Organic Black Pearl Cultivation Block BIO

The variety

• Variety: Black Pearl, Black Pearls, Black Kings, Shimofuri Hiratake
  

A sort of UFO in mushroom cultivation, this variety appeared a few years ago and was quite popular in North America. It comes from a cross between a European variety and a Japanese variety. Black pearls offer a good compromise between eryngiis and oyster mushrooms.

They have a wider base than oyster mushrooms, and less dense than that of eryngiis. The caps are rounded like eryngiis, with a color ranging from light brown to dark brown tabby depending on maturity and growing conditions. They grow in clusters and are easier to grow than eryngiis.

Variety considered to be part of the Pleurotus ostreatus family. Good flavor, reminiscent of oyster mushrooms with a more pronounced umami note. Good productivity

Product Details

• Weight: approximately 5.2 kg
• Dimensions: 25 x 20 x 20 cm (L*W*H)
• Ingredients: Wood chips, grain, Black Pearl mycelium

All our culture blocks are certified organic "BE-BIO-01" by Certisys (Belgium).

How to Use

Instructions are included on the back of the box:

Harvest up to 1kg of Black Pearl mushrooms over three flushes. This variety can be cultivated year-round, with an ideal temperature range of 12° to 20°C.

Tips for Growing

To encourage growth and productivity for the second and third harvests, you can:

• Rehydrate the substrate: Remove the bag from the box and soak it overnight in water. Drain it before returning it to the cultivation environment.
• Induce a thermal shock: Place the block in a cool place (e.g., refrigerator or outdoors) overnight or longer. This simulates winter arrival and encourages the mushroom to reproduce.

Harvest

Harvest the clusters before the edges of the caps start to lift and slightly brown. The caps can double in size daily during initial growth. When growth slows and the caps turn light gray, it's generally the right time to harvest. Younger mushrooms store better and have a tender texture.

Twist the clusters to harvest and remove any remaining stem pieces from the substrate. Keep the substrate moist until the next harvest.

Typically, three harvests can be obtained from one block. The first harvest is the most abundant, with subsequent harvests yielding about half as much each time.

Where to Cultivate

Indoors (kitchen, garage, basement). Black Pearl mushrooms need some light to grow. Prefer indirect sunlight and avoid anything that may dry out the block: drafts, radiators, or direct sunlight. Mushrooms like humidity but should not be constantly soaked.

Storage

The kit can be stored in the refrigerator for 6 to 8 weeks if you do not wish to use it immediately or if it is a gift.

Fresh mushrooms can be stored for 5 to 7 days in a paper bag in the refrigerator. For longer storage, you can freeze, dry, or can them.