Cap and Stem Northwest is a nonprofit organization focused on edible mushrooms, and the benefits they can bring to our total health and wellbeing. Cap & Stem, Mind & Body.
Our mission is to increase awareness and access to beneficial mushrooms; gourmet, medicinal, and psychedelic.
The Albany Mushroom Festival
You're Invited to the First Albany Mushroom Festival!
Join us for a magical day celebrating mushrooms, and all things fungus!
Date: September 22nd, 2024
Location: Timber Linn Park, Albany OR
Time: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Event Highlights:
Food: Enjoy mushroom-inspired dishes and treats.
Music: Live performances to set the vibe.
Activities: Games, workshops, and more!
Market: Discover unique mushroom products and goods.
Education: Workshops and educational material hosted by industry experts.
Admission: FREE!
Mushrooms Have Been Enjoyed by Humans for Thousands of Years
All around the world, humans have been foraging culinary and medicinal mushrooms. In addition to their prized flavor and nutrition properties, we have known for a long time that mushrooms have healing properties for the mind and body. While the science community has published hundreds of research articles showing the unique benefits of mushrooms, our western culture is slow to fully embrace a fungus-forward diet.
For thousands of years, humans have foraged for mushrooms in the wild. Skilled foragers knew when and where to look. They learned to identify different mushrooms in their local environment, and shared the bounty with their friends and family. Mushrooms today are still foraged throughout the world, they are also cultivated commercially, and can easily be grown at home. Their unique biology, strong medical benefits, and delicious flavor are just a few reasons why we should eat more mushrooms.
There are a handful of mushrooms that have long stood-out as the best for adding to our diets. This is based on flavor, nutrition, medicinal benefits, and availability. Below we have chosen 8 mushrooms that every person should know, we have included details about their benefits, and how to access them in the great northwest.
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Mushrooms offer a versatile culinary ingredient prized for their umami flavor, unique textures, and compatibility with various cooking methods. They add depth and richness to dishes like soups, stews, and stir-fries, while also serving as meat substitutes in vegetarian recipes. Mushrooms are low in calories but rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, providing both flavor and nutritional value to meals. Their diverse shapes, sizes, and colors allow for creative presentation, and they pair well with a wide range of ingredients, enhancing the complexity of flavors in dishes. Overall, mushrooms are valued in culinary applications for their versatility, umami taste, nutritional benefits, and ability to elevate the taste of diverse cuisines.
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Mushrooms can have important health benefits and exhibit a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, including antiallergic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antioxidative, antiviral, cytotoxic, immunomodulating, antidepressive, antihyperlipidemic, antidiabetic, digestive, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, nephroprotective, osteoprotective, and hypotensive activities.
Mushrooms have been shown to have immunomodulatory effects, meaning they can help regulate and enhance the immune system's response. Compounds found in certain mushrooms, such as beta-glucans, polysaccharides, and other bioactive molecules, stimulate the activity of immune cells like macrophages, T cells, B cells, and natural killer cells. These compounds can enhance the body's ability to defend against infections, viruses, and diseases by boosting immune function and promoting a balanced immune response.
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Many cultures around the world revere mushrooms as sacred beings. Bringing ‘immortality’ and spiritual guidance to those who consume. The Japanese word for Lion’s Mane is yamabushitake which means ‘mountain priest mushroom’.
They are routinely foraged, cultivated, celebrated and enjoyed by most people. They hold important meaning in a variety of rituals and traditions. The classic fly agaric mushroom is referenced in Super Mario, Alice in Wonderland, and countless additional pop culture media. The red and white coloring of the same mushroom may have even inspired the color design of modern Santa Claus.
Meet the Team
There are hundreds of species of edible mushrooms that are foraged and cultivated around the world. Below we have selected 8 mushrooms that have significant culinary and medicinal benefits AND are readily available in the northwest USA. Follow the links below to learn more about each mushroom, the history, benefits, and how you can find them!
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Psychedelic
Psilocybe cubensis
Psychedelic mushrooms have a rich history and are culturally significant around the world. Research shows psychedelic medicine has strong potential to help people suffering from trauma, anxiety, depression, addiction, and many other psychological issues. The state of Oregon was the first in the country to create a fully regulated market for psilocybin. Click below to learn more about this remarkable medicine and how you can legally access!
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Shiitake
Lentinula edodes
A popular mushroom that has been cultivated by humans since 1000AD. These mushrooms have amazing flavor, texture, nutrition, and have functional medicinal properties. Shiitake mushrooms that are arguably the best culinary mushroom that can be commercially cultivated. Click below to learn more about shiitakes benefits and where you can find them!
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Reishi
Ganoderma oregonense
Reishi mushrooms have been used by physicians and natueropaths in China for over 2000 years. Long revered as the ‘mushroom of immortality’, these mushrooms have an important role in natural medicine. Oregon is one of the best places in the world to find reishi in the wild. It is a bitter mushroom, and not known for its edibility, this mushroom is best enjoyed in a tea, capsule, or tincture form.
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Oyster
Pleurotus ostreatus
Oyster mushrooms are diverse gourmet mushrooms that come in many colors and some different flavors. They grow fast and strong, making them ideal for home and commercial cultivation. These mushrooms grow very well on many types of substrate and could have good potential in sustainable agriculture applications. Learn more about benefits, and how to grow your own below!
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Lion's Mane
Hericium erinaceus
Lion’s Mane is native to Europe and North America, this mushroom has long been studied and cultivated both for its flavor, and medicinal properties. Lion’s Mane has neuroprotective and neuroregenerative properties. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties and promotion of nerve growth, H. erinaceus shows great promise for the treatment of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Learn more about who can benfit most from Lions Mane, and how you can find them below!
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Chanterelle
Cantharellus formosus
The Pacific Golden Chanterelle is the official state mushroom of Oregon. While it cannot yet be reliably cultivated, it is one of the best mushrooms to forage in the wild. Chanterelles have a beautiful orange color, and have a sweet and delicate fragrance and flavor. Chanterelles are the perfect mushroom for amateur foragers, and are the only mushroom we promote that is only found in the wild. Click below to learn more about chanterelles and how you can forage for them responsibly.
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Turkey Tail
Trametes versicolor
The Turkey Tail is a common and well known mushroom found throughout the world. Of all the mushrooms used today for their medicinal qualities, more research has been performed on this species than any other. Derivatives of this mushroom are used by national health care in Japan in treatment of cancer patients. Clinical trials demonstrate improved quality of life after surgery as well as extended 5 to 10-year survival rates, especially for patients with breast, colorectal and stomach cancers. Learn more about Turkey Tail below.
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Shaggy Mane
Coprinus comatus
Mushrooms provide a myriad of benefits to humans and animals. We support the education and access to affordable beneficial mushroom supplements for dogs and cats, helping to maximize their health and immunity, giving them the highest quality of life possible. This is a dedication to Shaggy, a small boy with a big soul. We believe in the beauty of unconditional love, and the importance of nurturing our animal friends. Click below to learn more about how medicinal mushrooms can improve the lives of of our furry companions.
Mushrooms Help Us Heal and Grow
Make a Donation
Cap and Stem Northwest is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity organization (in-process). Our work is made possible by the kindness and generosity of people and organizations who believe in our mission. Together, we can increase awareness and access to beneficial mushroom, promoting heal and growth that can benefit us all. If you have any questions or comments about the donation process, please contact us below.