The new buzz word is Hamakua, that is, Hamakua Mushrooms. Located in the Hamakua District (natch!) on the Big Island with an ocean view on the northeast side, this farm is adding another layer of richness to Hawaii with its dedication to organic practices and sustainable philosophy.
Currently, Hamakua offers 4 types of mushrooms:
- The Gray Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) is said to offer a very delicate flavor with a meaty texture. Grown in plastic bottles on a substrate mixture of grandis eucalyptus sawdust, wheat bran and corn cob, the mushrooms fruit in about 14 days. Normally, after two crops of mushrooms, the substrate is recycled as a composting type fertilizer.
- The Royal Trumpet or King Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii) is often prized for its high quality protein content. In addition, according to Hamakua’s website, it, this mushroom is valued for its protection against cancer and high cholesterol, and shows activity in the following areas: antitumor, immune response, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibiotic.
- The Abalone mushroom (Pleurotus cystidiosus) and/or (Pleurotus abalonus) is a variety of oyster mushroom and is thusly named for its resemblance to the abalone shellfish. It has a dense, meaty texture when cooked.
- The Pioppini mushroom (Agrocybe aegerita), frequently called the Black Poplar mushroom, is described as having a nutty flavor and a crunchy texture. It’s sought after for its nutritional benefits as well as its medicinal properties (anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory pain-killing). Hamaku praises its intense, earthly flavor as well as its creamy stems that are said to have a texture similar to asparagus.
Sadly, we've never been to Hamakua Mushrooms, but the messages that we've received from its visitors have all been very positive, including comments about the tours that are available at 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM, Monday thru Friday, $20/person.
Can't make it to Hawaii anytime soon? Then, consider ordering something from the online Store, which offers such treats as "Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies with Hamakua Mushrooms baked right in them" and "Purple sweet potato chips, dusted with salt and mushroom powder" - now, those are a couple of products that you might be hard pressed to find elsewhere!