Identifying mushrooms requires a basic understanding of their 

macroscopic structure. Most
are Basidiomycetes and gilled. Their spores, called basidiospores, are produced on the gills and fall
in a fine rain of powder from under the caps as a result. At the microscopic level the basidiospores
are shot off basidia and then fall between the gills in the dead air space. As a result, for most
mushrooms, if the cap is cut off and placed gill-side-down overnight, a powdery impression reflecting
the shape of the gills (or pores, or spines, etc.) is formed (when the fruit body is sporulating). The
color of the powdery print, called a spore print, is used to help classify mushrooms and can help to
identify them. Spore print colors include white (most common), brown, black, purple-brown, pink,
yellow, and creamy, but almost never blue, green, or red. [1]

While modern identification of mushrooms is quickly becoming molecular, the standard methods for
identification are still used by most and have developed into a fine art harking back
to medieval times and the Victorian era, combined with microscopic examination. The presence of
juices upon breaking, bruising reactions, odors, tastes, shades of color, habitat, habit, and season
are all considered by both amateur and professional mycologists. Tasting and smelling mushrooms
carries its own hazards because of poisons and allergens. Chemical tests are also used for some
genera.[2]

In general, identification to genus can often be accomplished in the field using a local mushroom
guide. Identification to species, however, requires more effort; one must remember that a mushroom
develops from a button stage into a mature structure, and only the latter can provide certain
characteristics needed for the identification of the species. However, over-mature specimens lose
features and cease producing spores. Many novices have mistaken humid water marks on paper for
white spore prints, or discolored paper from oozing liquids on lamella edges for colored spored
prints.

Classification[edit]
Main articles: Sporocarp (fungi), Basidiocarp and Ascocarp

Trametesversicolor, a polyporemushroom

Typical mushrooms are the fruit bodies of members of the order Agaricales, whose type
genus is Agaricus and type species is the field mushroom, Agaricuscampestris. However, in
modern molecularly defined classifications, not all members of the order Agaricales produce
mushroom fruit bodies, and many other gilled fungi, collectively called mushrooms, occur in other
orders of the class Agaricomycetes. For example, chanterelles are in the Cantharellales, false
chanterelles such as Gomphus are in the Gomphales, milk-cap mushrooms (Lactarius, Lactifluus)
and russulas (Russula), as well as Lentinellus, are in the Russulales, while the tough, leathery
genera Lentinus andPanus are among the Polyporales, but Neolentinus is in the Gloeophyllales, and
the little pin-mushroom genus, Rickenella, along with similar genera, are in the Hymenochaetales.

Within the main body of mushrooms, in the Agaricales, are common fungi like the common fairy-ring
mushroom, shiitake, enoki, oyster mushrooms, fly agarics and other amanitas, magic
mushrooms like species of Psilocybe, paddy straw mushrooms, shaggy manes, etc.

An atypical mushroom is the lobster mushroom, which is a deformed, cooked-lobster-

colored parasitized fruitbody of a Russula orLactarius, colored and deformed by the
mycoparasitic Ascomycete Hypomyceslactifluorum.[3]

Other mushrooms are not gilled, so the term "mushroom" is loosely used, and giving a full account of
their classifications is difficult. Some have pores underneath (and are usually called boletes), others
have spines, such as the hedgehog mushroom and other tooth fungi, and so on. "Mushroom" has
been used for polypores, puffballs, jelly fungi,coral fungi, bracket fungi, stinkhorns, and cup fungi.
Thus, the term is more one of common application to macroscopic fungal fruiting bodies than one
having precise taxonomicmeaning. Approximately 14,000 species of mushrooms are described. [4]

Etymology[edit]

Mushrooms

About

Not technically a vegetable, but a far older member of the plant

kingdom, the fungi. Mushrooms do not use sunlight to produce energy,
hence they have a completely different range of tastes than any other
"vegetable." Did you know that the largest single living organism on earth
is a mushroom called ArmillariaOstoyae, the biggest of which is up to
8,500 years old and carpets nearly 10 square kilometres of forest floor in
northeastern Oregon, USA.

