John Miller
Enoki mushrooms, also known as enokitake, are winter fruiting mushrooms with long white stalks and delicate pinhead caps. They are commonly used in Asian food, especially in Japanese, Korean, and Chinese cuisine, and are popular for the mild, sweet flavor and crunch they add to dishes. Enoki mushrooms are rich in B vitamins and antioxidants and are believed to boost the immune system and potentially fight cancer. Growing your own enoki mushrooms at home is easy and can be done using a starter kit or from scratch.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Velvet Stem, Winter Mushroom, Velvet Foot, Enokitake |
| Appearance | White, slender, noodle-like, long stalks, delicate pinhead caps |
| Taste | Mild, sweet |
| Texture | Crunchy |
| Nutrition | Protein, dietary fiber, amino acids, vitamins B1 and B2, antioxidants |
| Health Benefits | Boosting the immune system, treating liver problems, potentially reducing the size of tumors and fighting cancer |
| Uses | Can be added raw to salads, put on sandwiches, stir-fries, soups, hot-pot soups, and stews |
| Growing Conditions | Low light, controlled temperature, high carbon dioxide, high humidity, dark location for white mushrooms |
| Growing Kit | Mushroom starter kit, glass containers, grain spawn, substrate, growing medium (aged hardwood) sawdust, insulated plastic container, plastic bag |
| Cost | Basic starter kit: $20-25 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Using a starter kit
To begin the growing process, remove the grow block from its plastic container and drizzle one cup (240ml) of filtered water over the top and sides of the block. Then, put the block back inside the container, cover it, and store it in a cool, dark place. Enoki mushrooms prefer warm temperatures of 70°F–80°F during the incubation stage, and 55°F–65°F for fruiting. They also require high humidity, so keep the substrate moist.
Within a few days, small mushrooms should begin to sprout. When they are a few inches tall, they are ready to harvest. If you want longer stems and smaller caps, cut open the top of the bag, making enough room for the mushrooms to grow, and seal the top with tape or clips. If you prefer shorter stems and larger caps, let all the air out of the bag and cut a large slit down the side.
To get a second flush of mushrooms, make sure your mycelium block is moist. If you've grown the mushrooms through a slit in the bag, the plastic will have retained a lot of moisture, so simply return to misting daily. If you've grown them from the top of the block, fill the bag with water, seal it closed, and place it in the fridge for 24 hours. The next day, drain the excess water and start the process again from the step where you cut the bag open.
Shilajit Mushrooms: Are They Safe?
You may want to see also
Preparing your own substrate
Enoki mushrooms, or enokitake, are winter fruiting mushrooms with long white stalks and delicate pinhead caps. They tend to favour hardwood substrates, and you are likely to get the highest yields from supplemented sawdust or master's mix. However, they will grow on various organic substrates, including cardboard, straw, coffee grounds, and garden compost.
To prepare your own substrate, you will need to source your substrate material and any supplements you plan on using. Hardwood pellets or organic material readily available in your area are recommended. You will also need to decide which container to use to grow your enoki mushrooms. Commercial farmers usually grow enoki mushrooms in bottles, but you can use jars, bags, or other suitable containers. If you are using a substrate that needs sterilisation, you will need to use containers that can fit in a pressure cooker and withstand the temperatures required for sterilisation. Mushroom grow bags, glass jars, and plastic mushroom grow bottles all work well.
Once you have your supplies, the next step is to hydrate the substrate. You will also need to pasteurise or sterilise the substrate to remove competing organisms and give your mushroom mycelium a head start. There are several ways to pasteurise a substrate using either hot or cold techniques. If you choose a less nutritious substrate like straw or cardboard, you can get away with pasteurising it to reduce the number of competing organisms. But if you plan on growing your enoki on more nutritious substrates or adding supplements to provide additional nutrients, you will need to sterilise the substrate.
To pasteurise the substrate, heat it to 160–180 °F (71–82 °C). If you are using a grow kit, simply open the lid and pour water into it until the bottom is covered with about 1 inch of substrate. If you are using spawn, sprinkle the spawn on the bag's outer edges. When the bag turns white, usually after about 8-14 days, it's time to take action! Poke holes where you see mushrooms growing. Spray those areas twice daily until the mushrooms are the size you want. If you are growing your mushrooms from a slit in the side of the block, mist them daily with water from a clean spray bottle.
