Mushrooms are appreciated in Kenya for their nutritional value and medicinal properties. But you should not be fooled into thinking that every mushroom is edible. Some mushrooms are edible, while others are poisonous, and you need to differentiate between the two. So which types of mushrooms are edible in Kenya?
Mushroom farming is one of the most lucrative agribusiness ventures in Kenya. The demand for this tasty and nutritious fungus is very high, and the current supply is far from meeting the demand. But you need to grow edible mushrooms to profit from the venture. So how many types of edible mushrooms are there?
Types of mushrooms that are edible in Kenya
From flat cap mushrooms to long-stemmed mushroom types, the list of edible mushrooms you can find in the country is long. Here are the edible mushroom names list and pictures.
1. Button
The button is one of the most popular types of mushrooms in Kenya. If you are contemplating venturing into the mushroom export business, this is the go-to option. It has the highest demand, and you will readily find a market for the produce.
The button mushroom only takes two months to mature. But, most farmers do not cultivate the button mushroom because of its complicated growing process and its susceptibility to diseases. The production of this mushroom requires high-input technology.
2. Oyster
This is one of the most popular mushroom varieties in Kenya. It is the easiest type of mushroom to cultivate in the country because it grows in a wide range of temperatures. Most small-scale farmers prefer to grow oyster mushrooms because they require simple production techniques. They prefer oyster mushrooms because they are disease resistant.
3. Portobello (brown) mushroom
The list of mushroom types in Kenya cannot be complete without mentioning the common brown cup mushroom. The Portobello mushrooms have brown caps, which can grow as big as 6 inches. They are usually harvested after three or four weeks. The Portobello mushroom has a slightly more pronounced flavour and can be used as an alternative to meat.
4. Termitomyces
Termitocytes are one of the most loved indigenous mushrooms in the country. These edible kienyeji mushrooms are not normally cultivated. The flat-cap mushrooms grow in clusters on or near termite mounds. Research is currently ongoing on how to cultivate them.
5. Shiitake
Shiitake is another popular edible mushroom in Kenya. These mushrooms are tan or dark brown in colour. The caps grow between 2 and 4 inches. The mushrooms are also not cultivated. They grow naturally on decaying hardwood trees. The Shiitake mushroom is loaded with numerous health benefits, such as boosting immunity.
Types of mushrooms - Final word
The above are the different types of mushrooms that are edible in Kenya. You should not think twice about venturing into mushroom farming because there is a huge ready market for the produce in Kenya and abroad.
Tuko.co.ke published an article about mushroom farming in Kenya. Mushroom farming is one of the most successful agribusinesses not only in Kenya but also across the world. At first, it may seem that mushroom farming in Kenya is a difficult and tiresome agribusiness. However, if you dive into the specificity of mushroom growing, you will be able to see that there are many benefits.
Kenya produces approximately 500 tonnes of mushrooms annually, but the demand is estimated at 1200 tonnes. It has to import about 700 tonnes of mushrooms from other countries to sustain the market demand. This means that there will always be demand from mushroom buyers in Kenya. Read this post to learn more about mushroom farming.
