Funghi Valentina: fresh organic mushroom products from Bologna

The story behind Funghi Valentina

The story of the Italian family business Funghi Valentina began some forty years ago, as the brainchild of Oriano Borghi, now in his fifties. His passion for the lowlands of Bologna stems from a childhood spent fishing for frogs and playing among hay bales and endless wheat fields. From this fertile context, Oriano wanted to start growing fresh mushrooms, an industry that was just emerging in Italy in the late 1970s. In 1980, near Bologna, Funghi Valentina was born and dedicated to his little daughter Valentina. With 10 conventional rooms and 20 modern rooms, Funghi Valentina is one of the largest mushroom farms in Italy, growing around 3 million kg of fresh, organic prataiolo (Agaricus bisporus) each year.

Mushrooms are like people; to flourish they need oxygen and a warm bed.

Why buy mushroom products from Funghi Valentina?

The products of mushrooms of Funghi Valentina are:

Organic and free of chemical additives
Traceable production from start to finish
Tasty, diverse and healthy
Pronounced Mediterranean flavours

Read more about Funghi Valentina's delicious mushroom products...

How are the edible mushrooms produced?

The edible mushrooms are cultivated in large, dark rooms in large racks containing compost. The cultivation accurately imitates the microclimate of the undergrowth. After about 15 days, a fluffy web of white threads grows on the soil. When the first buds appear, the temperature is lowered. And then the real big work begins for the little mushroom, in which they form, grow, ripen, are harvested and then grow again during three fructifications. The whole cycle takes 35 days, from sowing to the exhaustion of the compost from the cultivation. The finished compost is an excellent soil improver for agriculture, thanks to the mineral salts released by the fungus.

Mushrooms: plant food with remarkable qualities

Even though mushrooms consist of approximately 90% water, they have many important qualities. They are low in calories, low in fat and have a higher protein content than many other plant foods. In particular, the proteins of the mushroom are a good source of two essential amino acids: lysine and tryptophan. They contain many minerals, such as selenium, potassium, copper, iron and phosphorus. Mushrooms are also rich in B vitamins: riboflavin [B2], folate [B9], thiamin [B1], pantothenic acid [B5] and niacin [B3]. These substances ensure that your body actually absorbs the energy from the food we consume. Moreover, mushrooms produce red blood cells that transport oxygen through the body.

What kind of mushroom products does Funghi Valentina produce?

The range of mushrooms produced by Funghi Valentina is very diverse. Their range includes, besides fresh mushrooms, also mushrooms dried at a temperature of 38°, which are considered Raw Food, delicious mushroom preparations with herbs, spices and pronounced (Mediterranean) flavours, and mushroom-based (protein and fibre) seasonings.