




Lion's Mane
Inventory, lb : 0
Food Buzz: History of Mushrooms |
Description/Taste
Lion’s Mane mushrooms are medium to large in size, averaging 10-25 centimeters in diameter, and are spherical and elongated with a single, hidden base. The tough, fibrous base is covered in soft, overlapping, slender spines that average 1-5 centimeters in length and dangle freely down towards the ground ending in pointed tips. Each of the spines, also known as teeth, release spores into the air promoting new growth on nearby trees. When the mushroom is young, the spines are bright white, but with age, the spines discolor to pale brown-yellow. Lion’s Mane mushrooms are tender and chewy with a mild, sweet, seafood flavor reminiscent of scallops, lobster, or crab.
Seasons/Availability
Lion’s Mane mushrooms are available in the late summer through fall.
Current Facts
Lion’s Mane mushrooms, botanically classified as Hericium erinaceus, are wild, edible mushrooms that belong to the Hericiaceae family. Also known as the Bearded Tooth fungus, Pom Pom mushroom, Yamabushitake, Comb Tooth, Shishigashida, Monkey Head mushroom, and the Bearded Hedgehog mushroom, Lion’s Mane mushrooms grow on freshly cut portions of living hardwood trees such as sycamore, walnut, American beech, oak, and birch. Belonging to the tooth fungus group, these mushrooms are somewhat rare to find in the wild as they tend to grow higher up on trees, but they are also cultivated on sawdust and logs for commercial markets. Lion’s Mane mushrooms grow all over the world and are used in many culinary applications as a meat substitute and are also used in Asia for its medicinal properties.
Nutritional Value
Lion’s Mane mushrooms contain zinc, potassium, calcium, and beta-glucan polysaccharides which can help protect the overall health of the human body.
Applications
Lion’s Mane mushrooms are best suited for cooked applications such as baking, frying, roasting, and sautéing. Their meaty texture is often used as a substitute for meat and can be served as a replacement for seafood, lamb, and pork. They are also commonly sautéed and served in pasta, stir-fries, soups, surf and turf, burgers, and salads. This mild mushroom easily picks up the flavors of the accompanying ingredients and can be a part of both side and main dishes. When prepping, the mushroom should be thoroughly washed or brushed clean and then squeezed out like a sponge to remove excess water. The mushroom is very absorbent and too much water will ruin the flavor and texture of the dish. Lion’s Mane mushrooms pair well with apples, ginger, garlic, shallots, onions, butter, chiles, paprika, thyme, parsley, rosemary, sage, saffron, white pepper, kohlrabi, spinach, leeks, lemon, carrots, potatoes, pine nuts, meats such as beef and poultry, cashews, dry white wine, pesto, and chicken stock. They will keep for a couple of days when stored in a paper bag in the refrigerator. They can also be cooked and then frozen for a couple of months.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Lion’s Mane mushrooms have been used for centuries in traditional Eastern medicine and are believed to provide many benefits to the body, though no extensive research has been done to prove these beliefs. In China and Japan, the Lion's Mane mushroom is used in supplement form or consumed fresh to help improve the memory, reduce anxiety, fight inflammation, and to boost the immune system. These mushrooms are also applied to wounds on the skin to help speed up the healing process. In addition to fresh form, Lion’s Mane mushrooms can be dried and sometimes combined with Lingzhi mushrooms to make a tonic for gastric ulcers and for treating poor digestion.
