Mushrooms have long been a subject of fascination for writers – fiction and non-fiction; and their healing properties in their natural state raw or cooked, in powder and capsule form around the world and now in the U.S. at local pharmacies, in tincture form.

Artist and author Hilary E. Bartlett’s book launch for her latest, “Mushroom Mania,” was held July 17 at Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library. Bartlett’s well-researched guide to wild mushrooms features her watercolor illustrations of the fungi varieties. She also included a small collection of recipes; one is Bartlett’s crab-stuffed mushroom caps, served at the launch. Others came from the Farm and Forage Kitchen, MOFGA, Oyster Creek Mushroom Company, and others. After reading the introduction to “Mushroom Mania” sales, book signing and visits to the refreshment table began.

It was a long and winding road that led to this latest publication. In April of 2020 I contacted Hilary for my column “Meanwhile Back in the Studio” (during COVID-19 while we were all “sheltering in place”) to find out what might be cooking at her studio. Her first book, “The Thistle Inn:  A Wee Bit of Scotland in Maine” was to be published the following month. We talked about her art for a while and then Hilary spoke about a new book she was planning about Maine mushrooms. Not to be a field guide, more of a “hodgepodge of information: mushrooms and ecology; shroom health, nutrition and reproduction; watercolor illustrations ... and maybe some recipes.” 

This new project was really perfect for her: a microbiologist, researcher and artist who loves to cook. “I needed a project to take my mind off what was happening in the world,” she said. “I was cooking up a storm and thought ‘I’ll do a book on mushrooms – they are easy to draw.’ I started the research and I was hooked. I had no idea about the medicinal use of mushrooms. The Japanese and Chinese have been using mushrooms for health for centuries. One day I read about a Maine company growing mushrooms in the New York Times!”

For example, there is Chaga (mushroom) stout brewed by Lone Pine  in partnership with North Spore Mushrooms. Hilary visited Maine Cap and Stem in Gardiner which kept her busy; as well as the organic Moose & Valley. Hilary contacted pharmacist Andrew Robertson at Nathan’s Pharmacy where mushroom supplements were, and are, offered. Host Defense brand (produced by Paul Stamets of “Fantastic Fungi”) in particular.

“I kept amending the book because the publication date kept being pushed back,” she said. “It was a long time rewriting, chopping, expanding, updating ...”

Research took her to locations throughout Maine including Oyster Creek Mushroom Farm in Damariscotta (the first Maine business offering a supplement of 14 full spectrum varieties for pets. However, they are online only now); White Mountain Mushrooms in Lovell gave Hilary a tour of the enterprise. Bartlett learned that in 2018 Whole Foods market listed mushrooms as the third largest food category in the US – and medicinal mushrooms were trending as a top food. 

With Hilary’s book readers can learn about growing mushrooms at home, or rather, in your home, by getting shoe boxes of mycelium – just water and in a few weeks ... voilà! Or you could try your hand at growing oyster mushrooms by buying spawn sold with bags of subtrate (food) in 50-70 quart clear plastic storage containers. How about cultivation on tree stumps?

How about you buy a copy of this long awaited, informative book with amazing illustrations and recipes chock full of fascinating information? “Mushroom Mania” is available at Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shops, on the publisher website, North Country Press, and Amazon.

“Mushrooms can provide the missing links in our health, wellness, and longevity." – Paul Stamets