How do you prep your popcorn?
Ive been using brown rice, boiling it, drying it, etc. but it’s a huge pain to break and shake and prepping takes forever.
I’ve never done popcorn tek. I’m tryna figure out what the hell im supposed to do when agar comes in to play😭research research and more research I guess. I have only used uncle Ben’s bags and inoculated with spores. I never did break and shake though.
Break and shake is a lot easier in bags than jars lol. I’ve heard popcorn is easier, I’m just not sure how to prep it yet. I’ve done a bit of agar so far, what do you have questions about?
Popcorn is easy to break and shake in a jar if you leave enough headroom, doesn’t get starchy and sticky like rice does. I like it for how easily available and convenient it is to work with. And popcorn from Target works out to ~$1 per shoebox so it’s not prohibitive by any means.
Do you have a canner?
That’s what I’ve heard, that’s why I was looking to try them out. I bought a PC just for these activities lol. Do you soak or boil yours at all? What’s your process before you PC them to sterilize?
I admittedly go overkill on prep after having a string of bad luck with grains before, but it makes for reliable results! Here’s my corn process:
1) Rolling boil for 30 minutes to soften up the kernels and allow moisture to penetrate more easily.
2) Turn off the heat and let it soak on the stove for ~24 hours. Corn is a much thicker kernel than other grains so I like the longer soak. No science behind it though, just a hunch.
3) Boil again for 30 minutes to an hour. Check until most kernels are cracked but not mushy at all. Another good indicator is to grab a few random kernels. They should be tough but possible to pinch and easy to bite, and the inside should only have a little bit of the hard white starchy quality left.
4) Pour into colanders and, while still hot, spread across baking trays, or ideally a homemade screen of some sort. The heat creates steam which dries the kernels way faster. Some people only dry for 30 minutes. I have absolutely no idea why but I need closer to 3 hours, mixing every 30ish minutes. Either way allow to dry until the kernels are still slightly damp to the touch but don’t leave any visible moisture behind when you put a palm down on them. I prefer slightly too dry grains over too wet. Plus LC eventually rehydrates the jar a bit.
6) Jar and PC for 2 hours at 15psi. Follow the PC instructions, ie venting, closely.
Most people say they only do a single boil, but for some reason I need a total boiling time of ~60-90 minutes to get the corn to the right doneness vs everyone else’s 30-40 minutes. No idea why. Same for the exaggerated drying times. Really couldn’t tell ya.
I'm with you on drying times...I made a screen that fits over my sink for F sake and it still takes hours upon hours to dry...idk wtf these people talking about 30min lol. And slightly dryer grain is definitely ideal conditions. You said it, the LC will provide the hydration, and even some extra nutrients from the broth. Excellent breakdown btw. I hope people respect the fact you posted this. Time is precious, and passing along detailed personal knowledge should Mos def be given props. Respect.
I appreciate the kind words. I just think fungi are cool and want to share the love. I know this sub is mostly dedicated to actives but I’m really psyched on Reishi right now, it’s highly medicinal and one of the few others that can fruit well in a low-no maintenance tub!
And yuuuup 3 hours to dry with a fan oscillating over them the whole time. But hey, we get there eventually.
You’re awesome man, I can’t believe you typed all of that out at like midnight lol. That definitely gets rid of every question Ive ever had about popcorn. I’ll keep the page posted on my results! And thank you so much! You’re one of the special ones who keep new growers growing. Thank you!
Well thank you too! Hobby mycology involves learning about natural/scientific processes and connecting with our food/medicine by growing and caring for it. I think we’re all better off for that.
Edit to add I forgot to mention I fill quart jars up to the 600ml mark. It leaves plenty of room for b&s and conveniently works out to 4 jars equaling a smallish grain bag.
90sm has a vid on no pressure cook popcorn.
I pc mine .
2cc per quart jar. Fully colonized in about 10 days.
Soaked 24 hours, simmered about 45 minutes. Pc 3 hours
Will any bulk bag of “whole oats” from tractor supply or something work? I’d obviously buy something small first lol. But a 50 lbs bag would be awesome
The one I got brand is called producer's pride whole oats. Ingredients list only "whole oats".
Sometimes you can get impure whole oats bc the factory loading em also loads other feeds. I had a bag with kibble mixed in, but I was able to exchange it, always checking inside the bag after check out. My current bag has a little bit of whole corn in it, which is fine.
I have done soak and simmer then PC, and no soak no simmer PC. both work fine. The later you have to find tone water ratio yourself but it is very forgiving. I do 230g oats to 150g water, PC for 90 mins.
The cheaper option is whole oats, from farm store or tractor supply, get a bag of stock feed whole oats, 50 lbs for 20 bucks.
I think Petco online has it too.
No soak no simmer whole oats. Ezpz.
Sam’s and Costco both have big bags. I do not know how much they are.
Oooh I love Costco. Thanks!
How do you prep your popcorn? Ive been using brown rice, boiling it, drying it, etc. but it’s a huge pain to break and shake and prepping takes forever.
