Before starting your own mushroom farm or incorporating mushrooms into your next culinary dish at your restaurant, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with all of the important mushrooms key terms. By learning about the characteristics of the wide variety of mushrooms available, it will be easier to decide which variety is best for your business.

If you plan on growing mushrooms, it is necessary to know which varieties can grow well in your environment, how to identify the edible ones from the poisonous ones and more. If you plan to use mushrooms as ingredients than learning about the taste and texture of the different mushrooms will help you choose the right one for your next culinary presentation. As you research mushroom key terms, be sure to do the following:

1. Gain knowledge about the variety of mushrooms available and remember which are edible.

2. Study the technical terminology that describes mushrooms.

3. Learn the terms associated with mushroom cultivation.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Identify different varieties of mushrooms and their features

Mushrooms come in all shapes and sizes. Though most of us are familiar with the short, white mushrooms used in cooking known as the button mushroom, gourmet mushrooms like portabella, enoki, shiitake and more are increasingly becoming popular. Learn which types are easy to grow and which applications they work best for.

I recommend: The Nibble is a comprehensive guide to the different varieties of mushrooms, their features and edibility. The images are useful in identifying mushrooms, especially poisonous ones. Green Nature categorizes the mushrooms by scientific names and provides in depth features of each. Rogers Mushrooms has an easy key which can help to identify different types of mushrooms.

Learn the technical terminology associated with mushrooms

Mushrooms come with a very technical set of terminology. It is easier to communicate with another mushroom business and mushroom producers when you have a grasp of the vocabulary.

I recommend: By studying the comprehensive guide at Michigan Morsel, you will become well versed with most of the technical terms which are used to describe mushroom parts. A great resource for mushrooms is the Chest of Books. It has an extensive glossary of terms related to mushrooms. University of Saskatchewan also has a great glossary related to mushrooms along with descriptive diagrams.

Study the terms related to starting your own mushroom farm

If you are considering starting your own mushroom business, learning the key terms related to the steps of mushroom growing will help you better understand the process of growing mushrooms. It will also help you interact with mushroom wholesalers, mushroom councils and other mushroom growers to gather more information to ensure a healthy and profitable mushroom farm. Commonly used terms in the mushrooms growing business are mushroom spores, mushroom kits, oak logs and spawns.

I recommend: Shroomery gives you detailed descriptions of all the terms involved in mushroom growing, such as strain selection, inoculation, spawn run and more. How, When and Why of Forest Farming also defines terms related to mushroom farming including, stacking and fruiting. You can also watch a video related to mushroom farming here.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  To further increase your knowledge about mushrooms key terms search for mushroom classes in your area. If you plan to start a mushroom farm, search for local mushroom cultivation workshops where you can learn all the terms related to mushroom farming.

Consumer interest in organic foods and the health benefits associated with mushrooms is rising. The market focuses on mushrooms as a natural food choice, gourmet specialty item and medicinal alternative. The most prevalent health benefits associated with mushrooms include building strength, lowering blood pressure and keeping your heart healthy. The culinary industry also has significantly improved the popularity of mushrooms. Many people love mushrooms for their taste, as a staple food source to accommodate dietary restrictions and for their nutritional value.

As an entrepreneur pursues the mushroom business, it’s crucial to find an experienced mushroom wholesalers and retailers who understand the supply chain and the specifics related to the fresh produce market. In addition, the selection of specific types of mushroom spores influences the amount of initial investment. It takes approximately 15 weeks to cultivate many types of mushroom spores into a product to sell to mushroom wholesalers. Growing oyster and shitake mushrooms in small quantities is an example of a low-risk selection for beginning a mushroom farm, a product line or starting as an organic mushroom merchant. However, certification is a requirement for organic mushroom growers. Consider the following:

1. Evaluate what other mushroom producers are growing for a profit.

2. Know the mushroom market, growing seasons, product investment and trends.

3. Seek out reputable mushroom wholesalers and experienced retailers for your business.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Research the mushroom business

Fill a need in the market. Know the different types of mushroom varieties that are available. Know what other mushroom producers are growing. Matsutakes and chanterelles are examples of mushrooms that have not been commercially cultivated.

