Edible Ottawa

The Magic of Mushrooms

• Photo by Amy Zambonin

  Since launching Le Coprin, the mushrooms that Christophe Marineau-Mes (top right) grows, such as the blue oyster and lion's mane shown here, have become a staple in the region's restaurants. Over the last 16 years, he has cultivated 25 varieties of mushrooms, and these days, he's inoculating 2,000 bags every week.

• In the past few years, there's been a boom of new producers such as JCB Gourmet Mushrooms, Forest Floor Mushrooms and The Fungi Connection selling fresh mushrooms and grow kits at local farmers' markets and stores in Ottawa and Kingston.