushrooms are dry, remove them completely and continue to follow the normal growing instructions

HOW DO I HARVEST MY MUSHROOMS?

You can usually twist the mushrooms off the kit, make sure you remove the little babies also. Instructional videos are available on our social media pages or you contact us directly for more information.

MY MUSHROOM KIT HAS A VERY THICK, FLUFFY WHITE LAYER OF MYCELIUM OVER IT AND MY MUSHROOMS WONT GROW. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

The white and grey mushroom kits sometimes cannot deal with too much heat and develop and thick layer of mycelium which prevents water from reaching the substrate. Place the kit in the fridge for two weeks until healthy mushrroms begin to grow beneath the plastic. When the mushroom are large enough, about the size of a large coin, make an incision over the area and spray with water.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY FRUITING?

Mushrooms are the reproductive organs of fungus. Your kit is primarily made up of mycelium which is the rooting system of the mushroom. When a mushroom kit 'fruits' it produces its spore-bearing mushrooms; the organ of the mushroom that is most easily recognisable and consumable.

HOW MANY FLUSHES WILL MY KIT PRODUCE?

Depending on the strain of mushroom being grown, it can produce anywhere between 300g - 600g after the first flush. It largely depends on the amount of maintenance put in.

I WILL NOT BE USING MY KIT IMMEDIATELY, HOW DO I STORE IT?

Ideally the kit should be used as soon as possible. However, all mushroom kits can be refrigerated up to one week or more. Pink oyster mushrooms cannot be stored and must be used immediately.

WHEN SHOULD I HARVEST MY MUSHROOMS?

As a general rule of thumb, mushrooms should be harvested before the caps flatten out or become concave. Lions mane mushrooms should be harvested before they turn yellow and mushy. If you mushrooms turn out mouldy or dry out reach out to us via WhatsApp or email for additional assistance.

MY MUSHRROM KIT PRODUCED PINS (BABY MUSHRROMS) AND HAVE STOPPED GROWING, WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Usually mushrooms kits abort when there isn't enough humidity. Your kit still has all the food needed to produce. Pick off the aborted mushrooms and allow the kit to dry for one week, then soak in cold water for 20 minutes, drain the water and start the process again. Spray daily with water and perhaps try using humidity tent, contact us for more information.