John Miller
Mushrooms reproduce by releasing billions of spores, which can be collected to make a spore print. This is a simple process that can be done at home with few materials and is an essential skill for any budding mycologist. Spore printing is a useful technique for identifying mushrooms and can also be used for artistic purposes. The process involves placing the mushroom gill-side down on a piece of paper or foil and covering it with a container or bowl to create an airtight seal. The spores will then fall onto the surface, creating a beautiful and intricate pattern.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Identification, research, cooking, growing mushrooms, art, craft |
| Mushroom type | Mature, hard, wild |
| Equipment | Paper, foil, glass, index card, paper cup, basket, paper bag, gloves, hair spray, lacquer, bowl, cup |
| Method | Place mushroom cap on surface, cover with bowl or cup, leave for a few hours or overnight, carefully remove cap from stem |
| Precautions | Avoid ingesting or breathing spores, handle with care, wear gloves, clean work area |
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What You'll Learn
- Choose the right mushrooms: Portobellos and shiitakes work well
- Prepare the mushrooms: Cut off the stems, leaving the caps and gills
- Place gill-side down: Use paper, foil, glass or card
- Cover and wait: Use a bowl, cup or glass. Leave for a few hours or overnight
- Preserve: Use hairspray or artist spray to keep the spore print
Choose the right mushrooms: Portobellos and shiitakes work well
Portobello and shiitake mushrooms are excellent choices for mushroom printing due to their distinct characteristics and accessibility. Both varieties offer a range of culinary possibilities and are widely available, making them ideal for experimentation with mushroom printing.
Portobello mushrooms, known for their mild, earthy flavour and meaty texture, also possess well-defined gills that contribute to clear, sharp prints. Their dark gills and spores show up remarkably well on white paper, creating intricate and symmetrical patterns. Additionally, Portobellos are rich in ergothioneine, a potent antioxidant that offers protection against cell damage.
Shiitake mushrooms, on the other hand, have a more intense umami flavour and a chewy, fibrous texture. Their gills are less rigid and straight, resulting in a wavy, swirling print with a unique, ghostly appearance. Shiitake mushrooms possess white gills and spores, which stand out beautifully on black paper. They are also known for their potential anti-cancer properties due to the presence of lentinan and other beneficial compounds.
When selecting mushrooms for printing, it is important to choose fresh, open mushrooms with visible gills. You can use mushrooms found growing outside or purchase them from a market. Remember to handle the mushrooms with care, especially if you are unsure about their toxicity.
By choosing Portobello and shiitake mushrooms, you can create captivating spore prints while also exploring the distinct characteristics and benefits of these fascinating fungi.
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Prepare the mushrooms: Cut off the stems, leaving the caps and gills
Preparing mushrooms involves a few steps, and the first is to cut off the stems. The stems of some mushrooms, like portobellos, shiitakes, and chanterelles, are usually woody and dried out, so they are removed entirely before cooking. For other varieties, such as king oyster mushrooms, the stems are considered the best part and can be chopped up and included in the dish. However, for stuffed mushrooms, it is common to remove the stems and gills before cooking.
To prepare the mushrooms, start by holding the mushroom in one hand and using a small knife to cut the stem as close to the cap as possible. You can also remove the stem with your hands, as is the case with shiitake mushrooms. The goal is to keep the cap intact while removing the stem. If you are working with young mushrooms, they may have a veil covering and protecting the gills, so carefully remove the cap from the stem at the highest possible point.
Once the stems are removed, use a spoon to scoop out the gills of the mushroom caps. The gills tend to become mushy when cooked, so removing them beforehand is ideal. After removing the gills, you can slice the caps into pieces of your desired size. For portobello mushrooms, it is recommended to cut slightly thicker slices to showcase their meaty texture.
After preparing the mushroom caps, you can decide how to cut them. You can slice them into long, thin pieces, or you can cut them into smaller pieces. For quartering mushrooms, start by slicing the cap in half, then turn it 90 degrees and slice it in half again. You can also chop the mushrooms into smaller pieces or dice them. Ultimately, the type of cut depends on your preference and the dish you are preparing.
