Our " Ready to Grow" kits currently sold in our retail store are now available
online! Midwest Organics ready to grow mushroom Kits are the fast and easy way to enjoy delicious mushrooms and their health benefits. Our 5 pound grow kits use a proprietary mix of substrate & grain spawn. Using only first generation mycelium, our
colonized bags produce around 2.5-3 pounds of mushrooms. Easy to use, just
cut and mist or place the bag in a clear tote along with a small amount
of water and mist daily.
Includes:
- 5 pound colonized spawn bag of your choice
- Ultra-fine pump mister
- Simple Instructions
Current Inventory:
- Lion's Mane
- King (Trumpet) Oyster
- Blue Oyster
- King Blue Oyster
- Golden/Yellow Oyster
- Pink Oyster
- Antler Reishi
- Maitake (Hen of the Woods)
- White Pearl Oyster
- Pioppino (Black Poplar)
- Chestnut Mushroom
- Turkey Tail
- Phoenix Oyster
- Red Reishi
- Shiitake
- Sporeless Oyster (Out of Stock)
- Wood Ear (Out of Stock)
- Mystery Kit - Our Choice* (Save 25%-35%)
*Mystery Kit - Our Choice: Save 25%-35% discount off regular
price! We choose from our inventory! This Mystery Kit is the same
quality as our retail. You may even get one of our small batch rare
varieties that we sell only in our retail store or even an upcoming
variety that we are still testing and may be available soon. Some recent
examples are: ABM Mushroom, The Prince, Elm Oyster, Nameko and soon the Abalone Mushroom!
We can grow almost any variety upon request. If its able to be
cultivated indoors we can grow it within 2-3 weeks! Email us with any
special requests.
If we are out of stock on a specific variety, please check with our friends at www.MycoLabs.com they carry the similar line of kits but keep separate inventory.
Our comments on Gourmet/Medicinal Kits:
Blue Oyster: The Blue oyster is one of the quickest oysters to fruit. They tolerate cold weather and will fruit in temps as low as 55 degrees! This type of oyster is typically used in high end dishes. The mushrooms are thinner and more delicate than some of the other oysters but have a more complex flavor that makes it one of the most popular oysters.
Black Pearl King Oyster: This unique variety is a hybrid between European Trumpet Oyster and Japanese Brown Oyster. The result was an oyster mushroom with the most "Umami" flavor profile. We hear all the time this is one of the best tasting oyster. These are slower to fruit but will produce large dense mushroom caps and prefer the cooler side of the temperature range.
Pink Oyster: These are one of the most fun mushrooms to grow. The bright pink mushrooms look like flowers and can brighten up any kitchen! This oyster grows in the tropics and the vibrant pink color shows even on the mycellium. Pink oysters love warmer temps and do best between 70-82 degrees. The pink oyster has a very unique "Ham" like flavor and are always a top seller at our farmers market. These mushrooms are wonderful on pizza and pair well with any pork recipe.
Yellow/Golden Oyster: The yellow oyster is another fun, beautiful flower like mushroom to grow. They grow in huge clusters and the caps are thin and delicate. They grow in pretty much any conditions and temperatures and are extremely easy to grow. They have a nutty taste who some say taste like cashews or almonds. They are great in just about any recipe. This is a great choice for any first time grower.
White Pearl Oyster: This is another easy to grow oyster that grows fast and is usually bright white to light grey when fully mature. These produce medium sized mushrooms that are not too thick and not too thin. This is a great choice if you want an oyster mushroom that can be used in any recipe. They grow in temperatures ranging from 64-76 degrees, but do best on the cooler side.
Phoenix Oyster: This oyster is very similar to the white oyster but produces shorter, wider clusters. The phoenix oyster is a true summer mushroom and loves warmer temperatures. This is a great oyster to grow along with medicinal mushrooms that require warmer fruiting temps (73-78 degrees). This mushroom is a treat to eat, has a soft, velvety and sweet flavor reminiscent of anise and is super easy to grow.
