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Sunday, February 13, 2011

How It's Made - The Mushroom Farm

I've mentioned going to the mushroom farm several times on this blog.  There are three mushroom farms within driving distance of us.  The one I like going to is a rather nondescript building, very much industrial in appearance.  While they have a sign there is no indication that they sell to the public and they don't advertise that they sell to the public.  I've been going there for mushrooms since I was a newlywed.  I found out about this particular mushroom farm the same way everyone else finds out about it, via word of mouth.

When I go to the mushroom farm I go in a regular door that leads to the actual mushroom farm.  There is a mustiness that is hard to describe and it is always cool even in the high heat of summer.  Workers can be seen sorting the mushrooms from large trays into 5 lb boxes.  To the left is a very small office.  I ask the receptionist there for the grade and number of boxes I want then pay for them.  A worker goes and gets my boxes that I carefully stack in my car then I'm off to home ready to can, freeze and enjoy mushrooms fresh.

Mushrooms are grown on farms but very different farms than other produce.  The reason being is mushrooms are grown in the dark and they are grown year round.  I found this video on YouTube showing how mushrooms are grown.  It's a bit longer but well worth watching.  I hope you enjoy it.



4 comments:

  1. You are so lucky! I don't think I have ever seen a mushroom farm, other than on TV.
    I would love to have truly fresh mushrooms nearby. :)

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  2. Anonymous3:19 PM

    What an interesting mushroom trek! I assume it's much cheaper to pay for mushrooms at this industrial mushroom farm instead of the grocery store. How much cheaper? haha, and I thought you'd be going to the farm to pick mushrooms!

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  3. Hi Linda :) Oh my gosh, I love going to the mushroom farm! Have you checked in your area for one? They usually don't advertise so can be hard to find.

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  4. Hi Jing Loh and thanks for visiting :) It is cheaper to by at the mushroom farm because you can also get seconds. Normally in the grocery stores the mushroom selection is firsts. Seconds usually go to the processing plants. I pay $6 for a 5 lb box which works out to $1.20 per lb. Mushrooms here tend to stay at the $1.99 per lb mark or higher in the grocery stores so there is a savings buying them direct.

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