John Miller
Chestnut mushrooms (Pholiota adiposa) are a fun and rewarding crop to grow at home. They have a rich, nutty flavour and a meaty texture, making them a great addition to many dishes. They typically take 10–14 days to mature after pinning begins, depending on environmental conditions like temperature and humidity. The ideal time to harvest is when the mushroom caps are fully opened but still slightly curved downward. To harvest, gently twist and pull the entire cluster of mushrooms from the substrate or log.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Pholiota adiposa |
| Common names | Cinnamon cap mushrooms, brick tops, kuritake |
| Taste | Nutty, salty |
| Texture | Meaty |
| Growth time | 12-28 days for pinning, 5-10 days later for harvest |
| Harvest time | When caps are fully opened, but before edges curl |
| Harvest method | Gently twist and pull the entire cluster |
| Storage | In the refrigerator for up to a week, or dried/frozen |
| Substrate | Hardwood logs or sawdust (preferably beech, but also oak, maple, birch) |
| Alternative substrates | Straw, cardboard |
| Spawn | Sawdust, grain, plug |
| Log size | 3-6 inches in diameter, 3-4 feet long |
| Log preparation | Rest for 2-4 weeks after cutting, use within 1-2 months |
| Sawdust preparation | Mix with 10-20% wheat bran |
| Fruiting cycle | 2-3 years for logs, 2-3 months for sawdust |
| Contamination prevention | Work in a clean environment |
| Cleaning | Gently brush off dirt, avoid washing if possible |
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What You'll Learn
- Harvest when caps are fully opened, gills exposed, but not darkened
- Gently twist and pull the entire cluster from the substrate
- Clean by brushing off dirt. Avoid washing, as they absorb water
- Store in the refrigerator for up to a week, or dry/freeze
- Choose the right substrate and create the right fruiting conditions
Harvest when caps are fully opened, gills exposed, but not darkened
Chestnut mushrooms are a fun and rewarding crop to grow at home. They have a rich, nutty flavour and a meaty texture, making them a great addition to many dishes. They are also nutritious, potentially offering health benefits similar to other medicinal mushrooms.
When it comes to harvesting chestnut mushrooms, timing is critical. The ideal time to harvest is when the mushroom caps are fully opened, but the edges should not have started to curl or flatten out. The gills underneath the caps should be visible but not overly darkened or releasing spores. Harvesting before spore release improves their storage quality and prevents them from becoming too soft.
To harvest, gently twist the mushroom at its base and pull it out of the substrate or log. It is generally best to harvest the entire cluster at once rather than picking individual mushrooms. After harvesting, mist the fruiting area to maintain humidity. If you are growing your mushrooms on logs, soak them in cold water for 24 hours between flushes to rehydrate.
With practice and patience, you can grow bountiful harvests of homegrown chestnut mushrooms. However, it is important to remember that mushroom cultivation requires careful attention to environmental conditions and patience. It may take several weeks before you see your first harvest.
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Gently twist and pull the entire cluster from the substrate
Chestnut mushrooms are a fun and rewarding crop to grow at home, providing you with a fresh and delicious supply. They have a rich, nutty flavour and a meaty texture, making them a great addition to many dishes. They are also nutritious and may offer health benefits similar to other medicinal mushrooms.
Chestnut mushrooms typically take 10–14 days to mature after pinning begins, depending on environmental conditions like temperature and humidity. The ideal time to harvest is when the mushroom caps are fully opened but still slightly curved downward. The edges of the caps should not have started to curl or flatten, as this indicates they are overripe. The gills underneath the caps should be visible but not overly darkened or releasing spores. It is best to harvest the entire cluster at once, rather than picking individual mushrooms.
To harvest, gently twist and pull the entire cluster of mushrooms from the substrate or log, being careful not to take too much substrate with you. You can then store your fresh mushrooms in a paper bag or refrigerator, where they will last for up to a week. You can also dry or freeze them to extend their shelf life.
If you are growing your mushrooms on logs, you will need to wait much longer, around a year, for your first flush of mushrooms. After harvesting, you should soak the logs in cold water for 24 hours to rehydrate them before continuing the fruiting cycle.
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Clean by brushing off dirt. Avoid washing, as they absorb water
Chestnut mushrooms are a fun and rewarding crop to grow at home. They have a rich, nutty flavour and a meaty texture, making them a great addition to many dishes. Once you've harvested your mushrooms, you'll want to make sure they're clean and ready for cooking.
