Easier than I ever expected
I’ll admit it: growing mushrooms at home sounded way more complicated than it actually is. When I picked up a Boomr Bin from North Spore (not sponsored), I half-expected a fussy science project. What I got instead was one of the easiest—and most satisfying—things I’ve grown.
Chestnut mushrooms are a great place to start. The setup is straightforward, the maintenance is minimal, and once things get going, the daily progress is genuinely fun to watch. You go from “Did I do this right?” to “Oh wow, those weren’t there yesterday” in no time.
The Boomr Bin system does most of the work for you. The substrate comes pre-inoculated, so there’s no mixing, sterilizing, or guesswork. All you really need to do is keep the environment humid, give the mushrooms fresh air, and resist the urge to mess with them too much. It’s a rare kitchen project where patience is actually rewarded by doing less. I used this fruiting block from North Spore.
What surprised me most was how quickly chestnut mushrooms develop once they decide it’s time. Tiny pins turn into clusters almost overnight, and within a few days, you’re harvesting mushrooms that look like they came straight from a farmers’ market. It’s a great reminder that food doesn’t have to travel far—or come from a plastic container—to feel special.
If you’re curious about what makes chestnut mushrooms unique, they’re also known as Pholiota adiposa and are prized for their firm texture and slightly nutty, earthy flavor. They hold up beautifully in soups, sautés, and sauces, which is probably why I keep finding excuses to cook with them. I’ve created a few recipes where these awesome-looking mushrooms shine.
A few fun chestnut mushroom facts:
- They’re nicknamed “cinnamon caps” because of their warm brown color.
- Unlike delicate mushrooms, they keep their texture even after cooking.
- They’re commonly grown on hardwood substrates, which helps explain their deep, savory flavor.
- Freshly harvested chestnut mushrooms have a noticeably cleaner taste than store-bought ones.
Beyond the food, there’s something grounding about growing mushrooms at home. It’s low effort, a little magical, and oddly calming to check on each day. If you’ve ever wanted to try growing something edible without committing to a full garden, chestnut mushrooms in a Boomr Bin are a great place to start.
You’ll likely have too many mushroom is you start growing them, not a bad problem to have… You can always dry them. Check out my How to Dry Mushrooms post.
And when you end up cooking with mushrooms you grew yourself? That’s a small win worth savoring.
