Cook Eat Repeat - Merryhill Mushrooms Kit Review

3rd November 2025

Cook Eat Repeat Reviews Our Shiitake Mushroom Growing Kits

A kitchen packed full of shiitake mushrooms and endless recipe possibilities

When Cook Eat Repeat received our Shiitake mushroom growing kits, they experienced something wonderful – an overwhelming abundance of fresh shiitake mushrooms that filled their kitchen. Here's their complete review of what it's really like to grow shiitake mushrooms at home with Merryhill Mushrooms.

A Kitchen Full of Shiitake Mushrooms

As Cook Eat Repeat describes it: their kitchen became packed full of shiitake mushrooms. Thanks to a delivery quirk, they ended up with two shiitake logs ready for harvest at the same time, which meant an incredible abundance of fresh mushrooms – in their fridge, pantry, work surfaces, freezer soups, and practically everywhere they looked.

This overwhelming success speaks volumes about the productivity of our growing kits. When they say they can confidently confirm the kit delivers a really big crop, they're speaking from delicious experience.

What They Loved About Our Shiitake Kits

Clear, Pictorial Instructions

The instructions are clear, pictorial and excellent, making the entire growing process straightforward and accessible.

Complete Kit

Everything you need is provided – the log, the humidity bag and the fungi. Nothing essential is missing.

Easy to Grow

Simple care requirements – keep out of direct light and keep moist. That's it.

Sizeable Crops

Each crop was substantial, with enough mushrooms to feed a small army.

Versatile and Easy to Prep

Cleaning and prepping the fungi was easy, and they proved incredibly versatile in the kitchen.

The Growing Process: Simple Setup

The shiitake growing kits arrive in a sealed bag, with each kit including a log covered in soil impregnated with the fungus, plus a large plastic humidity bag designed to maintain the perfect moisture level.

Setup is straightforward – simply remove the delivery plastic and lift the log into the humidity bag. Cook Eat Repeat found this to be "a doddle" and notes that while it's probably the messiest part of the process, it's nothing to worry about.

Shiitake Mushroom Kit in sealed bag

Space Considerations

Each log is a good size, and the humidity bag makes the space needed even larger. It's worth preparing a suitable space for your mushrooms before unwrapping everything – Cook Eat Repeat placed theirs in their pantry alongside their Lion's Mane kit.

Daily Care Routine

Once set up, the care routine is remarkably simple: spray with water once in the morning and again in the evening. Nothing too soggy, just a few squirts to ensure nothing dries out. Then comes the exciting part – watching the fungal caps pop out and spread.

Impressive Growth Speed

While the instructions suggest mushrooms will begin to show within two weeks, Cook Eat Repeat's shiitake were fruiting within just five days.

The first signs are little caps pushing through the soil – the log looks like it has small bumps. Gradually the caps grow, gain stalks, and spread until they're ready to pick. The process is fascinating to watch and surprisingly quick.

Harvesting is made easy with our comprehensive instructions, which include multiple pictures showing the many different appearances that ripe shiitake can take. Clear advice is provided on how to remove the mushroom at the root of the stalk, maximising your chances of getting a second harvest.

Cooking With Fresh Shiitake

Cook Eat Repeat put their abundant harvest to excellent use across a wide range of recipes. Shiitake mushrooms are incredibly versatile in the kitchen, particularly popular in Asian cuisine where they add depth and umami flavour.

Recipe Ideas from Their Kitchen

Cook Eat Repeat used their shiitake harvest in:

Ramen bowls

Mushroom soup (some frozen for later)

Sweetcorn and mushroom soup

Onigiri (Japanese rice balls)

Vietnamese summer rolls (sliced thinly)

Rice cooker one-pot rice dishes

They note that fresh shiitake aren't the type of mushroom you'd have on toast, but they're absolutely delicious in soups, ramens, or sliced very thinly and added to various Asian-inspired dishes. The good news? They're so versatile that you'll have no trouble using up even the most generous harvest.

The Final Recommendation

"Overall this Grow Your Own mushroom kit has been excellent. The crops have been substantial, and we've struggled to keep up with the volume of mushrooms we harvested from each log. They are worth the investment, as they're fun, sustainable and delicious." - Cook Eat Repeat

Cook Eat Repeat found the process extremely simple and effective, with substantial crops that exceeded their expectations. While they noted the humidity bag could be a bit floppy (requiring it to be rolled in a specific way), they emphasised this was a minor quibble in an otherwise excellent experience.

Their review confirms what we strive to deliver: a fun, sustainable, and productive way to grow your own gourmet mushrooms at home, with clear instructions and impressive results that make the small investment well worth it.

Crop of Shiitake Mushrooms

Frequently Asked Questions from Their Review

How long does it take for shiitake mushrooms to grow?

Cook Eat Repeat found that mushrooms started sprouting after around 3 days of setup and were ready to harvest within 8-10 days. While we typically advise around 14 days, their experience shows that conditions can allow for even faster growth.

Do I need special equipment?

Everything you need to grow the mushrooms is included in the kit except for a way to water the log. A simple spray bottle or mister that provides soft but consistent water coverage is ideal. You want to keep the log moist without drowning it.

Can I reuse the kit after it finishes producing mushrooms?

Once the kit has finished producing mushrooms, the best thing to do is crumble it up and add the soil to your compost or garden. Mycelium is an excellent addition and will improve soil health throughout your garden, making it a sustainable choice from start to finish.

About Cook Eat Repeat

Cook Eat Repeat is a UK-based food blog dedicated to sharing honest reviews, creative recipes, and practical cooking advice. With a focus on real-world testing and genuine experiences, they help their readers discover new ingredients, products, and cooking techniques. Their thorough approach to product reviews, combined with their culinary expertise, makes them a trusted voice in the UK food community. We're thrilled that they chose to feature our shiitake mushroom growing kits and that their experience showcased the abundance and quality our kits can deliver.