Malabar Coast Mushroom | Strain & Cultivation Guide

Background: Malabar Coast Strain

History of Malabar Coast (P. Cubensis) 

The Malabar Coast Strain of P. Cubensis boasts a fascinating history deeply rooted in the mystical traditions of India. Originating from the lush coastal regions of Southwest India, this magical mushroom has been revered for centuries for its profound spiritual and medicinal properties. In ancient Vedic texts & folklore, references to the sacred use of this psychedelic mushroom can be found in many contexts, indicating the deep cultural significance psilocybin mushrooms. Whether or not they were referring to this exact strain, we'll never know. 

Magic mushrooms were not only used for sacred ceremony, but they were used as a medicinal tool to conquer "sickly energies" & mental disarray as well. Passed down through oral traditions and shrouded in mysticism, this strain has become a lesser known part of India's cultural heritage, slowly making its way back into mainstream conversation. 

Today, the Malabar Coast Strain has been distributed world-wide thanks to the legal sale of Spore Syringes in the USA and Europe. While it was once reserved for spiritual ceremony, the Malabar Coast's popularity has evolved with the times and is now widely available. Within 5 minutes, you can order Malabar Spore Syringes to your door. Welcome to the future, folks! 

Identification & Physical Traits

Identifying Malabar mushrooms is relatively difficult, as they share many physical characteristics with other strains. These mushrooms produce clay-like, faintly spotted brown caps that create thin, lengthy-veils. One unique trait is that it produces smaller caps that won’t tear the veil until fully opened. Even after caps flatten a bit, the veils may not tear until the mushroom reaches complete maturity. 

You can also identify this mushroom by taking spore prints. The spores of the Malabar Coast strain are sub-ellipsoid on 4-spored basidia, and have dark, purple to brownish spores.

One last thing... P. Cubensis strains like the Malabar Coast mushroom will turn blue when bruised. By squeezing the stem and looking to see if it bruises a deep blue color, you can confirm that it is in fact a psilocybin containing mushroom. 

Natural Habitat

As a strain of Psilocybe cubensis, the natural habitat of Malabar Coast mushrooms is typically warm, humid climates, such as those found in southern India in moist, coastal areas. They can often be found growing in grassy fields, on decomposing plant material, and in cow pastures. Malabar Coast mushrooms are known to thrive in subtropical regions with frequent rainfall and warm temperatures, and they can grow in a variety of soil types. In nature, the growth cycle of Malabar Coast mushrooms is triggered by warm temperatures and a sudden increase in humidity, which can occur after a period of rain or heavy fog. However, with the proper conditions and equipment, Malabar Coast mushrooms can also be cultivated indoors, making them a popular choice among home cultivators.

While there are some subtle differences for each strain, you can pretty much use the natural habitat of all P. Cubensis strains as the benchmark here. 

Uses & Effects

How to Enjoy Malabar Coast Mushrooms

There are many ways to consume Malabar Coast mushrooms, depending on your personal preferences and the desired effects. Some popular methods include:

• Eating fresh mushrooms on their own or mixed into a meal.
• Drying and then powdering the mushrooms for use in teas, pill capsules, or as an addition to other foods. This also allows for long-term storage.
• Brewing Malabar Coast mushroom tea by boiling dried or fresh mushrooms in water for 15-20 minutes, then straining the liquid and drinking it.
• Incorporating Malabar Coast mushrooms into smoothies or other drinks to mask the taste.

Regardless of how you choose to consume Malabar Coast mushrooms, it is essential to start with a low dose and proceed with caution, as the effects can be potent and long-lasting. For some shelf-life directions regarding p. cubensis mushrooms, check out this article.

Dosing Recommendations 

When it comes to dosing India's magic mushroom, the Malabar Coast strain, it is important to start with a low dose and gradually increase as needed. The strength of the mushrooms can vary widely depending on the strain, growing conditions, and other factors, so it is always best to err on the side of caution. For beginners, a small dose of .5 to 1.5 grams of dried mushrooms is recommended, while more experienced users may choose to take three to five grams or more for a stronger experience. It is also important to consider factors such as body weight, tolerance, and individual sensitivity when determining the appropriate dosage. Additionally, it is recommended to have a trusted friend or sitter present during the experience to provide support and assistance if needed.

