Mushrooms
Mushrooms are a year-round essential thanks to reliable indoor growing conditions and steady Victorian supply. They’re great for umami-rich menus and plant-based options. Prices and availability are generally stable, though wild mushrooms like pine and slippery jacks are seasonal and highly weather-dependent. A consistent variety of exotic mushrooms are imported from Asia and handful of specialty mushrooms fresh from Europe but be prepared to pay mushrooms flown out of places like France and Italy.
Peak Season: Year-round for cultivated varieties
Common & readily available varieties: Button, Swiss Brown, Flats, Portobello, Shiitake, Oyster, Enoki
Specialty Varieties with limited availability: Pine Mushrooms, Slippery Jacks (late autumn); Porcini (early winter)
Off Season: Wild/exotic imports fluctuate depending on global demand and shipping
Storage tips: Store in a breathable container or paper bag in the fridge. Avoid airtight plastic, which can cause sweating and spoilage.
| MUSHROOMS | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Button | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟡 Good |
🟠 OK | 🟠 OK | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
| Flat | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟡 Good |
🟠 OK | 🟠 OK | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
| Swiss Brown | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟡 Good |
🟠 OK | 🟠 OK | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
| Portabella | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟡 Good |
🟠 OK | 🟠 OK | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
| King Oyster | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
| Oyster | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
| Enoki | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
| Shimeji | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
| Shiitake | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
| Pine (Saffron Milk Cap) | 🔴 Poor | 🟡 Good | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟡 Good |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| Slippery Jack | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟡 Good |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| Morel | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
| Porcini | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🟡 Good | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟡 Good |
🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor |
🟢 Best Quality, Stable Price & Locally-Grown
Peak-season local produce at its freshest and most affordable. Excellent flavour, long shelf life, and reliable availability. Ideal for premium menus and consistent plating.
🟡 Good Quality, Variable Price
Often sourced from interstate. Still high quality, but pricing can shift depending on supply volumes and freight. A solid option with manageable cost.
🟠 OK - Variable Quality, Volatile Pricing
Typically freighted from distant states (QLD, WA or NT). Quality may be inconsistent, and pricing often fluctuates based on weather, fuel, and logistics. Use with caution in cost-sensitive menus.
🔴 Poor - Limited Supply, High Cost, and Imported
Availability is low or highly unpredictable. Often imported from overseas, resulting in shorter shelf life, lower flavour, and premium pricing. Suitable only for specialised or non-negotiable menu items.