Frequently Asked Questions
Delicious Mushrooms
How do you grow your mushrooms?
We grow all our mushrooms from spore to flower at our Abu Dhabi base (the UAE’s only speciality fungi farm). So we’re in control of every step of their journey to you - and can promise them at the peak of their harvest-fresh goodness. Our circular, planet-first, science-led ethos guides everything we do. So our mushrooms grow chemical-free on a natural, sterile substrate made from local waste materials like date palm fronds, coffee grounds and wood. When ready, we hand-pick them and deliver them to your door. Or transform them into gourmet and adaptogenic products that give you their delicious and revitalising mushroomy essence.
Do I need to wash my fresh mushrooms?
No. Mushrooms never like being washed. And, with ours, you don’t need to. You won’t find any dirt or chemicals clinging to them. Because we grow them in a sterile environment with no pesticides or fertilisers. And they’ve had no exposure to risky elements during import from far-flung lands
Why are your fresh mushrooms sometimes out of stock?
Because of our natural, chemical-free ethos, we let our mushrooms take their own good time to grow. So occasionally some varieties might be unavailable - you can select to be notified the moment they’re in stock again. And, if there’s ever a short delay in your dispatch, we’ll be in touch to let you know.
How do I cook fresh mushrooms?
Like all mushrooms, a great starting point for cooking our local, specialty mushrooms is to sauté them with a little bit of oil, garlic, salt & pepper. Chop up the mushrooms or tear by hand if you prefer. Get the pan & oil really hot before adding in the mushrooms.
Top Tip: add any marinade or sauce afterwards leaves you with the best texture.
How are your Shiitake Chips made?
Below Farm Shiitake Chips are made with Shiitake mushrooms, vegetable oil, maltose, salt, spices. We get that extra crunchy deliciousness by using a vacuum fryer to cook them. The vacuum allows the chips to be cooked at lower temperatures and less oil to be needed for cooking vs regular frying.
I love your Shitake chips. Can I buy other mushrooms chips too?
For now, we just make Whole Shitake Chips. But watch this space. We’ll be bringing other irresistible chip varieties online by the end of 2024.
There is white fuzz on my mushrooms?! What is it?
If there is a white fuzz on the stem of the mushroom, it is is a natural occurrence, and safe to eat. It is the mycelium of the fungus - the root structure the mushroms, and how it grows.
If you are unsure, feel free to send us an email to info@belowfarm.ae and we are happy to check it.
Wellbeing Mushrooms
Mushroom powders vs mushroom extracts?
For powders, we just dry and pulverise our home-grown mushrooms. So you get the same nutrient-rich spectrum of vitamins, minerals, proteins, fibres and bioactive compounds as in the fresh fungi. Add a teaspoon to your smoothie, shake, or cooking.
For extracts, we macerate the powder and then draw out the mushroom’s bioactive essence. So you get a potent therapeutic serum, whose active compounds are concentrated, readily available and easy to absorb (but without the mushroom’s broader nutritional benefits). Add 1ml to your drink of choice or even directly into the mouth.
Why do you make all your powders and extracts from ‘100% fruiting body’?
Most nutrients and active ingredients are in the mushrooms’ above-ground fruiting body, not their underground mycelium web. So we take our Below Farm mushrooms and carefully seperate caps & stems from the the mycelium-packed growing substrate. Then we turn them into nutrient-rich powders and potent extracts to transform your health.
How should I use mushroom extracts?
Transform your well-being in two simple steps:
- Shake the bottle well.
- Add 1ml to your coffee, tea, smoothie, shake or water. Or squeeze the drops straight under your tongue.
Lion's Mane & Cordyceps are best taken in the morning. Reishi is best for the evening.
How should I use whole dried mushrooms?
Whole dried mushrooms like Turkey Tail, Chaga, Cordyceps and Reishi are best enjoyed brewed into a tea.
Add a small handful of mushrooms to 500ml of water and simmer for 10-20mins.
The same mushrooms can be brewed multiple times - store used mushrooms in a sealed container in the fridge between brewing.