Chefs around the world prize mushrooms, and to the serious mushroom
farmer, they are a valuable crop. With favorable conditions, you can
grow some varieties at home. They require a cool, dark, moist
environment such as a cellar, or for a small crop, even a spot under the
kitchen sink.

Beware of Look-alikes

Unlike the non-threatening brown crimini and other varieties available in

most supermarkets, some mushrooms are toxic. Many edible mushrooms
have a counterpart among the poisonous varieties. According to
naturalist and photographer Roger Phillips in his book "Mushrooms of
North America," the edible orange-colored Granulated bolete is
delicious, but its look-alike in the wild, the Cortinariusmultiformous, is
non-edible. Although the bolete is commercially harvested, it does not
grow easily in non-forest environments, though its meaty texture, nutty
flavor and burger bun shape may be worth your efforts. Growers in
France have been successful with boletes. The crimini is a better choice
for dependability, and it has a robust, earthy flavor.

A Favorite of the Far East

The enoki mushroom is one of the easiest to grow at home. In its natural
environment, it grows on the stumps of the enoki tree. Native to the northern
mountain ranges of Japan, the enoki can be cultivated in a hardwood sawdust
medium. If the climate is warm and moist, you'll produce a crop within three to
four weeks. The mild, buttery flavor of this small mushroom blends well with
other foods. It is one of the best for stir-fry dishes. A traditional ingredient in
Japanese sukiyaki, the enoki is an important ingredient in many Chinese dishes,
too.

The Morel of the Story

The morel mushroom is typically a commercial crop, but you can grow it on a
small scale at home. It is considered a delicacy with its rich, creamy flavor.
Start morels in any type of soil if you live in a mild climate. The mushrooms
grow around decaying ash or elm trees or in old apple orchards, but will grow
in beds in your backyard if you provide them with a log of any of these woods.
The morel mushroom is one of the best for long productivity. A bed of morels
can produce for several seasons. Use caution if harvesting these mushrooms in
their natural habitat. They do have a toxic cousin called the false morel that
closely resembles the true morel.

The Advantages of Oyster Mushrooms

Oyster mushrooms are relatively simple to grow. Their natural environment is a

forested location where they cling to tree trunks and thrive in decomposing
wood waste. At home, grown them in compost made of straw or other
agricultural waste. They prefer a moist environment where temperatures range
between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Oyster mushrooms are one of the best
for home growers because of their nutritional value. According to Cornell
University information, their high selenium content boosts the immune system.
They blend well with other foods and are frequently used in stir fry recipes or
with poultry.

Portabella, the Filet Mignon of Fungi

Despite its lofty position in the mushroom world, the portabella is simply an
overgrown brown crimini. Hardwood sawdust with grain and added nutrients is
the choice growing medium. In its mature state, the flavor of this mushroom is
more intense than the smaller, easy-to-grow crimini. You grow the portabella
the same way as the crimini, but its growth period is four to five days longer.
The width of the cap can range up to 6 inches. You can dry these pungent,
earthy mushrooms successfully. Their fleshy texture makes them a fine
substitute for a tender beef steak

References

 USDA Agricultural Research Service; "Attack of the Killer Fungus"

 WMMA; "Nature's Response to the Fire Season"
 The Mushroom Growers Newsletter; Resources for Mushrooms Growers
Background Information 
 

How to Make a Homemade Mushroom Growing Box

Mushrooms go through three states to become the fungi you enjoy in

various dishes. The first stage is the spawning stage, the second stage is
the vegetative growth state and the third is the fruiting stage. The
production of spawn is difficult and best left to professional mushroom
growers. Obtain your spawn from them after you've prepared your own
mushroom growing box at home and seasoned the compost properly. If
you do things right, in about eight weeks, you should see a crop of
mushrooms in the final fruiting stage.