Antler Reishi: By now you probably heard of the amazing documented health benefits of this amazing medicinal mushroom. If not, you can read more about them by clicking the "additional Information tab". We are huge fans of the Antler variety. It is really fun to grow! All you need to do is place it in a spot that gets adequate indirect light and watch it grow. Each block will do something different. Sometimes it will grow a few long thin antlers that can reach over 24" long, other times it will grow small antler pods with 20-30 different branches going in all directions. All Reishi take about 2-4 months to reach maturity. A great way to enjoy this mushroom is making Reishi tea. When ready to harvest you slice it very thin and boil for 30 mins to extract all the medicinal properties. Its great to mix with your regular tea and most people enjoy the taste when prepared this way.
Lion's Mane: This unique mushroom has dramatically gained popularity in the last few years and is one of our best selling varieties. New research has proven the brain boosting benefits and the ability to help with some major diseases like Dementia, Depression, Anxiety and more. This mushroom is also delicious when cooked. Unlike many vegetables cooking mushrooms enhances or amplifies the health benefits. Most people agree that Lion's mane has a lobster or scallop like flavor and texture. Lion's mane is very easy to grow and can produce many batches of mushrooms for 4-6 weeks. Depending on how much light or oxygen they are exposed to can change the appearance. More light will give it a pink hue and more oxygen will make it grow larger, but will have a coral like appearance. Either way it grows is just personal preference and makes it another fun, interesting variety to cultivate!
Pioppino: Also know as Black Poplar. This mushroom looks like a typical brown mushroom and is easily mistaken for magic mushrooms or psilocybe cubensis. This mushroom will grow in just about any soil mix and is pretty quick to start fruiting. This is a great mushroom for any Italian dish and has a savory, nutty taste. When growing this mushroom it can grow in many odd sizes. We have seen giant balls or some very thick meaty 8-9" monsters! Definitely an entertaining mushroom to cultivate!
Shiitake: Everyone knows shiitake mushrooms. Probably the most widely cultivated mushroom at home. Our shiitake strain is very aggressive and usually produce a large amount of mushrooms over several flushes. We ship these during the curing stage which is when the outer layer of mycelium turns brown and forms a hard leather like skin. Waiting to introduce light later in its life produces higher quality mushrooms. This is how professional growers produce the large mushrooms. Shiitake is extremely easy to grow and can produce mushrooms for months!
Maitake (Hen of the Woods): This is one of the best tasting forest mushrooms. Known for its rich nutty flavor and its amazing medicinal properties it's one of the most sought after mushrooms to forage in the fall. Growing Maitake indoors has always been a challenge. After years of trial and error we have developed the ideal hardwood substrate mix, fruiting technique and perfected (by cloning) a strain that will produce indoors.
Maitake contains an impressive amount of polysaccharides, triterpenes and additional bioactive chemicals that are known to offer a wide range of health benefits. Research shows that its beta glucan content has immune-supporting effects as well as anti-viral properties. The mushroom's bioactive polysaccharides support the body in helping to ward off pathogens. This is particularly useful when there's a cold going around at the office, or you're experiencing stress and have a weakened immune system. Maitake has also been shown to support healthy blood sugar levels, help reduce insulin and support weight loss by regulating cortisol levels, which is a major cause of stress related weight gain.
Health Benefits of Mushrooms
Lion's Mane
Lion’s mane mushrooms are large, white, shaggy mushrooms that
resemble a lion’s mane as they grow. Lion’s mane mushrooms can be
enjoyed raw, cooked, dried or steeped as a tea. Their extracts often
used in over-the-counter health supplements. Many describe their flavor
as “seafood-like,” often comparing it to crab or lobster.
Lion’s mane mushrooms contain bioactive substances that have beneficial
effects on the body, especially the brain, heart and gut. Recent
studies have shown many health benefits including protection against:
- Dementia
- Alzheimer's
- Relieve depression and anxiety
- Protect against ulcers
- Reduce heart attack risk
- Help manage diabetes symptoms
- Fights many types of cancers and reduces inflammation in the body.
Oyster Mushrooms
Pink oyster are a tropical species of mushroom and grow best in warm
humid weather. Yellow are a strain from asia and have high levels of
beta carotine. Blue oyster are found in many forests throughout North
America.