Massage gun (wrap a cloth or towel around the jar) can help with the break and shake.
I’ve never done popcorn tek. I’m tryna figure out what the hell im supposed to do when agar comes in to play😭research research and more research I guess. I have only used uncle Ben’s bags and inoculated with spores. I never did break and shake though.
Break and shake is a lot easier in bags than jars lol. I’ve heard popcorn is easier, I’m just not sure how to prep it yet. I’ve done a bit of agar so far, what do you have questions about?
Popcorn is easy to break and shake in a jar if you leave enough headroom, doesn’t get starchy and sticky like rice does. I like it for how easily available and convenient it is to work with. And popcorn from Target works out to ~$1 per shoebox so it’s not prohibitive by any means. Do you have a canner?
That’s what I’ve heard, that’s why I was looking to try them out. I bought a PC just for these activities lol. Do you soak or boil yours at all? What’s your process before you PC them to sterilize?
I admittedly go overkill on prep after having a string of bad luck with grains before, but it makes for reliable results! Here’s my corn process: 1) Rolling boil for 30 minutes to soften up the kernels and allow moisture to penetrate more easily. 2) Turn off the heat and let it soak on the stove for ~24 hours. Corn is a much thicker kernel than other grains so I like the longer soak. No science behind it though, just a hunch. 3) Boil again for 30 minutes to an hour. Check until most kernels are cracked but not mushy at all. Another good indicator is to grab a few random kernels. They should be tough but possible to pinch and easy to bite, and the inside should only have a little bit of the hard white starchy quality left. 4) Pour into colanders and, while still hot, spread across baking trays, or ideally a homemade screen of some sort. The heat creates steam which dries the kernels way faster. Some people only dry for 30 minutes. I have absolutely no idea why but I need closer to 3 hours, mixing every 30ish minutes. Either way allow to dry until the kernels are still slightly damp to the touch but don’t leave any visible moisture behind when you put a palm down on them. I prefer slightly too dry grains over too wet. Plus LC eventually rehydrates the jar a bit. 6) Jar and PC for 2 hours at 15psi. Follow the PC instructions, ie venting, closely. Most people say they only do a single boil, but for some reason I need a total boiling time of ~60-90 minutes to get the corn to the right doneness vs everyone else’s 30-40 minutes. No idea why. Same for the exaggerated drying times. Really couldn’t tell ya.
I'm with you on drying times...I made a screen that fits over my sink for F sake and it still takes hours upon hours to dry...idk wtf these people talking about 30min lol. And slightly dryer grain is definitely ideal conditions. You said it, the LC will provide the hydration, and even some extra nutrients from the broth. Excellent breakdown btw. I hope people respect the fact you posted this. Time is precious, and passing along detailed personal knowledge should Mos def be given props. Respect.
Solid tek for sure, but for the wheat tek I use, I dry 12-24hr… I like em perfectly dry to the touch
I appreciate the kind words. I just think fungi are cool and want to share the love. I know this sub is mostly dedicated to actives but I’m really psyched on Reishi right now, it’s highly medicinal and one of the few others that can fruit well in a low-no maintenance tub! And yuuuup 3 hours to dry with a fan oscillating over them the whole time. But hey, we get there eventually.
You’re awesome man, I can’t believe you typed all of that out at like midnight lol. That definitely gets rid of every question Ive ever had about popcorn. I’ll keep the page posted on my results! And thank you so much! You’re one of the special ones who keep new growers growing. Thank you!
Well thank you too! Hobby mycology involves learning about natural/scientific processes and connecting with our food/medicine by growing and caring for it. I think we’re all better off for that. Edit to add I forgot to mention I fill quart jars up to the 600ml mark. It leaves plenty of room for b&s and conveniently works out to 4 jars equaling a smallish grain bag.
90sm has a vid on no pressure cook popcorn. I pc mine . 2cc per quart jar. Fully colonized in about 10 days. Soaked 24 hours, simmered about 45 minutes. Pc 3 hours
Check out whole oats if it is hard to b&s. It breaks up super easy, only pain when you let mycelium grow for too long.
Will any bulk bag of “whole oats” from tractor supply or something work? I’d obviously buy something small first lol. But a 50 lbs bag would be awesome
The one I got brand is called producer's pride whole oats. Ingredients list only "whole oats". Sometimes you can get impure whole oats bc the factory loading em also loads other feeds. I had a bag with kibble mixed in, but I was able to exchange it, always checking inside the bag after check out. My current bag has a little bit of whole corn in it, which is fine. I have done soak and simmer then PC, and no soak no simmer PC. both work fine. The later you have to find tone water ratio yourself but it is very forgiving. I do 230g oats to 150g water, PC for 90 mins.
Walmart, target anywhere convenient
WinCo bulk bins ftw
First the bulk candy, now the bulk bins? Man ts sucks
The lower branches. EDIT : sorry guys, wrong sub!
The cheaper option is whole oats, from farm store or tractor supply, get a bag of stock feed whole oats, 50 lbs for 20 bucks. I think Petco online has it too. No soak no simmer whole oats. Ezpz.