Things You'll Need

 Rubber gloves
 Roll of plastic sheeting
 Scissors
 Box tape
 Plastic storage container, 20-qt. size
  Thermometer
 Organic compost
 Mushroom spawn
 Hand-held shovel
 Hydrogen peroxide
 Sphagnum moss

Instructions

 Put on a pair of rubber gloves before you begin. You want a mushroom-
growing environment that is as sterile as possible to keep bacteria and
pests from making their homes in your mushroom growing box.
 Cut a piece from a roll of plastic sheeting to fit inside a 20-qt. plastic
storage container. Pull the plastic tight inside the container, cover the
sides and secure the plastic over the rim of the container with box tape.
 Fill the container 2/3 full with organic compost. Measure the
temperature of the compost. The temperature of the compost needs to
be below 86 degree F to add the spawn.
 Add the mushroom spawn and combine it evenly with the compost using
your hands. If you decide to use a small shovel to add the spawn, you
must sterilize the instrument first with hydrogen peroxide.
 Place the container in a dark and moderately warm place where you can
monitor the temperature and humidity level. Indirect light on the
mushroom box is alright.
 Check the box often for three to four days for mycelia growth. You will
see a fibrous substance that is either gray or white making its way
through the top of the compost. Wait about 10 days to allow the spawn
to go through all of the compost before you apply the casing, or
sphagnum moss.
 Remove the sphagnum moss from its sterile packaging and moisten it
with water. Cover the mycelia an even layer, 8 or 9 inches thick, with
the sphagnum moss. This casing encourages the mycelia, or vegetative
state, to convert to the fruiting state.
 If you smell ammonia in the compost, do not add the mushroom spawn,
as the mushrooms are not likely to grow in this medium. When ammonia
is present, the compost is not complete.

Tips & Warnings

 Make sure you are CERTAIN of the mushroom you are eating. If not
certain, bring one to your local university extension agent for
identification.
 After you harvest the first growth of mushrooms, additional crops will
grow for up to a month.
 If you don't have access to a soil test kit, check out your local extension
office. Some offices will test your soil for you.
 If you can wait a year before planting your garden, grow a cover crop,
such as alfalfa, in the garden plot. At the end of the growing season,
you till the cover directly into the soil. This is known as green manure,
and it provides many nutrients naturally that will allow you to build
 your garden soil.

References

 http://www.ehow.com/how_11385312_make-homemade-mushroom-
growing-box.html
 ACS Distance Education- Mushrooms
 United Nations University; Mushroom Production Technology for Rural
Development; R.V. Alicbusan

 USDA Agricultural Research; Vitamin D in Mushrooms

 VIDEO: How to Grow Mushrooms  http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=irjwX3qgtTg
 University of Georgia; "Georgia Specialty Mushroom Feasibility Study"; Douglas
Bachtel, 2002
 How to Prepare Compost for Mushrooms
http://www.ehow.com/how_7710806_prepare-compost-mushrooms.html
 How to Grow Edible Mushrooms Indoors
http://www.ehow.com/how_7725725_grow-edible-mushrooms-inside.html
 Where to Get Mushroom Spawn [personal favorite: White Button]
http://www.bestspores.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=64
 Where to Buy Dowels Inoculated with Mushroom
Spawn: http://www.raintreenursery.com/RT_2012.pdf
 US Small Farm Program; "Mushrooms- A Fine Agricultural Crop"
 How To Grow Shiitake Mushrooms
http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/how-to-grow-shiitake-
mushrooms
 University of California Small Farm Program; Mushrooms- A Fine Agricultural
Crop; Moe-Mei Chen; 1993

of Kitchen Measuring List

Tools
Updated on June 23, 2015

When I follow a recipe, I like to measure what I add to what I am cooking to make sure I get it
rigwitson and Curtis Stone, never seems to worry about measuring, it seems that some cooks just
add ht but sometimes still end up in disaster. Famous chefs like Jaime Oliver, TV chef Iain He”a
little of this and a little of that” without measuring and cook their food "until it is done” with fine
results.
However, many recipes require precise measurement and timing. For that reason it’s good idea to
have stock your kitchen with accurate measuring tools and timers.
Do you have these handy kitchen tools?

