Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

183 Shares
183 Shares
SunApr 16

Day of the Mushroom – April 16, 2023

The Day of the Mushroom celebration is celebrated on April 16 and honors all things fungi. The fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, which can grow anywhere above ground, on soil, or its food source, is known as a mushroom. The white button mushroom, which is grown, is the standard fungus to be called a mushroom. Therefore, fungi with a stem, cap, and gills on the underside of their cap are those to which the term “mushroom” is most frequently applied. The name “mushroom” is also relevant to describing the fleshy fruiting bodies of other Ascomycota because it is used to describe a range of different gilled fungi that may or may not have a stem.

History of Day of the Mushroom

Since they first appeared in early European communities, it is generally assumed that people have been gathering mushrooms since the beginning of time, possibly even in prehistoric times. Truffles and other types of mushrooms were prized in classical Greece and Rome. American author Cynthia Bertelsen claims in her book “Mushroom: A Global History” that both well-known historical authors, Pliny the Elder and Aristotle, wrote about fungus. She also claims that the Roman philosopher Galen wrote several paragraphs on the collection of wild mushrooms. Cynthia Bertelsen goes on to add that it is likely that China and Japan were the first places to cultivate mushrooms as early as 600 A.D.

But it took time for Americans to accept and become accustomed to mushrooms. In the cookbook “The Virginia Housewife,” mushrooms are mentioned for the first time in America (1824). Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom Soup, a classic American staple for casserole recipes, was created in the 1930s. Bertelsen adds that there may be archaeological proof of the spiritual usage of mushrooms as early as 10000 B.C. There is proof that various cultures, including the Ancient Greeks, the Mayans, the Chinese, and the Vikings, among many others, used hallucinogenic mushrooms.

Humans now consume edible mushrooms regularly, which has greatly boosted the agricultural and agro-economic development of the areas where they are grown. Around half of all farmed edible mushrooms are produced in China, which also accounts for six pounds of yearly mushroom consumption per person among the world’s 1.4 billion inhabitants. With an estimated 194,000 tonnes of yearly edible mushroom exports, Poland was the leading exporter of mushrooms in 2014.

Day of the Mushroom timeline

600 A.D.
Earliest Known Cultivation of Mushrooms

Mushrooms are said to have been cultivated as far back in time as 600 A.D. in Japan and China.

1824
The Cookbook “The Virginia Housewife” is Published

The popular American cookbook “The Virginia Housewife” is released.

1966
Cynthia Berthelsen is Born

Berthelsen is born on June 1 and becomes an American author, food expert, and photographer.

2013
“Mushroom: A Global History” is Published

Berthelsen’s book “Mushroom: A Global History” is published.

Day of the Mushroom FAQs

What is Day of the Mushroom?

Day of the Mushroom, celebrated on April 16, is an American holiday created to celebrate the mushroom and its health and ecological benefits.

What are mushrooms?

Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, which are typically produced anywhere above ground, on soil, or the source of their food.

Are mushrooms edible?

Yes. Some mushrooms taste good and are safe for human consumption.

Day of the Mushroom Activities

  1. Go mushroom hunting

    It's a good idea to go mushroom hunting on the Day of the Mushroom. Depending on a variety of variables, you can sometimes find mushrooms in your yard or the woods.

  2. Eat some mushrooms

    Consume some mushrooms! When used as culinary garnishing, several edible mushrooms are quite a delicacy and are also nutritious.

  3. Share the fun online

    Don't forget to use the hashtag #DayOfTheMushroom to share your mushroom-related fun. Participate in the online discussion.

5 Interesting Facts About Mushrooms

  1. They breathe like humans do

    Similar to how humans breathe, mushrooms take in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide.

  2. Fruiting bodies of mycelium

    The fruiting body of the mycelium, not the mushroom, is the primary part.

  3. Mushrooms can be edible

    Some mushrooms taste good and are safe for human consumption.

  4. China produces the most mushrooms

    In terms of producing edible mushrooms, China leads the world, followed by Japan and then the United States.

  5. Mushroom spores can survive in space

    Mushroom spores can survive the radiation and vacuum in space.

Why We Love Day of the Mushroom

  1. Some mushrooms are edible

    Some, if not most, mushrooms are edible. That’s just one more source of food for us humans!

  2. Edible mushrooms are tasty

    Edible mushrooms are actually tasty as well, and they definitely make a good vegan snack. Go pick some today!

  3. Mushrooms can be healthy

    Mushrooms are fungi, and as such, their consumption is healthy. We love this!

Day of the Mushroom dates

YearDateDay
2023April 16Sunday
2024April 16Tuesday
2025April 16Wednesday
2026April 16Thursday
2027April 16Friday

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.