The ShroomBox™

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ShroomBox made out of?
The inner compost is comprised of a variety of ingredients that act as a nutritious soil for the mushroom culture including spent coffee grounds from local cafes, and sawdust from recycled wood waste. There is no gluten in any of the input materials

Why should I grow my own mushrooms instead of buying them at the store?
Growing mushrooms is awesome! Having the freshest, and hopefully the most delicious, farm-fresh oyster mushrooms you grew yourself is so much more fun and rewarding than going to your local store or farmers market.

Are oyster mushrooms good for you?
Oyster mushrooms are an excellent source of various vitamins and minerals. They’re rich in proteins – about one third of their dry weight is protein, dietary fiber, polysaccharides, and antioxidants. Low in fat and simple carbohydrates, they have been known to lower blood cholesterol. So….you can say they’re pretty good for you.

What do oyster mushroom taste like?
Oyster mushrooms have a very mild oyster-like flavour (which is how they got their name). They have a delicate almost velvety texture that make it easy to pair with a variety of foods and dishes such as pasta, stir-fry, soups, skewers, salads, pizza, and anywhere else you like to use mushrooms.

Are your mushrooms suitable for vegetarians and vegans?
Definitely! Oyster mushrooms have a “meaty” texture and make for a delicious alternative to soy products. No animal products go into growing the mushrooms, and our commitment to environmental sustainability means you can feel confident in your purchase.

Can I eat my mushrooms raw?
We strongly suggest cooking your mushrooms before eating them as some people have a hard time digesting raw oyster mushrooms. There are lots of great recipes for soups, stews, stir frys, pizzas, pastas, and more.

I didn’t see any mushrooms growing from my box? What happened?
Usually you’ll see baby mushrooms forming within 3-7 days of soaking/misting the kit. If it has been longer than 7 days, simply re-soak your kit in ice-cold water (you can even add ice cubes to the water) and be sure to mist the kit thoroughly at least twice a day. Keep the kit in a spot that gets indirect light and away from fans, radiators, heaters, and air conditioners. The optimal temperature for the mushrooms to grow in is 21C or 70F.

In addition to re-soaking, you can score the cut area with a fork, place the kit in a brighter area (out of direct sun, but in a bright room), ensure the kit is misted often (your area may be quite dry and it is almost impossible to over mist), and wait for the mushrooms to start growing. If you have further questions, please contact us and we will help you troubleshoot your kit or hook you up a replacement kit free of charge.

I don’t have a green thumb. Can I really grow my own mushrooms?
Definitely! We’ve made the process as easy as possible for beginners and advanced growers. Simply open the package, and following the instructions by misting twice a day and you’ll have your first crop in as little as one week.

How many crops can I expect?
We guarantee at least one crop, with most people getting 2-3 harvests per box. Some of our customers have reported getting 4 harvests per box. After the first harvest, let the kit rest for a week, then repeat the soaking and misting process as per the first crop. You can cut a new hole for the mushrooms to grow out of on the same side or turn the kit around and cut a hole in the back for the new mushroom growing area.

Do I need to use the outer cardboard box to grow the mushrooms?
No. You can grow your mushrooms outside of the box, especially if the box is getting too wet from the misting.

Will my cat/dog eat the mushrooms?
No, we haven’t heard of any cases where pets have eaten the mushrooms as they grew.

I’ve grown my mushrooms, now what?
If you have a garden or composter, the mushroom substrate and soil material makes a great addition to the composter or as a soil conditioner. The worms and your plants will love it! For the intrepid enthusiasts, it’s possible to use your kit and inoculate an outdoor mushroom patch.  The entire kit can be composted, except the bag which is 100% recyclable.

Where is the best place to grow my mushrooms?
Any indoor place that gets indirect light during the day and then darkness at night should be just fine to grow your mushrooms. We like to grow our kits on the kitchen counter as it’s a place we visit regularly (at least for breakfast and dinner) and is easy to mist on a regular basis. The light and dark cycles will stimulate the growth of the mushrooms. We’ve mentioned this before, but keep your kit away from heaters, fans, and air conditioners  as the dry air can slow down the grow of your mushrooms.

Why is my kit white?
The white substance inside the bag is your mycelium, which you can think of as the root system of the mushroom. Seeing it white means it is alive and healthy! Sometimes there may be yellow or orange coloured metabolites that appear. This is normal and should not affect the growth of the mushrooms.

Will the coffee grounds cause the mushrooms to taste like coffee or have caffeine?
No. The mushrooms break down the caffeine, just as they break down other organic material in nature. Your mushrooms will take as delicious as farm fresh or wild picked varieties.

Where should I keep the mushroom kit before using it?
We recommend storing your ShroomBox in a cool/dark cupboard until you are ready to use it. After you open the kit and start the fruiting process, you will want to mist it and follow the instructions to grow the mushrooms. Each mushroom kit will last up to several months if unopened, though it will eventually lose its vigor if left for too long. We recommend opening the kit and starting the growing process shortly after receiving it.

I forgot to spray my kit. What should I do?
If you miss spraying and misting the kit, spray it the next opportunity you have. Early on, it shouldn’t make too much of a difference and it is better to over spray than to under spray. If you’re indoor growing area is very dry or if you don’t mist regularly, the mushrooms can appear smaller in size.

When do I harvest the mushrooms?
As the mushrooms start to grow (usually 4-7 days after soaking and opening the box), you will see them approximately double in size each day. Once their growth slows, and the gills open up on the underside of the mushroom, you can harvest them by picking them off by hand (they will come off quite easily) or cut them with a sharp knife. If the mushrooms like a little dry, soak them in some warm water or your favourite broth before using.

How long can I keep the harvested mushrooms?
If you’re not using the mushrooms right away, we recommend storing them in a paper bag in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Is the inner liner supposed to float when soaking?
Yes, it is normal for the inner liner to float when soaking. We recommend putting it cut side down for the substrate and mycelium to be properly hydrated. It is not necessary to weigh down the block to fully submerge it, but you can if you wish.