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Place gill-side down: Use paper, foil, glass or card
To make a mushroom spore print, you must first cut off the mushroom stem so that when you turn the cap over, the gills will be in close contact with the paper. Place the cap gill-side down on a piece of aluminium foil, a white piece of paper, an index card, a glass microscope slide, or a clear piece of plastic or glass. If the mushroom has white spores, use black paper or clear plastic/glass to better visualise the spores.
If you intend to examine the spores under a microscope, it is best to make the spore print on a microscope slide or a slide cover slip. You can also get creative and use card stock or coloured paper to make greeting cards, business cards, or art. If you know the colour of the spores, pick a colour that will highlight them. Many mushrooms drop white spores, but some are black, brown, or cinnamon-coloured. Ink caps (Coprinus comatus or other Coprinus species) produce black spores that can be scraped into several drops of water to make ink.
After placing the cap gill-side down, put a drop of water on top of it to encourage the release of spores. Then, cover the cap with a paper or glass cup to create an airtight seal and leave it for anywhere from two to 24 hours, depending on the humidity and freshness of the mushroom. If you are using a clear tote, you can wipe it down with alcohol to minimise bacteria or other contaminants.
When you remove the cup and lift the mushroom cap, there should be a coloured print of spores left on the paper. Sometimes, it is helpful to use both black and white paper, placing the mushroom half over each colour, to better see the print. Spore prints are fragile, so be careful not to smudge or touch them. You can preserve the spore print by spraying it lightly with an artist spray or hair spray.
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Cover and wait: Use a bowl, cup or glass. Leave for a few hours or overnight
Once you've collected your mushroom sample, it's time to create your spore print. If you don't want to separate the mushroom cap from the stem, you can make a hole in an index card and place the card on a paper cup. Then, slide the stem of the mushroom through the hole until the underside of the cap is resting on the card. Alternatively, you can carefully remove the cap from the stem at the highest possible point.
Now, it's time for the "cover and wait" step. Take a bowl, cup, or glass and place it over the mushroom cap. This step is crucial, as it ensures that the spores fall onto a concentrated area, creating a clear print. It also protects the spores from external disturbances, such as airflow, which could disrupt the printing process.
Leaving the setup undisturbed for a few hours or even overnight is ideal. During this time, the spores will fall onto the paper, foil, or glass beneath, creating a spore print pattern. The longer you leave it, the more spores will accumulate, potentially resulting in a more defined and intricate print.
After removing the bowl, cup, or glass, you will find a coloured print of spores on the surface beneath. Spore prints are fragile, so be cautious and avoid touching the print directly. You can use the iNaturalist app to record your observations and identify the mushroom species.
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Preserve: Use hairspray or artist spray to keep the spore print
To preserve a mushroom spore print, you can use hairspray or artist spray. Hairspray is a cheap and effective way to preserve your spore print. You can get it at most discount stores. Simply spray the paper with hairspray and let it dry before framing the print. However, do not spray it directly onto the paper; spray it horizontally or upwards and let the spray fall onto the page. The force from the can might blow the spores away. Hold the spray can at least 12 to 15 inches away from the print to ensure an even application.
Alternatively, you can use an artist's fixative spray. This will be invisible, odourless, and stable over time. Again, make sure the spores are completely dry first, and hold the can at least 12 to 15 inches from the print.
If you want to preserve your spore print for a long time, consider laminating it. This will provide a protective layer and ensure the print remains intact.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a freshly picked mushroom cap, a sheet of white and/or black paper or aluminium foil, a container or a glass to cover the cap, and possibly a knife to prepare the mushroom.
Cut off the stem and place the cap, with the gills facing down, onto the paper. Put a drop of water on the top of the cap to help release the spores. Cover the cap with a paper cup or glass and leave for 2-24 hours, depending on the humidity and the freshness of the mushroom.
If your mushroom has dark gills, like portobellos, use white paper. If it has white gills, like shiitake mushrooms, use black paper.
You can preserve your spore print by spraying it lightly with an artist spray or hair spray.
