The Majesty of Mushrooms

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Last month, I promised you something unexpected — a moment that stopped me in my tracks and reminded me how wild, wise, and generous nature can be.

It happened on a quiet walk with my husband around the bottom end of our family farm, about twenty minutes outside Sedgefield, South Africa.

There, where the forest edges meet the earth in shadows and light, we stumbled upon something magical: a fallen log nestled beneath damp leaves, and growing beside it — a small patch of Bay Bolete mushrooms.

Their chestnut-brown caps and thick, pale yellow stems stood out gently against the forest floor, sturdy yet unassuming. I bent down, quietly thrilled.

These beautiful mushrooms grow in symbiosis with trees, often found in damp, mossy woodlands like ours — and yes, they’re edible when harvested young and firm, with a mild, nutty flavor that has earned them a place in kitchens across the world.

There’s something about the stillness of a forest that opens your eyes. As we crouched beside the patch, I found myself awestruck — not just by the beauty of these earthy treasures, but by what they represent.

Mushrooms like the Bay Bolete thrive quietly, tucked away, offering nourishment to those patient and present enough to notice.

It sparked something in me. A gentle reminder of how extraordinary the natural world really is. After all, mushrooms are more than just delicious — they’re rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

They may support heart health, fight inflammation, even protect the brain. Some varieties are prized for their immune-boosting and gut-nourishing properties — true superfoods, sprouting in silence.

That simple walk prompted us to do something we rarely resist anyway — we made our way to the Saturday farmers market.

Inspired and curious, we picked up a selection of beautiful mushrooms: meaty King Oysters, delicate Enoki, and rich, earthy Portobellos. Each one with its own personality and flavors, just waiting to be explored in our kitchen.

And explore we did. The very next day — a slow, golden Sunday — we lit a fire in the backyard and pulled out our Dutch oven.

Using the mushrooms we’d gathered, we made the most comforting mushroom potjie: slow-cooked with white wine, plenty of garlic, a splash of cream, and tossed in some gluten-free pasta at the end to soak up all the goodness.

The flavors were earthy and elegant, with just the right amount of smoke from the open flame — a true celebration of the weekend, and of nature’s quiet abundance.

That’s when the idea hit us: why not try growing our own?

Back at the farmhouse, we poured over articles, videos, and books, hungry to learn. And before the weekend was over, we had ordered two shipping containers — our soon-to-be mushroom growing labs.

So here we are: complete beginners in the world of fungi, but inspired by the forest’s quiet lesson. I’ll definitely keep you posted as we go — I have no doubt it will be a journey filled with learning, trial, error… and hopefully, delicious success.

If this story has your mouth watering, be sure to check out our Bloomcooking.com mushroom recipes — packed with earthy goodness, nourishing ingredients, and easy ideas to bring nature into your kitchen.

Thought for the day:
"In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks."
— John Muir