FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Are your trees sustainably harvested?
Yes! We pride ourselves on sustainable tree harvesting and felling practices. Each year we carefully select beech and maple trees that have healthy bark and few branches, and log them from dense stands on our farm to promote re-growth.
Q: The log I have has empty holes or missing inoculation plugs – should I be concerned?
The inoculation plugs may fall out (or even be taken by squirrels), but by the time the log reaches you, the shiitake mycelium should have colonized most of the sapwood of the log. No need to worry about the loss of the inoculation plug!
Q: How can I be sure that the mushrooms on my log are Shiitake?
All of our mushroom logs are inoculated with shiitake mycelium, and no other species of mushroom should grow. However, you can compared your mushrooms to images on our website and contact us if you are not sure.
Q: I’ve followed the instructions, but my log did not produce any mushrooms. What happened?
Some logs may fail to “take” and, despite proper care, may not produce mushrooms. We have specifically selected logs to prevent this from happening, but if your log fails to produce mushrooms, let us know and we will provide instructions, replace your log, or offer you a full refund.
Q: When do I harvest mushrooms growing on my log?
Mushrooms should be harvested once the cap has separated from the stem but is still curled under at the edges. However, the mushrooms are edible and flavourful at any time.
Q: How do I re-hydrate and use my dried mushrooms?
The dried mushrooms are re-hydrated by soaking them in 5–10 minutes in hot water (or wine, broth, etc.). Remove from water and cook as you would fresh mushrooms. The liquid used for re-hydration works well as a stock or broth. Alternatively, dried mushrooms can be added directly to soups or sauces to thicken and add flavour.
See our recipes for ideas!
Q: How do I store my fresh, dried, or smoked mushrooms?
Fresh – store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days in a paper bag or the supplied clamshell package.
Dried – store in the cupboard (not in the fridge) in a sealed and dry container for up to 12 months.
Smoked – store at room temperature up to 10 days, in the fridge up to 3 months, or frozen for up to 12 months.