Not your average mushroom: Turning fungi into flavor

What starts as a dream of opening an Italian deli turns into something entirely different for Jor’El and Sheth Schustrin.

Six years later, the pair now run Stropharia Mushroom Farm, where they grow specialty mushrooms year-round in Southwest Florida.

The idea comes from a deeply personal place. The Schustrins said they are inspired by their stepfather, who lives with Parkinson’s disease.

“By taking some of the tinctures, his symptoms have gotten much better,” Jor’El said.

Stropharia Mushroom Farm uses high-tech indoor farming methods to grow specialty mushrooms year-round.

The Schustrin family had no pre-existing background in mushroom farming, so Jor’El decided to teach himself from scratch.

“I just sat and read and researched how to grow these mushrooms. It’s a lot of trial and error, but eventually it all worked out,” Jor’El said.

The farm grows a wide variety of mushrooms, including oyster mushrooms, lion’s mane, chestnut mushrooms, king trumpets, and more. Each crop takes anywhere from three to six months to grow fully. Chances are, many people in Southwest Florida have already tried them, since Stropharia supplies mushrooms to several local businesses across the region.

Beyond their medicinal properties, these mushrooms can also be cooked into delicious meals. “We use the mushrooms to make things that taste like chicken nuggets, crabless crab cakes, tacos, and more,” Sheth said.

Beyond farming, Stropharia focuses on education and community. The farm offers tours for anyone interested in learning about the cultivation of mushrooms. During the tour, Jor’El and Sheth walk visitors through the entire growing process from start to finish.

During the week, customers can visit the farm to purchase fresh, non-GMO, and naturally grown mushrooms.

“These mushrooms have healing and medicinal properties. They can do so much,” Jor’El said.

The farm also offers coffee, cold brew, protein bars, juices, and other local goods. The Schustrins can often be found selling their mushrooms at farmers’ markets throughout Southwest Florida.

Provided below are the farmers' market locations and dates available:

• Wednesdays: Marco Island farmers market
• Sunday: Pine Ridge and Livingston roads
• Tuesdays: St. John's church, located off Immokalee Road and U.S. 41

For more information and to schedule a tour, click here.