Norpro Plastic 4 Cup Measuring Pitcher Tool With Handle And Pour
Spout New 3037

Buy Now

Liquid Measuring Cup

Resembling pitchers with calibrated measurements of fluid ounces and cups printed vertically on
their sides, the best liquid measuring cups are made of heatproof tempered glass.
They have pour sprouts in their rims opposite a comfortable handle and are available in a variety
of sizes to suit your needs.
 A cup with a 2-cup (16fl oz/500 –ml) capacity is the most versatile.
Dry Measuring Cups
 Dry measuring cups come in sets of graduated volumes , typically ranging from ¼ cup (2 floz
/60 ml) to 1 cup (8 floz/250 ml). 
They are usually made of stainless steel, heavy duty plastic or polycarbonate with a straight  rim
that enables you to level the ingredient being measured for an accurate quantity.

NEW NORPRO 5 PIECE MINI MEASURING SPOONS SET S/S TAD DASH PINCH SMIDGEN DROP

Buy Now
Measuring Spoons
Set of measuring spoons typically include spoons in increments of ¼ teaspoons, ½ teaspoon, 1
teaspoon and 1 tablespoon for measuring both dry and liquid ingredients. 
As with dry measuring cups,  level off dry ingredients in the spoon with a flat edge for accuracy.

Kitchen Scales
A kitchen scales can be convenient especially for baking recipes, because it measures ingredients
more accurately than measuring by volume.
Choose a scale whether manual or digital, capable of weighing up to 10 pounds (5 kg) in
increments no larger than ¼ ounce (7g) and that also provides corresponding metric
measurements.
The weighing bowl of a manual scale should be large enough to handle at least 2 cups (10 oz/315
g) of flour or an equivalent item.
Digital scales should allow you to weigh ingredients in any bowl or container.

NEW SUNBEAM 60 MINUTE ANALOG KITCHEN TIMER,1 HOUR MECHANICAL ALARM BELL RING

Buy Now

Timers
Timers are an essential part of a well stocked kitchen. They remind you when it’s time to check on
food as it cooks to ensure it doesn't overcook or burn. Some cooks even like to wear a timer around
their neck, less they get distracted by other household tasks.

Manual Timers
Traditional manual timers are typically spring –activated models with dials that you turn to the
desired length of time. When that time has elapsed the timer buzzes or rings like an alarm clock.
They can be found in an array of colors.

Electronic Timers

These timers feature a digital display that beeps when the time is up. Some include multiple displays
to help you keep track of the timing for more than one dish. Some sit on the counter, while others
use a magnetic strip to stick to appliances.

Kitchen Tools Series - Knives

 Different types of kitchen knives and their uses

Good knives are essential part of your kitchen and it is good to know the different types of
Rhodiolarosea extract may improve anxiety, stress
and mood
Posted on November 18, 2015 by oriveda

reply

Daily intake of a Rhodiolarosea L. extract may improve various measures of mood in people
with mild anxiety, says a new study from England.

Data
from 81 mildly anxious students indicated that 14 days of supplementation with
a Rhodiolarosea extract significantly reduced self-reported anxiety and stress.
Improvements in self-reported anger, confusion, and depression were also reported by the
researchers.
“Although Rhodiolarosea has been used traditionally to relieve a range of symptoms of stress
related disorders, to our knowledge this is the first study to demonstrate the efficacy of
Rhodiolarosea  in the treatment of mild anxiety,” wrote Mark Cropley, Adrian Banks, and Julia
Boyle from the University of Surrey in Phytotherapy Research .
Study details
Cropley, Banks, and Boyle recruited 81 students with an average age of 21 to participate in their 14-
day study. The participants were assigned to receive two 200 mg doses per day of
the Rhodiolarosea extract or no treatment.
Self-reported measures indicated that Rhodiola group demonstrated a significant reduction in self-
reported anxiety and stress. Secondary endpoints, including anger, confusion and depression, also
improved over the 14 day trial. Self-reported “total mood” was also significantly improved in the
Rhodiola group.
On the other hand, no changes to measures of cognitive function were reported by the researchers.
Apart from that, the safety and tolerability of the Rhodiolarosea supplements were found to be good.
Rhodiolarosea roots are chopped into slices and then dried. These dried raw slices as sold by ORIVeDA are used to

prepare a tincture.