The best way to clean chestnut mushrooms is to gently brush off any dirt. They should not be washed if possible, as mushrooms absorb water quickly. You can simply cut off the very bottom of the stems, which can sometimes be a bit tough, and your mushrooms are ready to cook. However, if you have collected your mushrooms in the wild or harvested them from logs, they may need a quick rinse to get rid of any insects, dirt, and debris. If you do need to wash your mushrooms, quickly rinse them under running water and pat them dry with a paper towel. Remember to wash your hands after handling chestnut mushrooms, as they can temporarily stain your hands orange.
When harvesting chestnut mushrooms, it's important to do so when the caps are fully opened but still slightly curved downward, and before the edges start to curl or flatten out. The gills underneath the caps should be exposed but not overly darkened or releasing spores. This will ensure the mushrooms are of good quality and prevent them from becoming too soft. Mushrooms often grow in dense clusters, so look for uniform maturity across the cluster and harvest the entire cluster at once rather than picking individual mushrooms. To harvest, gently twist the mushroom at its base and pull it out of the substrate or log.
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Store in the refrigerator for up to a week, or dry/freeze
Chestnut mushrooms can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. It is best to place them on a shelf in the fridge, rather than in the bottom compartment. They should be stored in a breathable bag or container. If you plan on using them immediately, they can be kept at room temperature for 1-2 days.
If you have a large harvest of chestnut mushrooms, you can also dry them. First, clean the mushrooms with a damp cloth or soft brush to remove any dirt. Then, slice the mushrooms into thin, even slices, about 1/4 inch thick. Next, place the mushroom slices in a single layer on a dehydrator tray, ensuring they do not overlap. Set your dehydrator to about 130°F (54°C) and allow the mushrooms to dry for around 4-6 hours, checking occasionally. Once completely dry, allow the mushrooms to cool before storing them in airtight containers or vacuum seal bags.
Freezing is another option for storing chestnut mushrooms. If you plan to freeze them, it is best to do so sooner rather than later as fresher mushrooms tend to freeze better. You will need to cook the mushrooms before freezing them. For the best colour post-freezing, dip the mushrooms in a solution of 1 pint of water and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice before cooking. Once the cooked mushrooms are cool, place them in a freezer-safe bag and store them in the freezer for up to 12 months.
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Choose the right substrate and create the right fruiting conditions
Chestnut mushrooms grow naturally on beech trees, so their ideal substrate is hardwood logs or sawdust made from a beech tree. You can also use other hardwoods like oak, maple, or birch, but beech is preferred. If you're growing them indoors, you can use a grow bag. Chestnut mushrooms can also be grown on straw or cardboard, but the yield will be smaller.
If you're using logs, select freshly cut logs from oak, beech, or maple, 3-6 inches in diameter and 3-4 feet long. Allow the logs to rest for 2-4 weeks after cutting, but use them within 1-2 months for the best results. For sawdust, mix hardwood sawdust with 10-20% wheat bran for added nutrients. You can also try the master's mix recipe (20% hardwood fuel pellets, 20% soybean hulls, 60% water by weight) or add a 10% nitrogen-holding supplement to your hardwood sawdust.
When growing chestnut mushrooms, it's important to be patient. It can take anywhere from 12 to 28 days before you see baby mushroom pins forming, and then another 5 to 10 days until they're ready to harvest. If you're growing mushrooms on logs, you'll have to wait much longer, around a year, for your first flush of mushrooms.
Once you see the pins forming, it typically takes 10-14 days for the mushrooms to mature, depending on environmental conditions like temperature and humidity. The ideal temperature for incubation is around 68°F (20°C). The ideal time to harvest is when the mushroom caps are fully opened but still slightly curved downward, and the gills underneath are visible but not overly darkened or releasing spores. Mushrooms often grow in dense clusters, so it's best to harvest the entire cluster at once by gently twisting and pulling them from the substrate or log.
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Frequently asked questions
Chestnut mushrooms are ready to harvest when the caps are fully opened but still slightly curved downward. The edges of the caps should not have started to curl or flatten, as this indicates they are overripe. The gills under the caps should be visible but not darkened or releasing spores.
To harvest chestnut mushrooms, gently twist and pull the entire cluster of mushrooms from the substrate or log.
It can take anywhere from 12 to 28 days for baby chestnut mushroom pins to form, and then another 5 to 10 days until you can harvest your first batch. It may take longer depending on environmental conditions like temperature and humidity.
If you've grown your mushrooms indoors, there's no need to wash them. Simply cut off the very bottom of the stems, which can be tough, and they're ready to cook. If you've harvested them from logs or collected them in the wild, give them a quick rinse to remove any insects, dirt, or debris.
Freshly harvested chestnut mushrooms can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also dry or freeze them to extend their shelf life.