I recommend: Choose from the list of available mushrooms at Mitobi Enterprises or visit the Earth's Tongue for a price list of the types of mushrooms that are available.

Market mushrooms to meet consumer-driven demographics

The farmer's market and local produce are becoming popular because of the trend toward natural food, health conscious consumers and cooks seeking mushrooms. Package your produce and sell it to a variety of small businesses or restaurants in your area.

I recommend: Visit Phillip Mushroom Farm to purchase a variety of traditional and gourmet mushrooms. Check out Mushroomize.com for services related to packaging and labeling, product leads and mushroom merchant materials.

Connect to the market through mushroom wholesalers

Wholesalers get mushrooms from mushroom growers and sell the mushrooms to retailers, businesses or other wholesalers. They buy the mushrooms in bulk and break them into smaller portions. It's crucial to locate mushroom wholesalers to connect to the market.

I recommend: Visit Mushroom Trade, a wholesaler that buys and trades mushrooms. Gourmet Mushroom offers mushrooms wholesale to a long a list of distributors.

Check health and safety guidelines for growing mushrooms

Research the regulations before you sell your mushrooms. Make sure you know the federal and local laws for growing produce.

I recommend: Search the Mushroom Council for a list of common forms you can use for mushroom handling and applying for organic exemption. Order the mushroom Primary Guideline CD for guidelines regarding hygiene and packaging safety for mushroom growers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Sell to more than one vendor in case the mushroom wholesaler or retailer goes out of business.

Mushrooms education and training helps you create a large crop of mushrooms. Starting a mushroom farm is often frustrating if you are not trained in growing, storing and preparing mushrooms. This education provides you with the information needed to start a booming mushroom farm. All mushrooms providers or mushrooms growers can benefit from mushrooms education and training.

A common misnomer is to treat the growth of a mushroom as you would any other vegetable. Mushrooms are fungi and must be bred and grown in specific conditions. Mushroom storage is also a critical part of a mushroom growers' education. Improper storage effects the taste of the mushroom. Preparation is also an issue that many restaurants face. The preparation of the mushroom depends on the recipe and the chef's ideas.

1. Understand how mushroom wholesale companies grow mushrooms.

2. Learn how to store mushrooms for your mushroom growing business.

3. View mushrooms preparation ideas for your company or restaurant.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn the best methods for growing mushrooms

Picking the right environment, soil and fertilizers completely changes a mushroom crop. All the right elements at the right time create plump, full mushrooms that taste delicious. One wrong element changes the way a crop both grows and tastes.

I recommend: Buzzle.com provides detailed information about growing mushrooms for mushroom companies. Read a guide for gourmet mushroom producers at Helium. Randall R. Wayne, Ph.D created a detailed guide for mushroom growers.

Learn how to store mushrooms for your mushroom growing business

Properly storing mushrooms is a vital part of a mushroom farm. Without proper storage the mushrooms become dry and discolored. Proper storage lengthens the mushroom's shelf life and allows your customers to receive the best possible product.

I recommend: The Mushroom Council supplies information about how to properly store mushrooms. EHow.com provides information about how to store mushrooms for wholesale mushrooms companies. Read storing instructions for all types of mushrooms at Quamut, a tool published by Barnes & Noble.

View mushrooms preparation ideas for your company or restaurant

The way a mushroom is prepared varies depending on the dish. Many recipes are available for cooking mushrooms. Most restaurants start with a general recipe and add their own flare to make it their own.

I recommend: EzineArticles.com provides articles about washing and preparing mushrooms. Visit Pioneerthinking.com for tips on cooking and preparing mushrooms. Find recipes for all types of mushrooms, including gourmet mushrooms, at Mushroomrecipes.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Most mushroom wholesalers grow mushrooms in large trays set on racks for optimum space saving.