Chestnut Culture

A cousin of the slimy Nameko (Pholiota nameko) this wonderful clustering, wood loving mushroom forms dense clusters of beautiful, dark orange gilled mushrooms with a slightly shaggy cap, without the slime layer Namekos have. Since they prefer cooler temperatures these mushrooms typically take 2-3 weeks to mature once they start to fruit from baby primordia. An easy mushroom to grow, it can fruit two to three times several weeks apart. The entire mushroom is edible with the exception of the very bottom of the cluster where it attaches, which is a little tough. Pick these young for the most tender texture before they stop growing.