Grow-It-Yourself Shiitake Log Tops Mushroom Lovers' Christmas List

Shiitakes are definitely a preferred 'shroom among mycophiles. The second-best selling mushroom in the world, they're one of the world's best tasting, most versatile varieties. Shiitake mushroom logs are a unique, entertaining and healthful gift for people who love good food.

Perkins, OK (PRWEB) November 22, 2006 -- Shiitakes are definitely a preferred 'shroom among mycophiles. The second-best selling mushroom in the world, they're one of the world's best-tasting, most versatile varieties. In order to have shiitakes at their freshest, mushroom aficionados can now grow the queen of gourmet mushrooms at home with their own shiitake mushroom logs. Grown either indoors like houseplants or outside in a shady area of the yard, all that's needed is to add water.

"Most mushroom lovers have never tasted the true flavor and texture of the shiitake," according to shiitake farmer Doug Williams of Lost Creek
Mushroom Farm, (www.shiitakemushroomlog.com.) "Shiitakes purchased from the grocery store are grown in sterilized sawdust -- a world apart from shiitakes grown in their natural habitat, on hardwood branches and trees. And, when grown at home, the mushrooms can be harvested at their peak, ready to go straight from the log to the kitchen."

In addition to their superior flavor, many people prefer the freshest specimens possible to maximize the mushrooms' health benefits. Research has suggested the gourmet mushrooms may enhance our immune systems, fight infections and even offer protection against high cholesterol, heart disease and certain cancers. They're also packed with antioxidants, which act to repel free radicals.

At Lost Creek Mushroom Farm, logs are cut in the winter when the sap is down. The first step is to drill holes and inject shiitake spawn into the holes, then seal the holes with hot wax. After about a year, the shiitake grows inside the log until it's ready to break through the bark as mushrooms. To get the mushrooms to pop out, Williams said, "you 'shock' the log by soaking it in ice water for 24 hours. The log thinks it's the spring or fall rainy season and 'fruits'."

Lost Creek Mushroom Farm log kits will produce shiitakes every two months for four years or more, with increasingly larger yields as the log matures. "It's a gift that really does keep on giving," Williams said.

All kits include a log that's ready to fruit, instructions and recipes. Logs are guaranteed to produce. The original kits come with their own trays for soaking, "fruiting" and harvesting , in a 14-inch size for $38.50 and large 20-inch log for $48.50. Lost Creek has a 10" log for $27.50 and the Ma and Pa kit with two inch logs for a harvest every month for $47.50. Prices include shipping and handling.

More kits are available online at www.shiitakemushroomlog.com. To order by phone or to obtain a free brochure, call 1-800-792-0053.

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