Back To The Roots Mushroom Kit Review

For Mother’s Day this year, my brother-in-law and his wife got me an oyster mushroom kit by Back To The Roots. I had gotten one of these a years ago but the mushrooms dried and died, despite following the directions to a T, before they fully grew so I filed it away in the “Novel But Useless” area of my brain and didn’t think any more of it.

This time though, I decided since it was a gift, I’d give it another shot, if only to say I tried. I’m happy to report that it worked this time! (And I have the recipes to prove it.)

I did have to make some modifications though, the main one being laying it horizontal, poking deep holes (with chopsticks) and watering INTO the holes. It was kept on my kitchen counter next to the sink in indirect sunlight, although for about 20 minutes every day the sun passed through in a way where it does hit them.

If the picture I provided is any indication, I got about half a pound this first harvest which I made into a wonderful risotto (and eventually, arancini). Supposedly, you can get anywhere from 2 – 5 flushes from one kit, but I’m planning to use it with my duck straw compost to incorporate it into my edible landscape, especially since I’ve been getting more into fungi.

All in all, it was worth it, especially if you know a little bit about mycology and can tweak it so it works in your home’s micro-climate.

A culinary note: Oyster mushrooms smell a little sickly sweet when raw (maybe…fishy sweet?), but it’s absolutely delicious when cooked so don’t be put off by their uncooked scent.

Recipes with Oyster Mushrooms

Oyster Mushroom Risotto with Shaved Asparagus Salad
Mushroom Risotto Arancini