“Entangled Life”, “The Mushroom at the End of the World”, and “The Future is Fungi” — in recent years, many mushroom books have landed on literary bestseller lists, and rightly so. As we seek new methods and materials in the face of the climate crisis, the mushroom presents enormous potential with its versatility. Mushroom fabrics as sustainable textiles, mycelium as compostable insulation, and medicinal mushrooms to slow the aging process, strengthen the immune system and protect against cancer are just a few uses for the (not-so-humble) mushroom. The world of mushrooms is as diverse as it is exciting. And anyone who has ever jumped down this rabbit hole will find it hard to climb out of it. It was a similar story for Julian who answered the call of mushrooms in 2022 and set up his mushroom laboratory piece-by-piece in the basement catacombs of the artist and event space MaHalla in Schöneweide. Since then, he and his team have been cultivating reishi, lion’s mane and oyster mushrooms. They also host workshops, events and community meet-ups (all in the spirit of mushrooms). To grow mushrooms successfully at home, you need one thing above all: lots and lots of disinfectant spray, a steady hand, bird sand and grandma’s pressure cooker.

The processes are explained to you step-by-step during the workshops and you can even build your own jar for growing mushrooms at home: The mushrooms are grown in bags in a glass chamber under controlled temperatures and light. Afterwards, we harvested lion’s mane, which Lauren, Julian’s co-partner, made into delicious sandwiches. Not only were our heads full of new knowledge, but our bellies with fresh sandwiches! If you are curious and would like to experience the Mushroom Lab for yourself, send Mycelionaires an email to receive information about upcoming events. Alternatively, you can follow them on Instagram for updates. The workshops usually book out fast, so it pays to be quick! 

Text: Laura-Luisa Iriondo / Photos: Natascha Hamel

Mycelionaires, Wilhelminenhofstr.76-77, 12459 Berlin–Oberschöneweide; map

@mycelionaires

For over three years, I have been sharing my favorite hiking routes in and around Berlin in this newsletter. This particular hiking tour — 23 km in Brandenburg — holds a place deep in my heart. And because it is fairytale-like and idyllic, I would like to start with “It all began in Fürstenberg” because this hike was my first and I have been proud to call myself a hiker ever since. Of course, I didn’t embark on it alone, but with my wonderful and loyal hiking companion Yulia. (I encourage all readers to find a nature lover to explore Brandenburg’s meadows and fields with on the weekends.) But back to the “everything began in Fürstenberg” part. The RE5 train runs direct from Gesundbrunnen every hour. With a coffee in hand and a bowl of fresh strawberries from our city-favorite strawberry farm, the journey flies by. Fürstenberg — located in northern Brandenburg — describes itself as “Germany’s only water town. The medieval town center is picturesquely situated on three islands between Röblinsee, Baalensee and Schwedtsee.” Picturesque it is and the small station caféradiates warmth. Unfortunately, we don’t linger long in the city but beeline to the lush greenery. A wooden bridge leads us eastwards over the Baalensee, through wide meadows and hilly deciduous forests towards Stolpsee, which flows into the Havel.

A zigzagging path leads along the riverbank. The occasional small boat passes by, but it’s mostly ducks, beavers and herons. Another hiking highlight is the Gut Boltenhof — it’s worth taking a break on the outdoor terrace with coffee and cake. Keep an eye on the time so you don’t end up in the dark forest for the last 6 km to Gransee and, if you have a hiking partner like me, they start playing eerie David Lynch songs. It all started in Fürstenberg… Yulia and I have an anniversary in May, and I think back to endless fields of blooming rapeseed, roasting mushrooms in the forest clearing, cow watching, skinny dipping, asparagus soup picnics, oak avenues and rhubarb cake. Fürstenberg is wonderful and, as we do every year, we will walk our traditional route, which always makes our hearts beat faster, with or without Lynch.

Text & Photos: Laura-Luisa Iriondo

You can find the hiking route here.

@fortuna.forest