“Future research is needed to replicate the current findings, and it would be desirable to supplement
the subjective nature of self-reports with more objective indices,” wrote Cropley, Banks, and
Boyle. “Clinical interviews could be used to assess mood, and sleep could be assessed via wrist
actigraphy or EEG.
“The lack of placebo control is another limitation of this study. It is unlikely that the findings were
the result of placebo effects, as changes appeared gradual and were specific to certain measures. As
this was a non-placebo RCT, however, we cannot determine a causal relationship, and we cannot
exclude that some of the changes were because of time alone or other factors.”
“Overall the results demonstrated that Rhodiolarosea is effective in the treatment of mild anxiety
and stress. It improved confusion, anger, and total mood, and was well tolerated.”
Source: Phytotherapy Research 
“The Effects of Rhodiolarosea L. Extract on Anxiety, Stress, Cognition and Other Mood Symptoms”
Authors: M. Cropley, A.P. Banks, J. Boyle
knives and their uses. Knowing the right knife to use for each task and how to use it makes
cooking easier.

https://oriveda.wordpress.com

The Common Mushroom is actually a particular mushroom and not a generic term.

Its scientific name is AgaricusBisporus. Of course it was accorded the name because it is the
most commonly known and eatenmushroom across the world./

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=mushroom

Often grouped with vegetables, mushrooms provide many of the nutritional attributes of produce, as well as attributes
more commonly found in meat, beans or grains4. Mushrooms are low in calories, fat-free, cholesterol-free and very
low in sodium, yet they provide several nutrients that are typically found in animal foods or grains4,9. Like all fruits
and vegetables, mushrooms are naturally gluten free, and make a delicious and nutritious to a gluten free diet.

http://mushroominfo.com/benefits/#sthash.5wZpvUD3.dpuf

Pure Mushroom Spawn & Cultures

This section of fungi.com deals with sawdust/wood chip spawn, grain spawn, and cultures for
professional mushroom cultivation. If you are looking for Plug Spawn for log and stump
cultivation for the home grower, click here.

Sawdust Spawn  |  Grain Spawn  |  Mushroom Cultures  |  Mushroom Cloning Service

 Fungi Perfecti offers ready-to-inoculate, pure
mushroom spawn and cultures of over 25 different edible and MycoMedicinal® mushroom species. We
maintain stock of these species for use as inoculum into bulk substrates.

Please note: unlike our ready-to-grow Mushroom Patches and Plug Spawn, our Sawdust Spawn, Grain
Spawn and Cultures do not come with instructions. It is up to the purchaser to familiarize him/herself with
the techniques of sterile mushroom tissue culture to properly use these products. The books Growing
Gourmet & Medicinal Mushrooms andThe Mushroom Cultivator are essential texts in this field.

Turnaround time for most orders is 2–6 weeks; each order of spawn or cultures is custom-generated at
the time of the order, and grow-out times will vary. Please check the availability and estimated date of
shipping for your spawn when ordering. We do our very best to insure that quality spawn is produced. We
can not, however, be responsible for the condition of spawn once shipped. Under some conditions we
prefer to ship via UPS 2nd Day Air to isure viability; we will contact you prior to processing your order if
we deem a shipping upgrade to be necessary. If the spawn arrives defective, it will replaced at no charge
provided we are notified within 48 hours of delivery and the defective spawn is returned. Since we cannot
control the methods by which this spawn is used, no promises or claims about yields are made (there are
simply too many factors involved). This spawn is being offered as a service. We encourage all
commercial cultivators to develop sterile culture skills to create their own spawn. Promoting sterile culture
is our business.

