September is National Mushroom Month

September is National Mushroom Month. What do we really know about mushrooms?

Facts about mushrooms- folklore

Ancient Egyptians believed that mushrooms were the plant of immortality. The flavors intrigued pharaohs so much that mushrooms were decreed food befit for royalty. Commoners were not allowed to touch them. Rituals were initiated and not just in Egypt. Mushroom ceremonies took place in Russia, China, Greece, Mexico, and Latin America. Mushrooms were believed to contain powers that enabled one to have super human strength (and yet, no comic book was ever written!), to become a finder of lost things, and to guide one's soul to the gods.

Facts about mushrooms- cultivation

Did you know that France was the leader in cultivating mushrooms? Louis XIV, according to some, was the first mushroom grower. They were grown in caves near Paris. Caves set aside for just this purpose. France showed England what a simple crop mushrooms were, with little labor needed. England then began to cultivate mushrooms, bringing about even more popularity to the act of mushroom production. In the late 19th century, the United States began its own mushroom production. However, with the need to rely on spawns from England, production did not reach the status quo because by the time a spawn reached the United States its quality was not good.

Minnesota is home to Louis F. Lambert, the first American to cultivate mushrooms here in the United States. By 1914, mushrooms were big business in the United States. Easy to grow and cheap to buy. By 1924, 85% of all mushrooms were grown in Pennsylvania.

Facts about mushrooms- publicity

The American Mushroom Institute (there is TOO one!) came to be by the Chester County Pennsylvania mushroom growers. It was rather unfortunate that the first planned meeting was December 4, 1941. With the attack on Pearl Harbor, this new organization was placed on the back burner. It legally incorporated into a non-profit organization on January 14, 1955. The goal of the AMI was to promote the consumption of all cultivated mushrooms by "getting the word out."
In 1985, the National Mushroom Growers Association was established in Illinois. Its goal was to promote the sale of fresh mushrooms on a national basis.
In 1990, Congress passed the Mushroom Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act. The goal- to strengthen the mushroom's industry position in the marketplace. In 1993, the Mushroom Council was established to help this goal reach its fruition. Its goal has been surpassed. Mushrooms are produced in most states. Pennsylvania is in the lead in mushroom production. In 2006/2007, 827 million pounds of mushrooms have been produced and sold.
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Facts about mushrooms- varieties

There are nine varieties of mushrooms- the white button, crimini, portabella, maitake, shiitake, enoki, oyster, beech, and wild. The white button is the most popular and widely grown here in the United States. It is understood, please; do not eat any from the wild variety unless you are with an expert.

Therefore, this month when ordering that pizza, do not say hold the mushrooms. Ask what kind they have and be daring. After all, these little fungi have made it all the way from caves near Paris to being an 827 million pound commodity. In addition, mushrooms are little and light. Imagine the mass of mushrooms grown here each year. Celebrate them! I am actually going to eat some this month!
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