Lion's Mane Mushroom Grow Kit

The Lion's Mane Mushroom Kit includes a five pound bag of Lion's Mane mushroom mycelium growing on hardwood sawdust and soy hulls. The mycelium is the vegetative stage of the mushroom life-cycle; the mushrooms are the fruits. In the box you will also find instructions, a compostable tent, and chopsticks for supporting the tent. Each kit arrives ready to give way to the freshest Lion's Mane mushrooms you can find. Just follow the instructions to bring forth homegrown gourmet mushrooms.

Lion’s Mane is a white mushroom, belonging to the "tooth fungi" group, with a shaggy appearance resembling a lion’s mane. The spines of lion's mane mushrooms are the equivalent to the gills on other mushrooms - that's where the spores are born.  It is native to North America, favoring Beech trees and fruiting in the fall. A very rare and exciting find in the wild, it is not a commonly cultivated mushroom. A bit more sensitive than other species, the mushrooms do not endure the food supply chain well. Which is why we are so glad we can offer kits so you can grow them at home! Like many of gourmet mushrooms it thrives on sawdust (another saprophyte), which we supplement with organic soy hulls.

With such a unique texture this mushroom can transform and elevate many dishes. The lion's mane are reputed to have a subtle seafood like flavor and texture, we find this especially true when sautéed or seared in butter.  Used as a compliment with other seafood, for instance instead of scallops in a Scampi, or as a protein replacement in a not-quite-crab-cake, the options are endless. Keep it simple by sautéing it up with some butter and salt, or make some vegetarian seafood treats, you will be amazed and comforted by the appeal of Lions Mane.

Beyond being a culinary delight, this mushroom is believed to have adaptogenic properties with the human body. Used for centuries in eastern medicine to promote a healthy gut, mind and body, it is known to possess unique polysaccharides and beta-glucans which can have a positive effect on aspects of the immune system. The compounds hericenone and erinacine are unique to the lions mane mushroom, and have been show to have a direct link with the promotion of Nerve Growth Factor (Source). There is ongoing research into the uses of this mushroom and its effects on the body, so keep up to date on developments in our understanding of this mushroom.