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Want to know more?
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What Kinds of Mushrooms Do You Sell?At LifeCap Farms, we specialize in organically grown, gourmet and specialty mushrooms. We "grow with the seasons" to harness the natural environment and be more eco-friendly. This means that in the colder months, we grow more mushrooms that thrive in cooler temps and when it is hotter outside, we shift to those that enjoy warmer climates. However, we have a few varieties we grow all year long. At any given time, you may find Lions Mane, Shiitake, Blue Oyster, Black Pearl Oyster, Pink Oyster, Golden Oyster, King Oyster, Chestnuts, Enoki, White/Brown Beech, Maitake and more...
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Can I Visit the Farm?While we are not open to the public on a daily basis, we do often host fun events at the mushroom farm! Keep an eye on our Instagram page for the latest events. We also offer exclusive access to some members only events for our CSA subscribers! If you are interested, you can sign up here.
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What is CSA?CSA is Community Supported Agriculture. Mushroom lovers sign up to commit to two boxes per month of assorted mushrooms. This allows us as a farm to understand how much to produce so we can provide delicious and nutritious mushrooms to the community. It gives us a steady flow of orders so we can grow and keeps us from wasting any product so we can be more sustainable. At LifeCap Farms, we prioritize sustainability, ethical farming practices, and providing our customers with the best possible product. We believe in creating a partnership between farmers and consumers to support a healthy and thriving community. Sign Up Here
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How Does the CSA Work?As a member of our CSA program, you will receive a bi-weekly share of fresh, organic mushrooms grown on our farm. Simply sign up via the form on this page - Mushroom Variety Box You will select the size of the box you wish to get, and the pick up location you prefer. Then, every other Friday morning, we will drop off your box to the location specified for you to pick it up. It's that easy!
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What Do I Get with the CSA?When you sign up for the mushroom CSA program, you will select the size box you'd like to receive (1, 2, or 3 lbs). Bi-weekly, you will receive a recyclable paper box filled with a fresh assortment of organically grown, gourmet mushrooms in the weight you requested to be eaten and enjoyed! CSA members often get fun perks too - like early access to new products, samples, invitations to special events, and discounts :)
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What Do I Do If I Am Unable To Pickup My Next Box?No problem! We understand that sometimes you are out of town, or things come up. Please just send us an email to info@lifecapfarms.com with your information so we can pause your next delivery.
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Can I Pause My CSA Subscription?Sure thing! We understand that things change and you may need to take a hiatus. Please just email us at info@lifecapfarms.com with your information, and we will pause your subscription for a period of time. Some awesome members choose to instead gift some boxes to a friend or loved one when they are unable to use the subscription for a few weeks. We can accommodate this too! Just send us the name so we can be sure our retail partners know who will be picking up.
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How Do I Cancel My CSA Subscription?We will be sad to see you go, but understand that things change! Please just email us at info@lifecapfarms.com at least 3 days in advance of the next delivery date so we don't over harvest. If at any time you decide to resume, simply sign up again here - Join the CSA!
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Can I Eat Mushrooms Raw?All of our mushrooms are grown organically, with only certified organic material in a safe and clean environment. Our team is proud of the high quality of our mushrooms and also eats what we produce! And while it is safe to eat our mushrooms raw, we prefer to cook them so their delicious umami flavor is unlocked. The cooking process also helps to break down the cell walls, making some nutrients more bioavailable.
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How Do I Cook Mushrooms?There are many delicious ways to cook mushrooms! To start, it's important to avoid washing the mushrooms, as they can absorb water and become soggy. Our mushrooms are grown organically and in a clean and safe environment so we cook and eat them as is! However, if you feel you need to do some cleaning, use a damp cloth or paper towel to gently wipe them. For cooking methods - the world is your oyster (mushroom). You can sauté, grill, bake, roast, fry, air fry - whatever your heart desires! Check out our Recipe page for tips from our Chef friends, or visit our Instagram for inspiration. Whatever you do, just make sure you enjoy LifeCap Farm mushrooms in your favorite dishes!
