The Best Way To Cut Straw Mushrooms

Straw mushrooms, the third most consumed mushrooms globally, are an Asian variety. They are usually sold fresh and closed, meaning the cap has not emerged yet, so they look like round or oblong balls. When the cap has emerged, they are termed opened. The closed variety is considered ideal for stir-fries and soups, while the opened variety does not have much market value. However, both have a short shelf life. This article will provide a guide on how to cut straw mushrooms.

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Cutting straw mushrooms into pieces

Straw mushrooms are the third most consumed mushrooms in the world, and they are normally sold fresh and "closed", meaning the cap has not emerged yet, so they look like just round or oblong balls. When the cap has emerged, they are termed "opened".

When preparing straw mushrooms, you should take the ball end and cut through the stem top to bottom, and the cap through the stem, giving you four pieces. If you have a stem section from a mushroom with a long stem, there is no need to cut the stem, and you will have five pieces. All the pieces, even the stem, are flavorful and tender.

It is best to cook straw mushrooms on the day you get them, as they have a short shelf life.

Preparing straw mushrooms for cooking

To prepare straw mushrooms, you will first need to separate the stems and caps. Cut through the stem from top to bottom, and the cap through the stem, giving you four pieces. If you have a mushroom with a long stem, you can leave the stem uncut, resulting in five pieces. All the pieces, including the stems, are flavorful and tender.

Straw mushrooms are typically sold fresh and "closed", meaning the cap has not emerged yet, so they look like just round or oblong balls. When the cap has emerged, they are termed "opened". Opened straw mushrooms do not have much market value, but the closed ones are highly prized for stir-fries and soups.

When cooking with opened straw mushrooms, be aware that they will give off lots of water. It is also important to note that the mushrooms should be harvested when the caps are fully expanded but before the veil breaks (the thin membrane connecting the cap to the stem). This ensures optimal flavor and texture.

Tools to cut straw mushrooms

Straw mushrooms are the third most consumed mushrooms in the world. They are grown on straw, which is inexpensive and easily available. Cereal straws such as wheat or rye are best for growing mushrooms.

If you're looking to cut straw mushrooms, here are some tools you can use:

• Garden Shears: For smaller amounts of straw, you can use a pair of garden shears to cut the straw.
• Lawn Mower: For larger amounts of straw, you can lay the straw out in your garden and run it over with a lawnmower to chop it into small pieces.
• Wood Chipper: You can use a wood chipper to cut the straw into smaller pieces, usually between 1 to 3 inches in length.
• Electric Hedge Trimmers: You can use electric hedge trimmers to slice the straw into small pieces.
• Circular Saw: If you want to cut a lot of straw at once, you can leave it tied in a bale and use a circular saw to cut off as much as you need.
• Weed Whacker or Strimmer: You can put your straw into a trash can and shred it with a weed whacker or strimmer.

It's important to note that the optimal size for cutting straw mushrooms is between 3-5 cm (1-2 inches) in length. This provides the best surface area for fungal colonization and maintains good air circulation within the substrate.

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Pasteurising straw mushrooms

Before you pasteurise straw mushrooms, it is recommended to cut them into 1- to 3-inch pieces. This can be done with garden shears for smaller amounts of straw or a lawnmower, blender, electric hedge trimmer, or any other machine for larger amounts.

Pasteurisation is the process of reducing the number of harmful competitor organisms in a mushroom substrate before inoculating it with mushroom spawn. It is necessary if you want to start growing certain types of mushrooms on your own. The process is simple and easy, and it gives the mushroom mycelium a head start, allowing it to spread throughout the substrate before other contaminants, such as mould or bacteria, take over.

There are two main types of pasteurisation: hot and cold. Hot water pasteurisation is more effective, but cold pasteurisation works well for mushroom species that thrive on less nutritious substrates. It is also often safer, easier, and more energy-efficient than heat pasteurisation.

• Hot Water Bath: Soak the straw in 160-degree Fahrenheit water for an hour. This can be done by filling a large pot halfway with water, bringing it to a boil, and then reducing the heat by about one-third. Keep adjusting the heat until the water temperature stays within a stable 160–170-degree range.
• Cold Water Bath: Submerge the straw in non-chlorinated water for around a week. During this time, anaerobic microorganisms, which are bacteria that survive without oxygen, will multiply and start to break down the substrate.
• Lime Bath: Soak the straw for 12–24 hours in a bath of cold water that has been treated with hydrated lime. The lime will increase the pH of the water, killing off mould spores, bacteria, and other contaminants.
• Wood Ash Bath: Add ash at a rate of 3% of water weight or 30 grams per litre of water. This method is more natural and environmentally friendly than lime, but it can be difficult to source untreated hardwood ash.

Growing straw mushrooms at home

Straw is a versatile substrate that can be used to grow mushrooms at home. It is inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to break down and pasteurize. Wheat straw, oat straw, and rice straw are all suitable for mushroom growth.

Before growing mushrooms, the straw must be cut into small pieces, typically 1 to 3 inches long. This can be done using various tools such as garden shears, electric hedge trimmers, a lawnmower, a wood chipper, or a shredder. The chopped straw should then be pasteurized by soaking it in 160-degree Fahrenheit water for an hour. This step helps reduce bacteria and prevents contamination.

For growing mushrooms, cereal straws such as wheat or rye are recommended. Oyster mushrooms are an excellent choice for beginners, as they grow well on straw. All oyster mushroom strains, including blue, golden, pink, pearl, phoenix, and king oyster varieties, can be grown on straw. King oyster mushrooms, however, require a slightly different technique. They are typically grown in poly bags with straw and fruit at the top of the bag. A casing layer is also added to provide extra humidity.

To grow paddy straw mushrooms specifically, follow these steps:

• Prepare cotton and wheat straw by mixing each with water and soaking for three days.
• Supplement the soaked media with wheat bran.
• Solar pasteurize the media separately by wrapping it in plastic for three days or steaming it for two hours at 140-160 degrees Fahrenheit.
• After two days, inspect the area for spawn growth, and increase airflow while maintaining moisture.
• Create a humidity tent by lifting the plastic. Paddy straw "eggs" will form in singles or clusters within 4-7 days and mature quickly.
• Harvest the mushrooms while they are still in the egg stage for better storage. They can be stored in a paper bag in the fridge or dried and kept in an airtight container.

Frequently asked questions