Snow Mushroom: Snow mushroom is rich in many types of nutrients and hydrating properties, cultivation beneficial for farmers

Snow mushroom is also known as snow fungus, silver ear mushroom or white jelly mushroom. Snow mushroom is becoming famous all over the world for its many benefits. The snow mushroom species not only has a delicate, gelatinous texture and mild taste, but it also looks very beautiful. It is used as a medicine in many East Asian dishes and traditional medicine.

Talking about its properties, it contains many types of nutrients and hydrating properties. It is beneficial for your skin. That is why it is often also called “beauty mushroom”.

Snow mushrooms are found in tropical and subtropical climate. This is their native climate. Therefore, India becomes the best place for their cultivation. It is produced in the north-eastern hilly states of the country as well as in West Bengal, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and Odisha. Here they get ideal environmental conditions.

Snow Mushroom, or Tremella fusiformis, is an attractive and delicate fungus that looks very spectacular. Its texture is transparent, jelly-like and it forms groups of frilly, wavy lobes that often look like coral or flower petals. Snow mushrooms range in colour from white to pale yellow.

An easy guide to growing snow mushrooms (Tremella fusiformis)

1. Substrate preparation

Ingredients:

Wood sawdust (hardwood sawdust)

Rice or wheat bran

Gypsum (calcium sulfate)

Sugar

Water

Optional ingredients: Cotton husks, peanut shells or rice husks can also be used.

Moisture: The substrate should have about 65% moisture.

2. Preparation of Mother Culture

Two types of fungi are required:

1.Tremella fuciformis (snow mushroom)

2.Hypoxylon acheri (host fungus)

Procedure:

Step-1 First grow Tremella fuciformis on an agar plate.

Step-2 When it spreads up to 1 cm, add Hypoxylon acheri to the same plate.

Step-3 Keep the ratio of both fungi 1000:1 (Tremella : Hypoxylon).

Step-4 Keep it in an incubator at 25°C until the mixed fungus grows well.

3. Preparation of Spawn

Make spawn by mixing the mother fungus with the sawdust-bran mixture.

Keep it at 25°C until small primordia (early forms of mushroom) start appearing.

4. Fruiting

Place the spawn in a plastic bag or synthetic log.

Ideal conditions:

Temperature: 20-25°C

Humidity: 85-95 per cent

Light: Low, indirect light

Air: Good ventilation

In a few days, jelly-like transparent mushrooms will appear.

5. Harvesting

Pluck the mushrooms as soon as they reach full size (when they are firm and fresh). Delaying may reduce quality.

6. Additional tips

1.Hygiene: Disinfect all equipment and substrate.

2.Monitoring: Periodically check the growth and contamination of the fungus.

3.For higher yield: Try changing the substrate and temperature.

Benefits of Snow Mushroom

1.Nutrients: It is rich in amino acids, vitamins and minerals.

2.Antioxidants: It reduces oxidative stress.

3.Immunity Booster: It contains polysaccharides, which are good for health.