Spore Yourself Rotten With WIRED’s Mushroom Gifts
If you’ve got a friend obsessed with fungi, you’re in luck. The world’s fascination with mushrooms continues to grow, and there’s a wealth of unique and useful gifts to choose from. From gourmet cooking ingredients to grow-your-own kits and quirky stationery, this guide covers the best mushroom-themed presents for every type of fungi enthusiast.
Mushroom Coffee
Photograph: Pete Cottell
Atlas Coffee Club
Atlas+ Latte Superblend
$26
Atlas Coffee Club is a top pick for adaptogen-infused mushroom coffee, thanks to its delicious taste and ease of use. The starter kit includes a frother and scoop, allowing you to customize your blend. According to mushroom coffee connoisseur Pete Cottell, the coffee superblend offers a mellow flavor with a roasty finish, while the latte superblend provides a toasted coconut aroma and subtle earthy spice notes.
Mushroom Gummies
Courtesy of Plant People
Plant People
WonderDay Mushroom Gummies
$30
$35
Amazon
Plant People’s WonderDay Mushroom Gummies are impressively tasty for being sugar-free. These plant-based, non-GMO, allergen-free gummies combine eight functional mushrooms—lion’s mane, reishi, turkey tail, cordyceps militaris, chaga, shiitake, maitake, and royal sun. The mushrooms are primarily sourced in the Rocky Mountains using regenerative practices, and the company is a B Corp and Climate Neutral Certified. The WonderDay effects (stress relief, improved mood, and consistent energy levels) are designed to build over the first month of use.
Growing Shrooms
Photograph: Kat Merck
Photograph: Kat Merck
North Spore
Boomr Bin Automated Mushroom Monotub
$165
Amazon
$200 $165 (18% off)
North Spore
For the friend who wants to grow their own mushrooms, North Spore’s Boomr Bin automated monotub offers a convenient and versatile option. The kit includes a tub with filters, a hygrometer, a humidifier, and a fan—though instructions aren’t provided, so some YouTube research is necessary for setup. Once running, it’s easy to grow a variety of mushrooms, from oyster mushrooms to lion’s mane. You can use sterilized substrate and liquid mycelium, or opt for pre-inoculated fruiting blocks.
Courtesy of North Spore
North Spore
Organic Spray & Grow Mushroom Kit
$30 $24 (20% off)
Amazon (Pink Oyster)
$30 $24 (20% off)
Amazon (Blue Oyster)
If your friend is just starting out, North Spore’s organic spray-and-grow kits are a simple and affordable way to dip their toe into mushroom cultivation. Unlike other similar kits, these are shipped fresh with an enclosed spray bottle. Cut an X in the block, spray it a couple of times a day, and you’ll soon have a pound of fresh mushrooms. Oyster mushrooms are a good choice for beginners, but lion’s mane is also available.
A Stationery Set
Courtesy of Cavallini & Co
Cavallini & Co.
Mushroom Stationery Set
$18
Amazon
$19
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
$21
MFA Boston
For beautifully lettered correspondence, this stationery set will appeal to a friend with an appreciation for vintage aesthetics. Inside the box are eight flat cards, eight folded notes, and 16 envelopes, plus four sheets of fungi stickers. The box itself is adorned with archival mushroom illustrations, making it a charming keepsake box.
Measuring Cups
Courtesy of Genuine Fred
Genuine Fred
Mushroom Measuring Cups
$18
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
$16
MCA Chicago
$15
Genuine Fred
These nesting mushroom measuring cups are a quirky and practical gift. The set includes standard sizes (1 cup, ¾ cup, ⅔ cup, ½ cup, ⅓ cup, and ¼ cup), but their fun design makes them more than just kitchen tools. They can also double as countertop décor, and are made of BPA-free, non-toxic plastic.
Fungi Puzzle
Courtesy of Cavallini & Co
Courtesy of Cavallini & Co
Cavallini & Co.
Vintage Mushrooms Puzzle
$20
Amazon
$28
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
$25
Puzzedly
Puzzle enthusiasts will appreciate this challenge featuring vintage botanical illustrations of mushrooms, including their Latin names. Once assembled, the puzzle resembles a 19th-century science laboratory display or, according to one fan, a unique spice rack addition. It also includes a drawstring bag for storage and a posture guide.
For Trinkets
Courtesy of Curious Prints
Curious Prints
Black Mushroom Metal Trinket Tray
$16
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
This metal trinket tray, designed by Curious Prints in Austin, Texas, is perfect for holding keys, jewelry, or other small items. Its vintage-inspired scientific illustrations of fungi add a touch of sophistication.
Mushroom-Infused Oil
Courtesy of Algae Cooking Club
Algae Cooking Club
Shiitake Mushroom Oil
$18
Algae Cooking Club
Crafted in collaboration with Eleven Madison Park and Chef Daniel Humm, this shiitake mushroom oil adds an umami kick to any dish. It’s made with high-oleic algae oil and layered with dried shiitake, miso, kombu, chili, wakame, and vitamin E.
Ultimately, gifting a mushroom enthusiast means appealing to their appreciation for science, nature, and unique experiences.
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