Category: MycoAcademy
MycoAcademy is a hub full of articles and videos from the community to learn about mushrooms, more specifically about mushroom in Prague.
We will try to answer here : How does a gourmet mushroom grow to be cooked in our local Prague Restaurants?
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What Makes Lion’s Mane Taste Like Seafood?
The Mushroom That Tastes Like Seafood Among gourmet mushrooms, lion’s mane mushrooms stand out for one surprising reason — they taste remarkably similar to seafood. Many chefs and home cooks compare them to crab, lobster, or scallops, making them one of the most popular plant-based seafood alternatives. But what exactly gives lion’s mane this unique…
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The Role of Supplementation: Adding Bran, Gypsum, and More to Boost Mushroom Growth
In mushroom cultivation, your substrate is your foundation — but supplementation is what takes your results to the next level. By adding nutrient-rich materials like bran, gypsum, or soybean hulls, growers can significantly increase yields, improve mushroom size, and shorten colonization time. However, supplementation is a powerful tool that must be used carefully. Done right,…
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The Difference Between Liquid Culture and Agar in Mycology
In modern mushroom cultivation, the laboratory is where successful harvests begin. Two essential tools used by mycologists and mushroom farms are agar plates and liquid culture. Both methods allow growers to propagate mycelium and produce mushroom spawn, but they serve different purposes in the cultivation process. Understanding the difference between liquid culture and agar in…
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The Difference Between Pinning and Fruiting in Mushrooms
In mushroom cultivation, the transition from mycelium to harvestable mushrooms happens in stages. Two of the most important stages are pinning and fruiting. Understanding the difference between these phases helps mushroom growers manage environmental conditions and produce high-quality crops of oyster mushrooms, shiitake, Lion’s mane, and maitake. Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, pinning…
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Mushrooms as Meat Alternatives: How to Cook Them Right
Why Mushrooms Make an Excellent Meat Alternative As more people explore plant-based diets, mushrooms have emerged as one of the most convincing and nutritious meat alternatives available. Thanks to their natural umami flavor, firm texture, and impressive nutrient profile, mushrooms can replicate the savory depth typically associated with meat. Varieties like oyster mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms,…
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Light and Mushrooms: How Fruiting Bodies Respond to Illumination
Unlike plants, mushrooms do not use light for photosynthesis. However, light still plays a critical role in mushroom fruiting. For species like oyster mushrooms, shiitake, and Lion’s mane, proper illumination helps trigger pinning and guides the development of healthy fruiting bodies. Light is not food for mushrooms — it’s a signal. Why Mushrooms Respond to…
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Understanding Agar Plates: How Mushroom Strains Are Isolated
Behind every successful mushroom harvest is a clean, carefully selected strain. Whether growing oyster mushrooms, shiitake, or Lion’s mane, professional mushroom farms rely on agar plates to isolate and refine mushroom genetics before moving to spawn production. Agar work is one of the most important steps in laboratory mushroom cultivation — and it’s where quality…
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The Economic Value of Gourmet Mushrooms in Local Food Systems
Why Gourmet Mushrooms Matter Economically Gourmet mushrooms such as oyster, shiitake, lion’s mane, and maitake are no longer niche ingredients. Across Europe and beyond, they are becoming key drivers of local food economies, connecting small farms, restaurants, markets, and consumers through short, resilient supply chains. For cities like Prague, where demand for fresh, high-quality ingredients…
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Hardwood vs. Straw: What’s the Best Base for Gourmet Mushrooms?
Introduction When it comes to gourmet mushroom cultivation, few decisions are as important as choosing the right substrate base. Two of the most widely used materials — hardwood and straw — each have distinct advantages, limitations, and ideal use cases. For growers supplying home cooks and restaurant chefs, substrate choice doesn’t just affect yield —…
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Fresh Air Exchange: Why Mushrooms Need to Breathe to Fruit
Mushrooms don’t have lungs — but they still need to breathe. Fresh Air Exchange (FAE) is one of the most important environmental factors in mushroom fruiting, directly influencing shape, size, and overall quality. Without proper airflow, even perfectly humid fruiting rooms can fail. The Role of CO₂ in Mushroom Growth As mycelium grows, it releases…