How to Grow Enoki Mushroom: Step-by-step Process Explained

Enoki mushrooms are a common ingredient in Japanese, Chinese, and Korean cuisines. They are long, thin, white fungi with a mild flavor and crisp texture generally used in salads, hot pots, stir-fries, etc.

What is Enoki Mushroom?

Enoki mushrooms, also known as golden needle, lily, or enokitake, are a species of Flammulina velutipes edible fungus that grows naturally on tree stumps from late fall to early spring. The cultivars grown for commercial purposes are very different from those found in the wild. These mushrooms are produced in a CO₂-rich atmosphere with little light, resulting in a pale white mushroom with long, thin stems that can reach five inches in length and tiny caps.

Since their roots are intertwined, each stem originates from a single, interconnected mass at the base. This root foundation is still present when the mushrooms are sold, but it must be removed before use.

Enoki mushrooms have a moderate, nutty, somewhat fruity flavor and a crisp, slightly chewy texture. It can be prepared quickly and taste great in soups, stews, stir-fries, hot pots, ramen and soba, omelets, rice dishes, sushi, spring rolls, and curries. Enoki mushroom bite-sized bundles are occasionally wrapped in bacon, grilled, and then served with a hot sauce. In salads, they can also be served raw.

Why Go for Enoki Mushrooms?

You should cultivate enoki mushrooms for a variety of reasons. To begin with, they are a sustainable and eco-friendly source of food. Enoki mushrooms are a great option for city people or anybody with a small yard since they can grow on recycled paper, coffee grounds, hay, or other recyclable items without the need for soil. They are versatile and have a fantastic flavor as well. The best part is that cultivating your mushrooms is simple and affordable. You can keep a consistent supply of fresh enoki mushrooms in your own home with only a few basic ingredients.

How to Grow Enoki Mushrooms in Your Garden?

To cultivate enoki mushrooms at home, follow these four simple instructions.

Step 1: Obtain Spawn and Substrate

You will require spawn and substrate in order to produce enoki mushrooms at home. The first step to growing enoki mushrooms is to find spawn and growing medium.

Spawn (can be referred to as mushroom seeds), can be acquired from a number of online vendors or neighborhood gardening stores.

The substance on which the mushrooms will grow is called a substrate, and it can be anything from hay to used coffee grounds. You are ready to begin growing once you have your spawn and substrate with you.

Step 2: Get Your Substrate Ready              

Various substrates will support the growth of enoki mushrooms; however, hay or coffee grounds perform best. If you're using coffee grounds, just wet them by combining them with some water before putting them in a container. If you choose to use hay, soak it in water for 24 hours before adding it to your container. For a more thorough method, pressure roast the hay for 5 to 10 minutes to ensure all the competing microorganisms are eliminated. You are ready to add the spawn once your substrate has been prepared.

Step 3: Add Spawn to Substrate

Simply sprinkle the spawn on top of the hay or coffee grounds to add it to the substrate. After that, seal the container with plastic wrap or a lid and store it somewhere warm and dark. In a few days, the mushrooms should start to sprout.

Step 4: Harvest Enoki mushrooms

Small mushrooms will start to grow from the substrate after a few days. They are ready to be harvested when they reach the size you wish. Simply use a sharp knife to slice them at the root to do this. To ensure that the mushroom continues to develop, make sure to leave a portion of it behind. You can consume your mushrooms raw or cooked in a number of cuisines after collecting them.

Tips

• Don't be shocked if your mushrooms are of different size or color from those you find in the store, which are grown under highly regulated conditions.

• You can grow Enoki mushrooms indoors in a container or outdoors in a suitable piece of soil treated with a thick layer of substrate. When grown in partial light, they frequently acquire a faint golden tint.

• Enoki mushrooms are valued for their therapeutic properties in several regions of the world and are frequently made into teas and other potent remedies.