Also note that Malabar Coast mushrooms have a different potency per each individual mushroom. To get a consistent dose, you can powder all the mushrooms together, mix thoroughly, and divide them up into portions by weight. Each portion will have an average potency of all of the mushrooms combined. 

Potency & Psychedelic Effects

The effects of Malabar Coast mushrooms can vary widely depending on the dosage and individual sensitivity. Some potential effects include:

• Visual and auditory hallucinations
• Changes in perception of time and space
• Deep introspection 
• Ability to connect with the energies of "ancestral spirits"
• Altered thought patterns and beliefs
• Intense feelings of euphoria or anxiety*
• Physical effects such as pupil dilation, increased heart rate, and changes in body temperature.

*It is important to note that while some people may find these effects enjoyable and therapeutic, others may experience very negative effects such as paranoia, confusion, or panic. It is essential to approach the use of Malabar Coast mushrooms with caution and to ensure a safe and supportive environment for the experience.

Cultivation Of The Malabar Coast Strain 

Is Malabar Coast Easy To Grow?

While no mushroom is necessarily "easy" to grow, the Malabar Coast strain of P. Cubensis is one of the more welcoming for cultivators. Quick mycelial colonization, high resistance to temperature & contamination, and manageable fruiting conditions make this strain a hardy, reliable choice for mycologists. 

What Are the Malabar Coast Fruiting Conditions? 

The fruiting conditions for Malabar Coast mushrooms are similar to those of other strains of P. Cubensis. In order to produce fruiting bodies, the mycelium must be prepared in a bulk substrate such as a mix of vermiculite, coco coir, gypsum and water. The substrate should be pasteurized to prevent contamination by other fungi or bacteria. Once the mycelium has colonized the substrate, you can initiate fruiting conditions which include  high humidity and good air exchange. A temperature range of 75-85°F (24-29°C) is ideal for fruiting, and light is also necessary for the mushrooms to develop properly. Indirect sunlight works, or you can get fancy with an artificial lighting setup. Fruiting can take several days to several weeks, depending on the growing conditions and the strain of the mushrooms. With proper care and attention to these fruiting conditions, it is possible to produce a bountiful harvest of MC mushrooms.

Recommended Substrates for STB (Spawned to Bulk) 

For Malabar mushrooms, we'd recommend using CVG which is Coco Coir, Vermiculite, and Gypsum. The purpose of CVG substrate is to maintain water capacity, providing an optimal growth medium for your spawn. It mimics the wet & humid environments in India from which this strain originated. If you are more advanced, feel free to get creative with your substrates by experimenting with different formulas. 

Recommended Growing Method for Malabar Coast Mushrooms

There are a lot of ways to grow mushrooms. For MC mushrooms, we'd recommend creating cultures in agar, inoculating sterilized grain, and then moving spawn to a bulk substrate (STB) to initiate fruiting. 

Growing Process (11 Steps) 

Note: This section is only permitted & intended for those in areas where growing P. Cubensis mushrooms is legal. Please contact your local government prior to reading this information. All information is for educational purposes ONLY, and should not be performed at home.  

1. Set your intention: Do you want to grow for consumption (illegal in the USA), microscopy, for spore collection, or something else? Defining your intention will help you optimize your set-up. 

2. Obtain Malabar Coast Spores or Cultures: You can obtain mushroom spores or a spawn from a variety of sources, including online retailers and specialty gardening stores. Make sure that the spores or spawn are fresh and of high quality with no contamination. At Eden shrooms, contamination should be the least of your issues. MC spawn is illegal for purchase in the USA & many other places, so you'll likely need to go with spores. 

3. Choose an inoculation medium: Many begin their process by inoculating agar plates with their syringe to create mycelium, and then move that mycelium to sterilized grain to create spawn. This article has more information on inoculating agar. If you don't want to go the agar route, you can inject spores or liquid culture directly onto sterile grain, or into an all-in-one grow bag. For MC mushrooms, however, we'd recommend starting with agar, and moving the mycelium to sterile rye grain in a jar. The agar method makes it easier to detect early contamination, and it allows you to select the healthiest mycelium to transfer. Before you perform that task, however, there is still work to be done. 

4. Sterilize the Grain: To prevent contamination, it is important to sterilize the grain you picked before adding the mushroom spores or culture. This can be done by putting rye grain into a jar and then using a pressure cooker. Once sterilized, you can prepare your grain jars to be introduced with spores or mycelium culture, depending on if you began with agar or not. 

