Segment: Swan Valley Mushrooms
Episode: S3E2
Presenter: Peter Manifis
Air Date: 17th November 2019

Mushrooms are packed with fantastic health properties, and there are a number of exotic varieties that can bring interesting textures, colours and flavours to your table.

• Located in the heart of Gidgegannup, Swan Valley Mushrooms are growing 9 different varieties of mushroom – depending on the season, with some preffering the warmer weather.
• King Mushrooms are quite fleshy and meaty. They are quite similar to scallops - you can chop the stem into thin chunks.
• The mushrooms are grown in a cool, damp environment, with a little bit of light. While white mushrooms tend to grow in the dark, for other mushrooms light can be a trigger, with more light meaning more colour.
• David Proudmore has been growing mushrooms for around 15 years. He and a friend started growing mushrooms in 2 cells of the Fremantle Prison, before renting a place in Swan Valley, and eventually settling in their current location.
• Some mushrooms, such as king and oyster, grow well on barley or wheat straw waste, and take about a month to grow. Some, like shiitakes, only grow on wood, taking about 3-4 months to grow.
• Swan Valley Mushrooms sell grow packs for you to take home – it can be really exciting watching the mushrooms double in size each day.
• Reishi mushrooms can be boiled in a tea. It helps to aid ailments, with the Chinese having used it for around 5000 years.
• Lionsmane mushrooms are a relatively new cultivated mushroom. It is being tested in the US as a potential Alzheimer’s treatment – it has been proven to regrow damaged nerve endings in the brain.
• Mushrooms are packed with beneficial nutrients, such as Vitamin B and B12, and are low in carbs, salt and fat.
• You can pick up Swan Valley Gourmet Fungi at Manning, Kalamunda and Mt Claremont farmers markets.