Grow / Strain library
Strain library
A coffee-bean variety guide, but for mushrooms. Each strain entry documents growth conditions (temperature, humidity, substrate), flavor profile, recipe pairings, and the peer-reviewed cultivation literature behind the species.
Oyster (Pleurotus)
Blue Oyster (PoHu strain)
Pleurotus ostreatus var. columbinus — PoHu
Mild oyster character, faintly anise on the nose when raw, savory-sweet when sautéed. Holds up well in stir-fries; doesn't release excessive water like some pearl oyster strains.
- Difficulty
- 2/10
- Yield
- 1.5-3lb
- Days
- 10-16
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Oyster (Pleurotus)
Pink Oyster
Pleurotus djamor
Strong umami with a distinctly bacon/seafood-adjacent aroma. Sliced thin and pan-fried hot, develops a crisp edge that has earned this strain the 'mushroom bacon' nickname in vegan cooking circles.
- Difficulty
- 3/10
- Yield
- 1-2.5lb
- Days
- 7-12
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Oyster (Pleurotus)
Golden Oyster
Pleurotus citrinopileatus
Nutty, faintly fruity, milder than blue oyster. Excellent in cream-based dishes where the color and the gentle flavor both come through.
- Difficulty
- 3/10
- Yield
- 1-2lb
- Days
- 12-18
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Lion's mane (Hericium)
Lion's Mane
Hericium erinaceus — wild-type North American
Crab- or lobster-adjacent texture cooked, with a mild sweetness that pairs with butter, garlic, and white wine. Pan-fry slices in butter until golden — that's the dish.
- Difficulty
- 4/10
- Yield
- 0.8-2lb
- Days
- 14-21
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Shiitake (Lentinula)
Shiitake (cold-weather strain 3782)
Lentinula edodes — WR46 / 3782 lineage
Maximum umami density of any commonly cultivated mushroom. Dried shiitake has 3-5x the glutamate of fresh, which is why most East Asian cuisine uses dried for stock. Fresh: deep savory flavor, slight smokiness when grilled.
- Difficulty
- 6/10
- Yield
- 0.5-1lb
- Days
- 35-60
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King trumpet (Pleurotus eryngii)
King Trumpet (King Oyster)
Pleurotus eryngii
Stem cross-sections seared in oil = vegan scallops, full stop. Cap is gentler in flavor and good for soups or stocks.
- Difficulty
- 5/10
- Yield
- 0.6-1.2lb
- Days
- 25-45
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Maitake (Grifola)
Maitake (Hen of the Woods)
Grifola frondosa
Earthy, peppery, with a deep umami backbone. Often torn into clusters and pan-roasted with butter and herbs; pairs exceptionally with poultry and red wine.
- Difficulty
- 8/10
- Yield
- 0.5-1lb
- Days
- 60-90
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Chestnut (Pholiota)
Chestnut Mushroom
Pholiota adiposa
Nutty, savory, with a slight crunch when sautéed quickly. Sliced and seared, the caps caramelize beautifully.
- Difficulty
- 4/10
- Yield
- 1-2lb
- Days
- 18-25
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