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Prepare to go on a culinary adventure on April 16 as we celebrate the delicious and versatile ingredient of mushrooms on Day of the Mushroom! Did you know that mushrooms have been used for their medicinal properties for thousands of years? They are also a great source of essential nutrients and can add depth of flavor to any dish. From button to shiitake to portobello, there is no shortage of variety when it comes to these fungi. So let's take a moment to appreciate all that this humble yet powerful ingredient has to offer – both in taste and in health benefits.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1650s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Mushroom Cultivation Begins</div><div class='timeline-text'>Mushroom cultivation is believed to have started in France during the 1650s when gardeners discovered they could grow them in composted horse manure.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1700s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Cultivation Spreads to Europe</div><div class='timeline-text'>The cultivation of mushrooms spread across Europe during the 1700s with the farmers growing them in cellars and caves.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1871</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Cultivation Starts in America</div><div class='timeline-text'>Mushroom farming was first introduced in the United States in 1871 in Pennsylvania, where it quickly gained popularity.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1926</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Shiitake Farming Innovation</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first log cultivation of Shiitake mushrooms was innovated by Japanese farmers, a method that remains popular today for organic production.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1980s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Exotic Mushroom Popularity</div><div class='timeline-text'>During the 1980s, with the rise of gourmet cooking, the popularity and availability of various exotic mushroom types increased.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2002</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Institution of Day of the Mushroom</div><div class='timeline-text'>The American Mushroom Institute instituted the "Day of the Mushroom" to celebrate and promote the benefits and culinary uses of mushrooms.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Go mushroom picking</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take a nature walk and go mushroom picking! This is a great way to celebrate the Day of the Mushroom and you might even find some delicious edible mushrooms to cook with.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Cook a mushroom feast</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Challenge yourself to cook a variety of dishes that feature mushrooms as the main ingredient. From mushroom risotto to stuffed mushrooms, your taste buds will thank you for celebrating the Day of the Mushroom in such a delicious way.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a mushroom themed party</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite friends over for a mushroom themed party! Decorate with mushrooms, serve mushroom appetizers and cocktails, and maybe even have a mushroom hunt or trivia game.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit a mushroom farm</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take a day trip to a local mushroom farm and learn about how mushrooms are grown and harvested. This is a unique way to celebrate the Day of the Mushroom and gain some knowledge about this versatile ingredient.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create mushroom art</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Get creative and make some mushroom art! From painting to sculpting, let your imagination run wild and express your love for mushrooms through art.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Mushrooms add unique and delicious flavors to dishes</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Mushrooms come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and flavors. They can add a earthy, savory taste to dishes like pastas, pizzas, and soups. Plus, they are versatile enough to be used as the main ingredient or simply as a topping.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Mushrooms have many health benefits</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Not only do mushrooms taste great, they also have numerous health benefits. They are low in calories and fat, high in protein and fiber, and packed with important vitamins and minerals. Adding mushrooms to your diet can improve cardiovascular health, boost immunity, and regulate blood sugar levels.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Mushrooms are sustainable and environmentally friendly</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Mushrooms require less water and energy to grow than other crops, making them a more sustainable food choice. They also have the ability to act as natural pesticides, reducing the need for harmful chemicals. By choosing mushrooms, you are making a positive impact on the environment and supporting sustainable farming practices.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Mushrooms are More Similar to Humans than Plants</h3><p class='facts-content'>Scientifically, mushrooms fall into the fungi kingdom, which interestingly shares more DNA with animals than with plants. This genetic similarity may explain why many find mushrooms nutritionally beneficial.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Mushrooms Can Live in Extreme Environments</h3><p class='facts-content'>Mushrooms have been found living in some of the world’s harshest environments, including deserts and areas exposed to radiation. This goes to show their adaptability and resilience.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Some Mushrooms Glow in the Dark</h3><p class='facts-content'>Certain types of mushrooms are bioluminescent and can produce light in the dark. The phenomenon is known as 'foxfire' and has been used as a natural light source for centuries.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Largest Organism on Earth is a Mushroom</h3><p class='facts-content'>In Oregon’s Blue Mountains, there exists a honey fungus that spans about 2.4 miles, making it the largest living organism on Earth. For comparison, that’s equivalent to 4,166 feet or 36 New York City blocks!</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Mushrooms are Used in Bio-remediation</h3><p class='facts-content'>Some mushrooms have the remarkable ability to break down pollutants and chemicals, making them useful in bio-remediation efforts to clean polluted areas.</p></div></div>
Day of the Mushroom is celebrated on April 16 every year. In 2024 Day of the Mushroom will occur on a Tuesday.
2023
Apr 16
Sunday
2024
Apr 16
Tuesday
2025
Apr 16
Wednesday
2026
Apr 16
Thursday
2027
Apr 16
Friday
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