In North America, nearly five deaths from mushroom poisoning are recorded every year, a statistic that remains consistent despite the growing popularity of foraging. Before consuming any mushrooms, proper identification is crucial.

Many people use their cell phones to photograph their finds. However, these photos often lack essential morphological and environmental details necessary to prevent fatal errors. Consequently, many 'facial recognition' applications fail miserably at this task.

Shaggy Delicacies

Just before the first frost, be sure to spot the delightful chaggy manes in the meadows. Be careful, they expose their shaggy look for just a few days and quickly melt. Desperate for these elusive mushrooms: you'll know where to find them with our growing kits (on sale this month).

Shaggy manes are easy to prepare, but don't delay. To make the pleasure last, disgorge gently in the pan and freeze in its broth; or dehydrate and grind. Our velouté recipe makes the most of their creamy texture.

Umamimous Choice

Unlike the primary tastes - salty, sweet, sour and bitter - perceived in the mouth and through the nose, umami (appetizing in Japanese) also comes from the belly, and is linked to the glutamic acid in certain foods. A satiety signal is transmitted to the brain after eating meat or mushrooms, particularly matsutake (Tricholoma matsutake).

Our North American species, Tricholoma magnivelare, has the same gastronomic qualities as its Japanese counterpart. With its powerful, cinnamon-like aroma, you'll sense its presence under pine trees (matsu) as well as under hemlock trees.

Matsutake Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki is a Japanese omelette filled with white cabbage and tonkatsu sauce. We've chosen to incorporate matsutakes: the result is simply delicious. Variations are also possible with hedgehogs, maïtake, shiitake or winter chanterelles. Mushrooms can be used fresh in season, frozen or rehydrated after drying.

You'll be delighted. For you and your guests to enjoy!

Sowing Time

September and October are the best months to prepare for next outside mushroom harvest. Our growing kits for morels, blewits, chaggy manes and wine caps are on sale: $25 instead of $37. These 1 kg bags of colonized substrate cover 1 m² of surface or 20 cm x 5 m of flowerbed: they'll be ready to produce as early as next year if the squirrels and other amateurs spare them.

The price of 100 dowels for logs cultivation has also been reduced: 15$ instead of $20.