Glossary: Gourmet Mushroom Cultivation
Master the technical vocabulary of mycology. From Agar to Sterility, every key term defined and linked to our expert guides.
Contents
Glossary: Gourmet Mushroom Cultivation
Mastering the craft of mycology requires more than just a green thumb; it requires a new vocabulary. This A-Z glossary defines the essential terms you’ll encounter in our guides, from the biology of the fungal lifecycle to the hardware of the sterile lab.
A
Agar A gelatinous nutrient medium used to isolate and expand mushroom genetics. Mastering agar is the “black belt” of mycology.
B
Biological Efficiency (BE) The ratio of fresh mushroom weight to the dry weight of the substrate used. 100% BE means 1lb of dry substrate produced 1lb of fresh mushrooms.
Bulk Substrate A larger volume of low-nutrient material (like CVG or Straw) that is colonized by grain spawn to produce large flushes.
C
CVG (Coir, Vermiculite, Gypsum) The industry-standard substrate recipe for indoor bulk cultivation. It is naturally resistant to contamination.
F
FAE (Fresh Air Exchange) The process of introducing oxygen while removing CO2 in a fruiting chamber. Critical for species like Oyster mushrooms.
Fruiting Body The visible part of the fungus (the “mushroom”) that is harvested for consumption. It is the reproductive organ of the mycelium.
G
Grain Spawn Sterilized grain (like rye or millet) that has been fully colonized by mycelium and is used to “seed” bulk substrate.
L
Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) A gourmet and medicinal mushroom known for its white, shaggy appearance and cognitive-boosting properties.
M
Monotub A self-contained bulk cultivation technique using a modified plastic bin to manage humidity and airflow.
Mycelium The vegetative part of a fungus, consisting of a network of white fungal threads (hyphae). It is the true “body” of the organism.
O
Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus) The most beginner-friendly mushroom genus, known for rapid growth and aggressive colonization of diverse substrates.
P
PF Tek A historical cultivation method using brown rice flour (BRF) cakes. Great for beginners but low in efficiency.
Pressure Cooker A critical piece of lab gear used to achieve 15 PSI (250°F) for total sterilization of grain and agar.
S
Still Air Box (SAB) A low-tech sterile environment used to perform inoculations and agar work without a laminar flow hood.
Substrate The nutrient medium that mushroom mycelium consumes to produce fruiting bodies.