Lion's Mane Mushrooms Delivery or Pickup

When you're looking for a meat alternative to add to stir-fries, for meat-free burgers, or to add to salads, consider the Lion's Mane mushroom. These unusual-looking edible mushrooms are commonly referred to as Hedgehog or Monkey's Head mushrooms, and they grow on hardwood trees throughout North America, Northern Europe, and the northern parts of Asia. The Lion's Mane mushroom has long spine-like growths that dangle or drape just like a lion's mane might.

Lion's Mane mushrooms belong to the Hericiaceae family and are in the Hericium Erinaceus genus of the toothed fungus varieties. The mushrooms can get pretty large, about 5 inches in diameter, with a spherical shape and an elongated stem. The spines can grow as long as 2 inches.

The spines, or teeth, come to a pointed end and release fungal spores into the air, where they attach to dead trees and begin to grow new mushrooms. When the Lion's Mane mushroom is young, the spines and body of the fungus are white and bright. When the Lion's Mane mushrooms mature, they begin to turn brown.

Some people describe the flavor profile of Lion's Mane mushrooms as being similar to shellfish, such as crab or lobster. The texture is slightly chewy, and Lion's Mane mushrooms have a sweet flavor. Most Lion's Mane mushrooms grow in the wild, while select cultivators grow them on sawdust or pre-cut logs in the right environment to sell in specialty stores or at the farmers market.

When you're choosing Lion's Mane mushrooms, look for ones with white spines and a white body. If you notice discoloration or browning on the mushrooms, they‘re beyond their prime and won't taste as sweet as young Lion's Mane mushrooms. They also won't keep as long in the refrigerator as young mushrooms. Lion's Mane mushrooms should have a fluffy appearance, be bruise-free, and have a slight earthy smell to them. It's okay to have a little bit of dirt attached to the Lion's Mane mushrooms but avoid ones that have bruises or look mushy.

When you receive your fresh Lion's Mane mushrooms, keep them dry and store them in a perforated bag or paper bag so they can breathe. Put them in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator where they'll keep for about a week.

When you're ready to use the mushrooms, wipe the dirt off them and cut the bottom of the woody base off. Avoid getting them wet as they absorb water easily. Once they absorb water, they tend to lose some of their flavor and texture. You can also dehydrate Lion's Mane mushrooms for future use. Some stores will sell them already dried, or you can dry them yourself in a dehydrator. When you want to cook with them, simply rehydrate them and use them like you would fresh Lion's Mane mushrooms.

Enjoy the convenience of having tasty Lion's Mane mushrooms delivered to you when you order the mushrooms via Instacart. Once you place your order, an Instacart shopper will pick out fresh Lion's Mane mushrooms and deliver them to you!