The subtle sweetness and pleasant crunch that enoki mushrooms bring to soups, stir fries, and stews are the primary reasons for their cultivation. Enokis are chock-full of B vitamins and other essential vitamins and minerals, and they are particularly popular in the cuisines of Japan, Korea, and China. Enokis, which are also known as enokitake, have been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and strengthen the immune system.
In contrast to the squat, golden Flammulina velutipes that grow on the sides of trees in the wild, the enokis that can be purchased in grocery stores have a completely different appearance. The growing circumstances of enoki need to be properly regulated so that it can develop into stems that are stringy and white and have small button tops.
For enokis to have the look of sprouts, certain conditions, like low light, temperature regulation, and a high carbon dioxide level, are required. You can cultivate your very own at home with a mushroom beginning kit or with a jar, spawn, and substrate all on your own.
Instructions for Cultivating Enoki Mushrooms
Finding spawn and a suitable growing medium is the first stage in the process of cultivating enoki mushrooms. Sawdust from aged hardwoods is another option for the growth media. Following this step, choose several glass containers and disinfect them.
Integrate the spores into the medium in a comprehensive manner. Fill the container with medium and keep it in an area with temperatures between 72 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit (22 and 25 degrees Celsius) and a very high humidity. Keep the jars in a dark position if you want white fungi; alternatively, your caps will be brown, which are still very delicious.
After a few weeks, the mycelium should be visible to the naked eye. Once it has coated the medium, place the jars to an area where the temperature is between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit (10-15 C.). The creation of the caps is aided as a result of this. Maintain the temperature of your growth container at either room temperature or a colder temperature.
Create some room on a counter or in your pantry for your Enokis, or allocate a shelf in your refrigerator specifically for them to occupy. They should be stored at temperatures between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit (4 and 10 degrees Celsius), although they can develop without any problems (albeit at a somewhat slower rate) in temperatures up to around 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius).
Eating Enoki Mushrooms
Due to the fact that mushrooms are so thin, they require a short amount of cooking time and must be added at the very end of preparation. Although it is most typically used in Asian cuisine, enoki may enhance the flavor and texture of any dish. You can eat them raw in salads, add them to sandwiches, or munch on them by themselves as a snack. Traditional applications include stir fries and soups.
It is believed that the fungi can improve health by enhancing the immune system and curing conditions that affect the liver. There is also a small school of belief that the mushrooms can diminish the size of tumors, despite the fact that there is no related scientific evidence to support this claim.