Interesting Facts

First Cultivation

France was the first to cultivate mushrooms on a commercial basis in the late 19th century.

Mushrooms down under

Since the beginning of recorded history, over 4,500 years ago, mushrooms were an important staple in the diets of aborigines.

Largest market

The market for mushrooms in the UK is the largest market in Europe at £320M.

Species

There are 2,000 different species of mushrooms eaten throughout the world, but the most common variety cultivated is the white button.

Pharaohs and Emperors

Mushrooms were also very popular in the civilizations of China, Egypt and Greece. Egyptian pharaohs and Roman emperors actually went so far as to forbid commoners from eating mushrooms; strictly reserving them for nobility only.

Meat for vegetarians

Mushrooms have been called the "vegetarians' beefsteak" because no other vegetable comes closer to the taste end texture of meat

Roman times

Romans, convinced of their strengthening powers, fed mushrooms to their soldiers to prepare them for battle.

Louis XIII

France's King Louis Xlll loved mushrooms so much he arranged for 2,400 kilometres (500 miles) of earth-covered compost beds to be created in caves outside of Paris.

Edible Mushrooms

There are 38,000 kinds of mushrooms in the world, three quarters of which are edible. However, no more than 2,000 kinds are actually) palatable

Wild Mushrooms

ln ancient China, Egypt and Greece "wild mushrooms" were believed to have magical healing powers.