History of the mushroom
Already as early as the Roman times, fungi were not only popular in Europe, but they were also consumed centuries ago in Middle and South America. They were regarded as special and mysterious and were often used in age-old rituals.
The word mushroom is derived from the French word for fungi and moulds. One day, around 1650, a melon grower near Paris discovered mushrooms growing on his growth fertiliser. He decided to cultivate this new exotic delicacy commercially and to introduce it in exclusive Parisian restaurants. It was at that time that the mushroom was given the nickname ‘Parisian mushroom’. Later on, the French gardener, Chambry, discovered that the caves had just the right cool and moist environment for cultivating mushrooms, afterwich a large-scale mushroom cultivation developed in the caves around Paris.
Fungi were most likely cultivated for the first time around the year 600 in Asia. In Europe, the first cultivated fungi, the mushroom, was introduced in the 17th century. Mushrooms were introduced into the Netherlands for the first time at the beginning of the 19th century, but it was not be until after the 1900s that they were cultivated on a large-scale in the marl mines in Limburg. In the early years, the mushroom was still very exclusive and only available to the elite. However, since then, better and more effective methods have been developed and there has been a huge increase in mushroom cultivation. It was only after 1950 that the Dutch consumer became familiar with the mushroom, and in the meantime, there are various areas in the Netherlands that specialise in the cultivation of mushrooms, mainly south of the great rivers. The Dutch mushroom cultivation is especially known for the strict control it keeps on the cultivation.
In the last 50 years, the Netherlands has grown into the largest mushroom production country within the European Union, with an annual production of 270 million kilograms and more than 10,000 jobs. Next to China and the United States, the Netherlands holds 3rd place in the market. China is in first place with 70% of the world’s production. Every year, millions of tons of mushrooms are cultivated worldwide.
The word mushroom is derived from the French word for fungi and moulds. One day, around 1650, a melon grower near Paris discovered mushrooms growing on his growth fertiliser. He decided to cultivate this new exotic delicacy commercially and to introduce it in exclusive Parisian restaurants. It was at that time that the mushroom was given the nickname ‘Parisian mushroom’. Later on, the French gardener, Chambry, discovered that the caves had just the right cool and moist environment for cultivating mushrooms, afterwich a large-scale mushroom cultivation developed in the caves around Paris.
Fungi were most likely cultivated for the first time around the year 600 in Asia. In Europe, the first cultivated fungi, the mushroom, was introduced in the 17th century. Mushrooms were introduced into the Netherlands for the first time at the beginning of the 19th century, but it was not be until after the 1900s that they were cultivated on a large-scale in the marl mines in Limburg. In the early years, the mushroom was still very exclusive and only available to the elite. However, since then, better and more effective methods have been developed and there has been a huge increase in mushroom cultivation. It was only after 1950 that the Dutch consumer became familiar with the mushroom, and in the meantime, there are various areas in the Netherlands that specialise in the cultivation of mushrooms, mainly south of the great rivers. The Dutch mushroom cultivation is especially known for the strict control it keeps on the cultivation.
In the last 50 years, the Netherlands has grown into the largest mushroom production country within the European Union, with an annual production of 270 million kilograms and more than 10,000 jobs. Next to China and the United States, the Netherlands holds 3rd place in the market. China is in first place with 70% of the world’s production. Every year, millions of tons of mushrooms are cultivated worldwide.
| 1651 | Discovery of the mushroom in the vicinity of Paris by sprinkling the waste from melon crops with leachate from ripe mushrooms. |
| 1707 |
First controlled cultivation of “edible fungi” in the vegetable garden. |
| 1800 | Mushroom cultivation in the underground stone quarries, where the climate is ideal for continuous mushroom cultivation. |
| 1825 | Mushrooms are cultivated on a country estate near Haarlem. |
| 1900 | Mushroom cultivation in the fluweelgrotten (Velvet Caves) in Valkenburg and in the St. Pietersberg caves near Maastricht. |
| 1934 | First scientific study of mushroom culture in the Research Station, Naaldwijk-The Netherlands. |
| 1946 | Laboratory for mushroom culture in Houthem St.Gerlach (South Limburg) under the guidance of the great mushroom pioneers Mr. Bels, M Sc, and his wife, Dr. Bels-Koning |
| 1950 | Construction of the first modern aboveground mushroom nurseries with several cultivation areas. The trays were made of concrete. |
| 1953 | Establishment of the CNC, the Dutch Cooperative Mushroom Growers Association in Mook. This association initiated the founding of the Research Station for Mushroom Culture in 1957 in Horst. |
| 1955 | Cultivation in wooden boxes in a tray. |
| 1960 | Cultivation in wooden beds on metal trays. |
| 1975 | Cultivation in fully metal trays, with mechanisation of inserting and removing the mushroom compost. |
| 2007 | Introduction MyChampi |
