Here at Modern Monkey Mushroom Company, we specialize in the cultivation of gourmet mushrooms.

 

We are a home-based operation operating out of Allison Park in the North Pittsburgh area. 

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We currently cultivate multiple Oyster mushroom varieties, two Lions Mane varieties, and two types of Black Poplar (also called “Pioppini”) mushrooms. We plan to add varieties to our offerings as we grow.

Most grocery stores only carry a small variety of mushrooms. This is due to the fact that most mushrooms are more fragile and harder to grow than traditional button mushrooms. Because of this, many people are only familiar with a few common varieties, and often have the assumption that mushrooms all taste similar or that they do not carry a lot of  nutritional value.

 

It is our goal to use our cultivation skills to provide a staple that will help bring awareness to the benefits of incorporating mushrooms into a regular diet. 

 

Mushrooms contain protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Not only are they delicious, they have a variety of health benefits too!

Modern Monkey Mushroom Company began as a hobby in 2017 for owner and head cultivator, Tyler Elder. Curious about the different flavors and possibilities of exotic mushrooms, but unable to find many varieties in local stores, he started looking into growing his own mushrooms at home.

 

Not long after becoming a self-taught mushroom grower, Tyler, became unhappy with mundane factory work, and dreamed of owning his own business where he could provide a valuable service. In 2019 he began to develop the concept for Modern Monkey Mushroom Company with the goal of giving local restaurants an opportunity to have access to mushrooms that were not readily available in the local market before.

Our company name comes from Tyler's lifelong interest in primates. As a child he was captivated by the concept that humans were related to monkeys and apes within the great tree of life. As Tyler got older, he enjoyed reading about ancient cultures, as well as any information he could find about prehistoric humans. Over the years he has developed a fascination for the evolution of humanity.

 

Tyler liked to imagine the first “pre-humans” leaving their treetop hideaways to walk upright on the ground. When one of them first spoke, what was that like? How did the others react? Was it quick to catch on, or was it discouraged at first, like rock n’ roll music? Those first words, whatever they may have been, changed everything. Humanity's ability to communicate with words, spoken and written, has allowed the organization and cooperation of peoples over time, and transformed the landscapes of the Earth forever.

 

Tyler believed that his company's name should embody this core concept. Collaborating with help from friends, he envisions his company making a positive impact, educating others about the benefits of mushrooms, and bringing a wider offering to the greater Pittsburgh area. Modern Monkey Mushroom Company’s name honors those first speakers and the cooperation that ensued to get us all to where we are today.