Terms of Use of Fungi Perfecti's Cultures and Spawn

When you place an order for Fungi Perfecti's Pure Mushroom Grain Spawn or Cultures, you will be
required to read and acknowledge a Sale Agreement prior to delivery. The text for these agreements is
available for viewing online:
Mushroom Spawn Sale Agreement
Mushroom Culture Sale Agreement
 

Strain Collection Mission Statement

Fungi Perfecti is dedicated to preserving the fungal genome and actively search for new strains from old
growth forests. Primarily centering on saprophytic mushrooms, our goal is to capture as many phenotypes
as possible through tissue culture cloning.

With the loss of habitat, especially ancient forests, we feel the importance of biological diversity can not
be overstated. We hope to do our small part to help preserve the fungal biome by bringing into culture
ancestral strains before they are lost forever.

Important Conditions & Restrictions Regarding International Orders

for Fungi Perfecti's Pure Mushroom Spawn & Cultures

Fungi Perfecti's Pure Mushroom Spawn and Cultures have been grown and stored under tightly
controlled laboratory conditions. Fungi Perfecti is Certified Organic by the Washington State Department
of Agriculture; this certification extends to our cultures and spawn. Upon request, we can provide
international customers with a Manufacturer's Declaration stating that our cultures and spawn are grown
on sterilized media, and incubated in Class 100 Clean Rooms (this means that they contain fewer than
100 airborne particles per cubic meter of air).

Your country's government may have restrictions on the importation of live mushroom mycelium in
general, or on the importation of certain species or forms of live mycelium in particular.

It is the responsibility of the customer to research and fulfill the requirements for importation of live
mushroom mycelium into his/her country. Fungi Perfecti shall bear no responsibility for the loss or
damage of live mushroom mycelium seized or detained by government agencies because of improper or
missing permits or documentation. Fungi Perfecti will also not be held responsible for any fees, fines,
duties or taxes charged to a customer in connection with an order for any of Fungi Perfecti's products or
services. Additionally, Fungi Perfecti will not alter official documentation such as phytosanitary
certificates, invoices, bills of lading, etc., in any way that renders the document inaccurate or misleading
regarding the contents or value of the product(s) being ordered.

Fungi Perfecti does not have the capacity to fully document and follow all international importation
restrictions and conditions. It is incumbent upon the international customer to familiarize him/herself with
these regulations and take them into consideration when ordering. Any international order that is returned
to Fungi Perfecti due to any circumstance other than defective merchandise or documentable negligence
on the part of Fungi Perfecti will be refunded, in whole or in part, at the sole discretion of Fungi
Perfecti. If we judge that we have processed and shipped your order with all due diligence, your money
will not be refunded. Shipping charges will not be refunded.
Is ash good for compost? Yes. Since ashes do not contain nitrogen and will not
burn plants, they can be useful in the garden, especially in the compost pile.
Wood ash compost can be a valuable source of lime,potassium, and other trace
elements.

Fireplace Ashes for Compost

Composting ashes is an ideal way to put them to use in the garden. Fireplace
ashes for compost can be used to help maintain the neutral condition of the
compost. It can also add nutrients to the soil. Decomposing materials in the
compost pile can become somewhat acidic and wood ash can help offset this, as
it’s more alkaline in nature.

However, it may not be a good idea to use charcoal ashes, such as those from
grills. Compost with charcoal can have chemical residue from the additives in the
charcoal. These chemicals can be harmful to plants, especially when used in
large amounts. Therefore, it is better to stick with wood ash—provided that the
wood used has not been treated or painted.

Advertisement

Using Wood Ash Compost Instead of Direct Ash

Applications
Ashes tend to raise the soil pH, so you shouldn’t use it directly on plants,
especially acid-loving ones likerhododendrons, azaleas, and blueberries. Also, in
high amounts, wood ash can inhibit plant growth by restricting nutrients, like iron.
Don’t apply it directly unless a soil testindicates a low pH level, or low potassium.
Adding wood ash within the compost pile, however, will lessen any chance of
future issues and can be safely added to the soil as a balanced fertilizer.
In addition to improving the soil health, adding wood ash compost around plants
may be beneficial in repelling some types of insect pests, like slugs and snails.

Composting ashes can add to the richness of your garden soil as well as being a
convenient and eco-friendly way of disposing of your fireplace or campfire ashes.