There's mushroom for more taste
Mulches made from bay and eucalyptus leaves influenced the flavour and appearance of mushrooms grown on them, according to research from Argentina – but not necessarily in a bad way.
Little is known about how the smell, taste and texture of mushrooms are influenced by growing conditions and scientists set out to experiment with residues from bay and eucalyptus oil production and farming waste in the form of wheat straw.
The International Journal of Food Science & Technology reports that the mushrooms grown in the new mediums were browner and spongier and had more flavour than those grown in traditional ways, according to a panel of expert tasters. The bay leaf waste also produced an exceptional yield.