Few foods have inspired as much lore, love and legitimate confusion as the mushroom. Used for everything from medicinal tonics to mind-bending trips, these edible fungi have become the poster child for wellness warriors, culinary creatives, and your cousin who insists that lion’s mane cured her brain fog.
Spoiler alert: It probably didn’t.
To be clear, mushrooms are undeniably good for you. But so are kale, carrots and a dozen other things I forget to eat when I’m busy. The standard grocery store fare—white button and portobello—aren’t usually the ones sending foodies into a frenzy. Personally, I love a good shiitake and regularly sneak them into sautés and stir-fries. I’ve even got a jar of powdered reishi in my cupboard, strictly for days when I want my tea to taste like ancient forest floor.
But it wasn’t until I joined a media tour at Far West Fungi in Moss Landing that I realized I was just dabbling in the world of fungi. This crowd was in deep.
As we gathered in the picturesque picnic area, I began chatting with a woman in a mushroom-print skirt and matching purse. I realized I was surrounded by people in mushroom hats, tees and earrings shaped like chanterelles. These were not casual consumers. They were mycophiles—a word I’d never heard before but now deeply respect.
Mushroom Superfans
Far West Fungi is known for delighting chefs, farmers market-goers and, now, mushroom influencers (yes, that’s a thing). What began as a small family-run operation in the early ’80s has grown into a thriving business cultivating more than a dozen specialty mushrooms, all organic, local and surprisingly photogenic.
But as much as I love a good mushroom risotto, I was still left wondering—why the obsession?
Looking for answers, I struck up a conversation with Dr. Gordon Walker, aka Dr. Fun Guy, an award-winning speaker, science communicator, published author and social media influencer with over 3 million followers.
When I asked him what sparked his passion for fungi, he smiled like someone who just unearthed a truffle.
“It started when I was young,” he said, “but it wasn’t love at first sight. But I kept coming back to mushrooms. Eventually, I realized just how utterly gorgeous they are.”
Walker calls mushrooms “the biggest, most charismatic macrofungi.” They feed us, heal us, sometimes intoxicate us. They’re ancient, mysterious and—his favorite descriptor—ephemeral. They show up unannounced, work their magic and vanish.
“Fungi are these enigmatic agents of change. They break things down, build ecosystems, and remind us that nature doesn’t always follow a tidy script.”
Mushroom as Medicine
Of course, in today’s health-obsessed world, mushrooms have taken on a new identity: miracle medicine.
With mushroom teas, tinctures, powders and pills now lining shelves from Whole Foods to Walgreens, the mushroom wellness industry is booming—into the billions. My sister, for example, swears by her mushroom supplements. When I told her Dr. Walker was skeptical of their so-called superpowers, she was annoyed. Then relieved. I could relate.
“I’m optimistic about the potential for medicinal mushrooms,” he told me. “But most of what’s being marketed? Overhyped.”
Walker explained that certain mushroom compounds—like beta-glucans and polysaccharides—can act as immune modulators, meaning they help stimulate the immune system. Some mushrooms also act as prebiotics, feeding the good bacteria in your gut and supporting overall microbiome health.
This, by the way, is a good thing. A very good thing. But it’s also a far cry from curing ADHD, banishing brain fog or replacing your multivitamin. Those claims? Not exactly backed by science.
“If someone’s undergoing chemotherapy, for example, supplementing with mushrooms can help as an adjunct—supporting the immune system through the treatment. But if you’re just chugging mushroom coffee hoping to unlock your third eye? Maybe take it down a notch.”
His advice? Skip the pricey powders and just eat your mushrooms. Cook them. Roast them. Even blend them into soups or smoothies, if that’s your vibe. But don’t expect miracles from a supplement label.
So, I asked, is the whole “mushrooms will save the world” thing legit?
Walker answers: “People say that a lot. But I always push back and say—we already live in a fungal world. From restoring soil to buffering climate change impacts, fungi are fundamental to nearly every ecosystem on Earth.
“They’re already saving it. We just need to pay attention.”
Focus on Flavor
Ian Garrone, CEO of Far West Fungi, appreciates mushrooms through a slightly different lens. Having grown up in the family business, he’s seen trends come and go—but the love for mushrooms? That’s been growing steadily since Far West entered the food scene at the San Francisco farmer’s market.
“The ’80s were a wild time,” Ian recalled. “TV chefs were becoming food influencers before we had a word for it. People were following folks like Wolfgang Puck and Emeril Lagasse, and we were right there at the farmers market feeding that movement.”
Despite the wellness buzz, Ian and his family have always drawn a firm line: “We grow culinary mushrooms. We’re not doctors. We’re not trying to sell snake oil.”
Instead, Far West focuses on flavor, texture and the joy of cooking with mushrooms. Whether it’s the meaty chew of lion’s mane or the umami punch of maitake, these fungi are meant to be eaten, savored and shared.
And sure, maybe they help your gut health; maybe they give you a little energy boost. But the real magic? That’s in the connection. To nature, to flavor, to something deeper we can’t always explain.
So next time you find yourself eyeing the mushroom-adorned earrings at the farmers market or reaching for a dusty bag of powdered chaga, just remember: Mushrooms don’t need hype. They’re already doing the work.
You just have to meet them halfway—with garlic, olive oil, and maybe a little awe.
Far West Fungi is hosting the second annual Santa Cruz Mountain Mushroom Festival on May 3–4, 10am–6pm. More than a dozen speakers will be in attendance, including Dr. Gordon Walker, and there will be culinary demonstrations, workshops, panel discussions, live music, food, vendors a kids’ zone, and a promise of “mush mush more.” Visit scmmfest.com and farwestfungi.com. One-day entry is $50; children 12 and under are free.