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What are the Health Benefits of Mushrooms?Glad you asked! Mushrooms are a great addition to your meals and have many amazing health benefits. Eating mushrooms can support your immune system, boost brain function, and help protect your heart. Check out our page dedicated to this topic for more detailed info.
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How Are Your Mushroom Tinctures Made?Our tinctures are extracts of mushrooms grown from our farm here in Jersey City. Our tinctures are double extracted and involve using both alcohol and water to pull out beneficial compounds from natural materials such as mushrooms. The process typically involves two separate extractions: one with alcohol (we use organic sugar cane alcohol) and another with water. The goal is to extract a wider range of bioactive elements that may have varying solubilities in alcohol and water. Here's a general overview of how our double extracted tinctures are made: Preparation of Material: We start by preparing the mushrooms. This involves drying them to increase surface area and facilitate extraction. First Extraction with Alcohol Second Extraction with Filtered Water (Decoction) Combining the Extracts: Finally, combine the alcohol tincture (from the first extraction) with the water decoction (from the second extraction). This creates the double extracted tincture, which contains a broader spectrum of bioactive compounds extracted from the mushrooms than just a single water decoction. Bottling and Storage: Transfer the combined extract into clean, dark glass bottles for storage. Store the tincture in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. Double extracted tinctures can be used for their medicinal properties and taken orally by adding a few drops to water or juice.
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What if I Want a Tincture Without Any Alcohol?First, here is some info on tinctures that DO use alcohol so you can understand more about the benefits of double extractions. Our tinctures are double extracted and involve using both alcohol and water to pull out beneficial compounds from natural materials such as mushrooms. The process typically involves two separate extractions: one with alcohol (we use organic sugar cane alcohol) and another with water. The goal is to extract a wider range of bioactive elements that may have varying solubilities in alcohol and water. Shop our mushroom tincture selection here. If for any reason, you want the benefits of a mushroom tincture, but without alcohol, we have an easy solution for you! Our legacy LifeCap Farms member, Rachel, shares her knowledge of decoctions in this awesome video! Steps to make a mushroom decoction: Select a medium to large pot with a lid Add purified water to the pot. (This is based on how much dried mushroom you want to add. Here we suggest an inch piece per cup of water.*) Turn heat on low to medium to begin warming the water and mushrooms Cover the pot and bring the mixture to a simmer. Do not boil! Simmer for at least 15-20 minutes. For a stronger decoction, simmer longer. Turn off the heat, remove the lid, and strain out the mushroom pieces Let liquid cool completely and store in a container with a lid on in the fridge (up to 10 days) for future use!
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Can I Take More Than 1 Tincture at a Time?Yes, different mushrooms offer unique benefits and combining them may have a synergistic effect. By mixing mushroom extracts, you can create a personalized supplement routine that targets multiple aspects of your health and wellness. Please always consult your physician before starting a new supplement.
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Why Does Alcohol Matter in Mushroom Tinctures?Alcohol in mushroom tinctures offers several key advantages for consumers: Better Extraction: Alcohol pulls out more beneficial compounds from mushrooms than water alone, giving you a more potent product. Alcohol is an excellent solvent for extracting beneficial compounds from mushrooms. It breaks down the chitinous cell walls of fungi, allowing for the release of important bioactive substances that might not be accessible through other extraction methods. Dual-Action Power: When combined with water, alcohol helps extract both water-soluble and fat-soluble compounds, providing a more complete range of mushroom benefits. Concentrated Formula: Alcohol-based tinctures are typically more concentrated, meaning you may need smaller doses to get the desired effects. Faster Absorption: Your body may absorb alcohol-based tinctures more quickly, potentially leading to faster effects. Longer Shelf Life: The alcohol acts as a natural preservative, so your tincture stays effective for longer without added chemicals.
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