The Mushroom General Research Institute in Nagano, Japan was established in 1983 to deliver tastier and healthier mushrooms to consumers. With 48 researchers, scientists, and PhD’s working together, the Institute has tackled a variety of research and development challenges ranging from the cultivation of new mushroom varieties to development of new culture media and technology.

In 1986, the Institute developed the world’s first pure-white Enoki-take mushroom, Flammulina velutipes. Many other new varieties have been developed, including a less-bitter breed of Bunashimeji, or Brown Beech. The Institute overcame several difficulties inherent in the culture of King Trumpet mushrooms, and these successes enabled stable mass-production. Many of the Institute’s mushroom varieties are registered on the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry’s list of seeds and seedlings, and many have acquired intellectual property rights, including patents.

The Mushroom General Research Institute is also dedicated to making contributions to life science. Research in mushroom attributes that could prove useful in curing diseases and maintaining good health has led to the development of many mushroom-based health foods and pharmaceutical raw materials.