How long does mushroom spawn last for?

Mushroom spawn is a living organism. Its shelf life will depend on:

• The species
• The storage temperature
• The way it is stored.
•  

Mushroom species with slow-growing mycelium have the longest shelf life. 

In chronological order of appearance, the aging processes of spawn are:

1. The mycelium / spawn becomes more compact
2. Observation / formation of skins, crusts and lumps
3. Production of colored liquid with or without an unpleasant odour
4. Autolysis (self-destruction) of the mycelium and degradation of the spawn
5.  

In stage 1 and 2, the mycelium is perfectly usable, although it is less crumbly than totally fresh spawn. Since the autolysis of the cells begins at the end of stage 3, we highly recommend that you use the spawn before this time. In stage 4 the mycelium is dying and should be discarded.

We do not indicate the shelf life on our spawn. Some producers do, but we consider it too difficult to give a guarantee.

If you're unsure whether your spawn is still viable please get in touch with the team for clarification.