Fungi are employed to shroom chocolate wide swathes of the culinary realm, adding earthy umami flavor to soups and stews, risottos and quiches, pizzas and stir-fries. But, despite their widespread popularity, these functional ingredients have yet to break into the sweets and desserts sphere. Until now. Mushroom chocolate is a rising, psychedelic trend that pairs the ancient pairing of mushrooms and cacao (without the hallucinogenic effects) to deliver a mind-bending experience.
Shroom Chocolate: Combining Taste and Psychedelic Experience
The chocolate itself comes in various forms, some containing psychoactive magic mushrooms (also known as Psilocybin) and others with more ‘functional’ mushrooms that are renowned for their health benefits, no hallucinations required. But it’s not just about the mushroom: It’s also about the melding of flavours, textures and nuances, creating a deeply satisfying indulgence that stimulates all the senses.
Making a mushroom chocolate bar requires careful preparation to ensure that the psilocybin is evenly distributed throughout the chocolate mixture. To achieve this, it’s important to keep the temperature below 70degC, the point at which psilocybin starts to break down. This is why it’s important to melt the chocolate first and then add the psilocybin-containing ingredients once the chocolate is already cooling down.
While some people are experimenting with mushroom-infused chocolate for its mood-boosting effects, it’s important to remember that psilocybin is a drug and can lead to unpleasant or dangerous side effects if too much is ingested. Mushroom chocolate is not for beginners and should always be consumed under the guidance of an experienced individual or a trusted harm reduction organization, such as Muse Treatment.