Oyster mushrooms contain a number of substances thought to influence
health. These substances include dietary fiber, beta-glucan, and
several other polysaccharides—a class of carbohydrates found to affect
immune function. Scientific studies on the health benefits of oyster
mushrooms are emerging. Research has examined the potential benefits of
this fungus.
- A 2019 study found evidence that the dietary fiber component of
oyster mushrooms may be useful in reducing triglyceride accumulation in
the liver.
- Promotes Heart Health- Research has indicated
that whole foods with fiber, such as mushrooms, provide several health
effects with few calories making them a smart choice for a healthy
eating pattern. Several studies have associated a higher intake of fiber
with better heart health.
- Supports Better Immune Function.
Oyster mushrooms may enhance immune function, according to a small
study published in 2016.6 For the study, participants ingested an oyster
mushroom extract for eight weeks. At the study's end, researchers found
evidence that the extract may have immune-enhancing effects.
- May Reduce Risk of Cancer.
Some preliminary research indicates that oyster mushrooms may possess
cancer-fighting properties.7 A 2018 study demonstrated that an oyster
mushroom extract may suppress the growth and spread of breast cancer and
colon cancer in human cells. Research is ongoing with scientists
suggesting that more studies are needed to fully understand the
relationship.
- Improves Metabolic Health. Consuming a diet
that includes plenty of fiber-rich vegetables is often recommended by
health professionals as a method to reach and maintain a healthy weight.
But mushrooms may offer an additional benefit to help you maintain
better metabolic health. One published study examined the effects of
edible mushrooms on obesity. Researchers concluded that "regular
consumption of mushrooms is effective in the treatment of metabolic
syndrome, including obesity." They advised, however, that the practice
needs to be combined with regular physical exercise, as well as dietary
and lifestyle alterations.
Reishi Mushrooms
The reishi mushroom, also known as Ganoderma lucidum and lingzhi, is a
fungus that grows in various hot and humid locations in Asia. For many
years, this fungus has been a staple in Eastern medicine. Within the
mushroom, there are several molecules, including triterpenoids,
polysaccharides and peptidoglycans, that may be responsible for its
health effects. While the mushrooms themselves can be eaten fresh, it
is also common to use powdered forms of the mushroom or extracts that
contain these specific molecules. These different forms have been tested
in cell, animal and human studies.
- Boost the Immune system- One of the most important
effects of the reishi mushroom is that it can boost your immune system
(4Trusted Source). While some details are still uncertain, test-tube
studies have shown that reishi can affect the genes in white blood
cells, which are critical parts of your immune system. What’s more,
these studies have found that some forms of reishi may alter
inflammation pathways in white blood cells (5Trusted Source).
- Fights cancer-
Research in cancer patients has shown that some of the molecules found
in the mushroom can increase the activity of a type of white blood cell
called natural killer cells. Natural killer cells fight infections and
cancer in the body. Another study found that reishi can increase the
number of other white blood cells (lymphocytes) in those with colorectal
cancer (2Trusted Source).
- Fights depression and fatigue- Reishi’s
effects on the immune system are often most emphasized, but it has
other potential advantages as well. These include reduced fatigue and
depression, as well as improved quality of life. One study examined its
effects in 132 people with neurasthenia, a poorly defined condition
associated with aches, pains, dizziness, headaches and irritability. The
researchers found that fatigue was reduced and well-being was improved
after 8 weeks of taking the supplements. Another study found that
fatigue was reduced and quality of life was improved after 4 weeks of
taking reishi powder in a group of 48 breast cancer survivors (25Trusted
Source). What’s more, the people in the study also experienced less
anxiety and depression.
- Blood Sugar control- Several
studies have indicated that molecules found in the reishi mushroom can
decrease blood sugar in animals. Some preliminary research in humans
reported similar findings. However, the majority of research has not
supported this benefit. After evaluating hundreds of participants,
researchers found no benefits for fasting blood sugar. Mixed results
were seen for blood sugar after meals. In some cases, reishi mushroom
lowered blood sugar. More studies are currently ongoing.
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