Mushroom Lore

Mushrooms have long been the subject of great fascination. In medieval Ireland, mushrooms were thought to be umbrellas for leprechauns. The English believed mushrooms should be gathered under a full moon to be edible. And the ancient Egyptians considered mushrooms the sons of gods, sent to earth riding on thunderbolts.

Puffballs, a kind of mushroom, were found in Stone Age settlements. Historical data indicates mushroom cultivation and consumption throughout the ancient Greek and Roman eras and Asian civilizations have been cultivating mushrooms (specifically the shiitake) for over 2,000 years.

However, it wasn't until the 17th-century in France that commercial mushroom growing began. The agaricus, or white mushroom, was the first variety to be cultivated. The original mushroom "farms" were, and still are, located in quarry tunnels near Paris - the reason why white mushrooms have long been called "Champignon de Paris" by French chefs.

Commercial mushroom farming in the U.S. began in Pennsylvania in the early 20th century. Today, cultivation has spread to more than 20 states but Pennsylvania remains the largest producer, with California a strong second.