5. Introduce the Mycelium or Spores: If you began with agar, you will have some mycelium on the plate that you can move to your jar. Just flame-sterilize a scalpel, remove some tissue from the plate, and place it onto the grain. If you didn't use agar, simply inject the full syringe at different angles into the sterile grain. Make sure to be extremely clean during this process. Now, your mycelium or spores have met their nutrient-rich fuel source, and will begin to expand. 

6. Provide the right environment for colonization: At this point, you need to let your mycelium colonize the grain, which requires specific conditions. MC require a humid, dark environment with consistent temperature and low air circulation to grow. Many have recommended 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit as a relatively safe range for your mycelium to colonize the grain. Keep extremely clean, and be patient. 

7. Shake & Break: Once your mycelium has colonized about 20% of the grain, you should shake up the jar to increase exposure points between mycelium & grain. Then, wait for the rest to be colonized. 
8. Move grain spawn to pasteurized bulk substrate (STB): After the mycelium has fully colonized the rye grain, it will have formed a brick-like "cake" of mycelium. At this point, it's time to transfer your spawn to a bulk substrate. Common practice is to crumble up & mix your grain spawn with a CVG bulk substrate in your mono-tub. Using bulk substrate in a monotub can be confusing, so this guide should help you considerably. Make sure to pasteurize any monotub contents before adding spawn. Pasteurization will kill most of the microbes in your substrate, but not all, which is desirable so that remaining bacteria can ward off unwanted contaminants. 
9. Initiate fruiting conditions: At this point, your grain spawn has been moved to a monotub and you need to initiate fruiting conditions in order for mushrooms to pin. To do this, you should always make sure to keep your substrate moist, introduce fresh air exchange (but not too much), and keep your mushrooms in indirect sunlight or artificial light. If you nail fruiting conditions and keep sterile, your mushrooms should start pinning and maturing! 

10. Harvest the mushrooms: MC mushrooms are best to harvest just after they break their veil. If you want to collect spore prints, you'll need to harvest once the caps completely flatten out. When the mushrooms are ready to harvest, carefully twist and pull them off at the base. Do not cut them off, as the exposed stumps become vectors for contamination. 

11. Get A 2nd, 3rd, maybe 4th flush: After you harvest your first mushrooms, you still have some work left to do! At this point, you have a "cake" that formed with the bulk substrate in the monotub. You can let your "cake" continue to exist in its current conditions while maintaining humidity and fresh air exchange. That may be enough to see another flush. Or, if your cake appears to be too dry, you can dunk the cake in sterile water and put it back into the tub to try again.

Remember, this information is NOT supposed to be replicated in the United States, or any country where Psilocybin is federally illegal. Rather, it is to educate those who are curious about the growing processes of Malabar Coast Mushrooms and may consider studying them further. 

Acquiring Malabar Coast Spores 

Where to Buy Malabar Coast Spores

EdenShrooms is the best place to buy Malabar Coast spore syringes due to their high-quality and contamination-free syringes, affordable prices, user-friendly website, fast and discreet shipping, and exceptional customer service. However, Eden's spore syringes are for microscopy only, as cultivation is illegal in the USA. With a wide selection of strains and a commitment to quality, EdenShrooms is the top choice for anyone looking to buy MC spore syringes.

How to Collect MC Spores

Once you have fresh Malabar Coast mushrooms in your possession, you could always collect your own spores as well. A great way to do that is by taking a spore print, and saving for future use. 

Conclusion & Legal Status

In conclusion, Malabar Coast mushrooms are a popular strain of P. Cubensis that are known for their small, clay-brown caps and potent effects that will connect you to the spirits of ancient India. While their legal status varies depending on location, they are generally illegal in many parts of the world. It is important to always check local laws and regulations before growing, possessing, or consuming Malabar Coast mushrooms. However, for those in areas where they are legal, MC mushrooms can be a fascinating and rewarding addition to any mycology hobbyist's collection. With proper growing techniques and responsible consumption, they can provide a unique and enlightening experience.

Disclaimer: We offer Psilocybin mushroom spores intended for microscopy and taxonomy purposes only. Images & Text provided are for informational and educational reference only and originate from cultivators and labs outside of the USA. Buying magic mushroom spores is legal in the United States. However, cultivation of magic mushrooms, which includes all psilocybin and psilocin containing mushroom species, is illegal in many countries, including the United States. Please check your local regulations to ensure that you are following the law properly.