Back to the Roots Mushroom Kit Review and Grow Tips

We recently tried the Back to the Roots organic mushroom grow kit for oyster mushrooms and it was pretty neat! Read on for our Back to the Roots Mushroom Grow Kit review and a few tips on getting the most out of your mushroom growing experience.

Click here to find Back to the Roots Mushroom Grow Kit on Amazon

Back to the Roots Mushroom Kit Review

This Back to the Roots oyster mushroom kit is quite easy to use, so don’t be intimidated! It comes with everything you need to get growing.

Start by removing the block inside the box and then cut out the dotted lines where your mushrooms will be growing.

Next, you’ll cut an X in the plastic wrapped around the block and rough up the surface a little bit to activate it.

Then you’ll soak it face down in water for 6+ hours. I forgot about ours and left it overnight and it was fine. Next you put the block back into the box and wait for your mushrooms to grow! I sat ours next to a window, so it had some light.

Give it a Few Days to Sprout

It comes with a little spray bottle, and I sprayed ours a few times daily. At first, I didn’t think it was going to work, but in a few days all of a sudden, I had mushrooms!

After they first appear, they grow quite quickly! It seemed like every time I looked, they were bigger. I had ours in a window where they got a good amount of light.

They got pretty big in just a few days, and after researching when it was the right time to pick them, I twisted them off and collected the mushrooms.

Mushroom Kits are Safe to Use Indoors!

I was excited and shared them on Facebook, where somebody commented that I needed to be careful growing them inside and that the spores could go airborne and start growing on any wood in my house.

Several experienced mushroom growers popped in to say that’s not how it works, and I don’t need to worry about that. So don’t worry, all the mushrooms stay neatly confined to the Back to the Roots mushroom growing box.

As far as the Back to the Roots Mushroom Grow Kit review- highly recommended! I got ours on Amazon for $15. It was easy to use and very neat to watch the mushrooms grow.

Click here to find Back to the Roots Mushroom Grow Kit on Amazon

I made a lemon garlic pasta with our mushrooms, and it was delicious. Check out my photo of dinner below and get the whole recipe here: Mushroom and Spinach Pasta with Lemon and Garlic recipe

One last note about the kit- it suggests trying to grow mushrooms on the other side of the block. I flipped it over, cut the X, and let it soak. But this time I only let it soak six hours and took it out. I think letting it soak longer might be the secret because it didn’t work for the second try. I kept spraying it for about a week before giving up.

All About Oyster Mushrooms

Oyster mushrooms are a popular type of edible fungi known for their delicate texture and mild, savory flavor. Scientifically classified as Pleurotus ostreatus, these mushrooms are named for their oyster-shaped caps, which can range in color from white to gray or brown. Oyster mushrooms are widely cultivated worldwide and are favored for their culinary versatility and health benefits.

Appearance and Varieties

Oyster mushrooms typically have a broad, fan-shaped cap that can grow up to 10 inches in diameter. The gills on the underside of the cap run down a short, often non-existent stem. Depending on the variety, the caps can be smooth or slightly velvety, and they might have a slight wavy edge.

There are several varieties of oyster mushrooms, including:

• Pearl Oyster: The most common type, with a white to gray color.
• Golden Oyster: Bright yellow and more delicate in texture.
• Pink Oyster: Vivid pink when fresh but turns gray when cooked.
• Blue Oyster: Pale blue when young, turning grayish as it matures.

Nutritional Benefits

Oyster mushrooms are not only delicious but also packed with nutrients. They are low in calories and fat, making them a great addition to any diet. They provide a good source of protein, dietary fiber, and various vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins, vitamin D, iron, zinc, and potassium. Additionally, oyster mushrooms contain antioxidants and compounds like beta-glucans, which may support immune health.

Culinary Uses

Oyster mushrooms have a subtle, slightly sweet flavor with a hint of anise. Their tender yet meaty texture makes them ideal for various cooking methods, such as sautéing, grilling, roasting, and stir-frying. They are commonly used in soups, stews, pasta dishes, and as a meat substitute in vegetarian recipes.

These mushrooms absorb flavors well, making them a versatile ingredient in both simple and complex dishes. They pair nicely with garlic, thyme, soy sauce, and other umami-rich ingredients.

Growing and Harvesting

Oyster mushrooms are one of the easiest mushrooms to cultivate, often grown on substrates like straw, wood, or even coffee grounds. They grow in clusters and can be harvested within a few weeks under the right conditions. They thrive in environments with high humidity and cool temperatures, making them suitable for indoor and outdoor cultivation.

Health and Environmental Benefits

Oyster mushrooms are known for their potential health benefits, including boosting the immune system, reducing cholesterol levels, and exhibiting anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, they have been studied for their potential to break down environmental pollutants and their role in sustainable agriculture.

Overall, oyster mushrooms are a nutritious and versatile ingredient that can enhance the flavor and health benefits of various dishes. Their ease of cultivation and potential environmental benefits make them an excellent choice for both home cooks and professional chefs.