Fungi take spotlight at first-ever festival in Annapolis Valley
The mighty mushroom is being acknowledged not only as a delicious ingredient, but for its role in nature and medicine at a new festival in the Annapolis Valley this fall.
Megan Giffen is organizing Nova Scotia’s first-ever fungi festival to celebrate the mushroom -- a subject she says is largely misunderstood.
“Mushrooms are their own kingdom, so there’s this mystery around them,” Giffen explained. “They’re not part of plants, they’re not part of animals, so people don’t really understand them.”
Giffen teaches people how to cultivate their own mushrooms through her business, Unseen World.
By turning a liquid mushroom culture into a substance called mycelium, she sells pre-inoculated sustainably harvested logs, which will grow different varieties such as grey dove, oyster and turkey-tail mushrooms.
“They’ll keep growing for years and years,” Giffen said.
Giffen felt compelled to celebrate the humble mushroom by bringing together a network of experts and enthusiasts to educate others on the fungi kingdom and their many benefits.
“We have herbalists, therapists, cultivators, foragers, and chefs all coming together to share their knowledge in person,” said Giffen.
Fiona Lewis, owner of Molotov Cuisine, is one of the chefs hosting a workshop at the festival.
“You can do sweet and you can do savoury with mushrooms,” said Lewis. “They fill you up with wholesomeness.”
Lewis is planning to teach festival-goers how to incorporate mushrooms in desserts.
“People really don’t know how to use mushrooms in desserts but it’s actually quite delicious,” she said. “You can really meld your flavours to bring out the amazing qualities of a dark chocolate with a porcini mushroom.”
The festival takes place on Oct. 16 at Annapolis Seeds in Nictaux, N.S.
Visit the festival’s website for more information.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.