Did you know that people with penicillin allergies generally cannot work at a mushroom farm? NO? You didn't! That is just one of the many fascinating facts about mushrooms that I didn't know before.
The reason people with penicillin allergies tend not to be able to work at mushroom farms is due to the sheer number of moulds that mushrooms are susceptible to. Green and cobweb mould are the most common types.
Hmm.. what else did we learn?
Mushrooms can carry a variety of diseases, so growing them in a sterilized environment keeps them clean. The farm we went to had a big fire a while back and since then moved away from wooden beds (which apparently are still quite common) to these metal beds we see here.
Hmm.. what else did we learn?
Mushrooms can carry a variety of diseases, so growing them in a sterilized environment keeps them clean. The farm we went to had a big fire a while back and since then moved away from wooden beds (which apparently are still quite common) to these metal beds we see here.
They were stacked I think about five high with about two feet clearance between each row. The higher ones are accessed with a lift (more on that later). Whitecrest only grows cremini and portabella mushrooms and these mushrooms can double their size in a 24 hour period. I got the impression that if you buy these types of mushrooms any where in southwestern Ontario they are most likely from Whitecrest, just sold and packaged differently depending on the needs of the marketer.
Three pickings are taken before the bed is retired. People often come on Monday mornings to pick up the leftovers as it makes a great bedding for gardens and what not. Each picker has a number and puts it with the bin that they pick. Not all bins are the same, depends on what the order is calling for.
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This section of the bed has been treated with salt. It kills the mould and gets rid of "wet spots". The picture beside is another illness mushrooms get, I just can't recall the particular name they used to describe it. They have to keep a strong handle on mould because if they don't it can quickly overwhelm a mushroom farm. That gets really expensive really quickly.
I happen to love mushrooms and made that fact clear to the presenters and they graciously allowed my son and I to sample their merchandise. Mmmm... Fresh picked creminis... YUM! We had a hard time restraining ourselves after we got permission to enjoy them. I thought it interesting how many of the moms along didn't like mushrooms and the noses wrinkled at me when I (and my lad) enjoyed them.
Did you know that if you leave a mushroom in the sun for five minutes you will get your daily dose of Vitamin D?
You can even run them under a UV light (at least I think that's the light they used) and they will get 300% Vitamin D which will carry over into the store until they are purchased? neat huh?
They are also investigating ways to make more use of mushrooms, from putting them into burgers, grinding them into a powder and adding them to breads, stews, soups, and other things. They are such an excellent source of vitamin D that it's a great way to add vitamin D into your food. And if you grind them up, seriously.. are you going to notice??
Did you know that if you leave a mushroom in the sun for five minutes you will get your daily dose of Vitamin D?
You can even run them under a UV light (at least I think that's the light they used) and they will get 300% Vitamin D which will carry over into the store until they are purchased? neat huh?
They are also investigating ways to make more use of mushrooms, from putting them into burgers, grinding them into a powder and adding them to breads, stews, soups, and other things. They are such an excellent source of vitamin D that it's a great way to add vitamin D into your food. And if you grind them up, seriously.. are you going to notice??
Above is the lift. Each of the children in our group was able to enjoy a life up and down the racks. My son tried hard to convince me to go on it but I'm not into heights and therefore declined the invitation.
Things my son remembers
1. It's not good to inject mushrooms with water
2. Whitecrest ships alot of it's mushrooms elsewhere to be used by other companies
3. mushrooms can pick up Salmonella from the ground
Things my son remembers
1. It's not good to inject mushrooms with water
2. Whitecrest ships alot of it's mushrooms elsewhere to be used by other companies
3. mushrooms can pick up Salmonella from the ground
We were taken through the various sections of the plant. From the growing rooms, to how they move the mushrooms from one part to another, the chilling room (if you change the temperature of a mushroom too quickly you will lose one week off it's life), to the packaging area. It was quite a fascinating tour. I have to admit, I hoped that they would send us each home with a package of mushrooms but it was not to be. :) It was a good field trip and if they do it again next year.. I'll happily attend (and munch on mushrooms again). You do know they have only 19 calories in one cup right?
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