Geography/History
Lion’s Mane mushrooms have been growing wild in temperate climates for several hundred years in Europe, in North America, especially in the southeast, and also in Asia, specifically Japan, China, and Korea. Today Lion’s Mane mushrooms are available in fresh form at farmers markets and specialty grocers and in dried or capsule form at natural medicine stores and online retailers in North America, Asia, and Europe.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Lion's Mane. One

Recently Shared
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Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
![]() About 4 days ago, 3/18/23 Sharer's comments : At Rodney Kawano Farms ![]() About 18 days ago, 3/04/23 ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock Street San Diego, CA 92109 619-295-3172 About 33 days ago, 2/17/23 Sharer's comments : Lion's Mane Mushrooms From Mindful Mushrooms ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 73 days ago, 1/08/23 Sharer's comments : Lions Mane Mushrooms ![]() About 88 days ago, 12/24/22 Sharer's comments : at Rodney Kawano Farms ![]() ![]()
Angel Hills Farms
Near Poway, California, United StatesBoulevard San Diego County, CA About 116 days ago, 11/26/22 ![]() ![]()
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Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesSanta Barbara, CA About 140 days ago, 11/02/22 ![]() ![]()
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Near San Diego, California, United StatesSan Diego, CA About 144 days ago, 10/29/22 ![]() ![]()
Golden State Papayas
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesSanta Barbara, CA About 175 days ago, 9/28/22 ![]() ![]()
Golden State Papayas
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesSanta Barbara, CA About 196 days ago, 9/07/22 ![]() ![]()
Golden State Papayas
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesSanta Barbara, CA About 210 days ago, 8/24/22 ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suite 150 San Diego CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 212 days ago, 8/22/22 Sharer's comments : Lions Mane Mushrooms ![]() ![]()
Mindful Mushrooms
Near San Diego, California, United StatesSan Diego, CA About 283 days ago, 6/12/22 ![]() ![]()
Mindful Mushrooms
Near San Diego, California, United StatesSan Diego, CA About 298 days ago, 5/28/22 ![]() ![]()
Golden State Papayas
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesSanta Barbara, CA About 315 days ago, 5/11/22 ![]() ![]()
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United States1929 Hancock St Suit 150, San Diego, CA 92110 619-295-3172 https://specialtyproduce.com About 316 days ago, 5/10/22 Sharer's comments : Lion's Mane Mushrooms from Golden State Papayas ![]() ![]()
Angel Hills Farms
Near Encinitas, California, United StatesBoulevard San Diego County, CA About 325 days ago, 5/01/22 ![]() ![]()
Central Market Gourmet Market Located Westgate Shopping Centet
Near Austin, Texas, United States4477 S Lamar Blvd Austin TX 78745 512-899-4300 https://centralmarket.com About 336 days ago, 4/20/22 ![]() ![]()
Golden State Papayas
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesSanta Barbara, CA About 343 days ago, 4/13/22 ![]() ![]()
Golden State Papayas
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesSanta Barbara, CA About 350 days ago, 4/06/22 ![]() ![]()
Rodney Kawano Farms
Near La Jolla, California, United StatesOceanside, CA About 360 days ago, 3/27/22 ![]() ![]()
Central Market
Near Austin, Texas, United StatesAustin, Texas About 373 days ago, 3/14/22 ![]() ![]()
Rodney Kawano Farms
Near San Diego, California, United StatesOceanside, CA About 389 days ago, 2/26/22 ![]() ![]()
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Near Fairbanks Ranch, California, United StatesEscondido, CA About 402 days ago, 2/13/22 ![]() ![]()
Golden State Papayas
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesSanta Barbara, CA About 448 days ago, 12/29/21 ![]() ![]()
Rodney Farms
Near San Diego, California, United StatesSan Diego County 760-815-9434 About 451 days ago, 12/26/21 ![]() ![]() About 458 days ago, 12/19/21 Sharer's comments : They even have tinctures! ![]() ![]()
Rodney Kawano Farms
Near San Diego, California, United StatesOceanside, CA About 466 days ago, 12/11/21 ![]() ![]()
Yellow Green Farmers Market
Near Hollywood, Florida, United States3080 Sheridan Street Hollywood FL 33021 954-513-3990 About 487 days ago, 11/20/21 ![]() ![]() About 521 days ago, 10/17/21 Sharer's comments : Look at these beautiful Lion's Mane heads … and so many healing medicinal tincture options! ![]() ![]()
Mindful Mushrooms
Near San Diego, California, United StatesSan Diego, CA About 536 days ago, 10/02/21 ![]() ![]() About 591 days ago, 8/08/21 ![]() ![]()
Mountain Meadow Mushrooms
Near Dana Point, California, United StatesEscondido, CA About 641 days ago, 6/19/21 Sharer's comments : Lion's mane, trumpet, oyster - I love this mixed mushroom basket!! |