The Smoky Mushroom Aioli: A Delicious Condiment
You may want to see also
Controlling light exposure
Enoki mushrooms are typically grown in low-light conditions, which is essential for achieving their distinctive sprout-like appearance. While they can be grown in complete darkness, some sources recommend providing a small amount of light exposure to produce paler mushrooms.
When growing enoki mushrooms, it is important to maintain low light levels throughout the process. This can be achieved by placing the growing container in a dark location, such as a closet or a room with the lights off. If using a grow tent or a similar setup, ensure that it is light-tight to prevent light leaks.
To provide a controlled amount of light exposure, you can place the growing container in a dimly lit room or supplement the natural light with artificial lighting. LED grow lights or fluorescent lights can be used for this purpose, set to a timer to ensure consistent lighting conditions.
The amount of light exposure can be gradually increased as the mushrooms develop. During the early stages of growth, maintain low light conditions to encourage mycelium growth and spawn running. As the mushrooms begin to pin and develop caps, you can gradually increase the light levels.
It is important to avoid direct sunlight or intense lighting, as this can damage the delicate mushrooms and affect their colour and shape. Indirect, diffused light is best for enoki mushrooms, creating the optimal environment for their growth and development.
Mushroom Picking: A Deadly Foraging Adventure
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Ideal temperature ranges
Enoki mushrooms thrive in a warm, humid environment during incubation, with substrate temperatures ranging from 64 to 77°F (18 to 25°C). However, they require significantly cooler temperatures for fruiting.
During the incubation stage, when the mushroom bag turns white, the ideal temperature range is between 70°F and 80°F. Maintaining a steady temperature within this range is crucial for optimal mushroom growth. This can be achieved using a digital thermostat controller, which allows for precise temperature management.
For the fruiting phase, enoki mushrooms prefer cooler temperatures. The ideal temperature range for fruiting is between 50°F and 61°F (10°C to 16°C). Lower temperatures within this range, such as 50°F to 55°F, are more conducive to initiating pinning and promoting the formation of caps.
It is important to note that enoki mushrooms are cold-weather species, and they can tolerate temperatures as low as 40°F to 50°F (4°C to 10°C). They can also grow at room temperature, but slightly slower, up to about 75°F.
To create an optimal microenvironment for the early fruiting stages, consider using a Still Air Box (SAB) to achieve a higher CO2 concentration. Additionally, a hygrometer/thermometer combo can help monitor environmental conditions, allowing for adjustments to ensure ideal growth conditions.
Mushroom Popcorn: What's the Difference?
You may want to see also
Harvesting and propagation
Enoki mushrooms are winter fruiting mushrooms with long white stalks and delicate pinhead caps. They are cultivated for their mild, sweet flavour and crunchy texture, which makes them a popular addition to hot-pot soups, stir-fries, and salads. They are especially common in Japanese, Korean, and Chinese cuisine.
The easiest way to grow enoki mushrooms is to use a starter kit with a premade grow block. First, wet the grow block and cover it. Then, place it in a warm area with low light and temperatures in the low to mid-70s Fahrenheit. Maintain high humidity by placing a plastic bag loosely over the kit and misting with water when needed. In two to four weeks, the mushrooms should be ready to harvest, once the pinhead caps have fully formed.
If you want to grow enoki mushrooms from scratch, you will need grain spawn, a sterilized substrate, and a jar or bottle for growing. First, clean and sterilize the jar by boiling it in water for 10 minutes. Then, fill the jar halfway with the substrate and pour in the grain spawn until the jar is two-thirds full. Keep the jar in a warm place with low light and high humidity, and the mushrooms should begin to grow in a couple of weeks.
To achieve the characteristic stringy, white stems and tiny caps of enoki mushrooms, they must be grown in low light, cool temperatures, and high carbon dioxide. If you prefer brown caps, which are more similar to wild enoki mushrooms, simply place the jars in a brighter location. Once the mushrooms have fully grown, they can be harvested and used for cooking or propagation.
Mushroom Magic: Simple Seasoning Ideas
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The easiest way to grow enoki mushrooms is to use a starter kit with a premade grow block. Simply add water, store the block in a dark place, and wait 2-4 weeks for your first set of mushrooms to grow.
Enoki starter kits are available online and usually come in premade, ready-to-use grow blocks made of compacted substrate material like sawdust or straw. They also include spawn, which contains only the spores themselves, usually packed into a protective housing material like sawdust.
Enoki mushrooms require temperatures between 50 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
You can use a glass container or a jar. Household glass containers may be used once sterilized.
If you grow your enoki mushrooms in the dark, they will be white. If you want brown caps, keep your jars in a location with some light.
