MSSF Meetings

On the third Tuesday of each month from September thru May, the Mycological Society of San Francisco has a General Meeting at the Randall Museum in San Francisco.

The highlight of each meeting is a speaker with slides on some aspect of mycology and mushrooming: ecology, taxonomy, mycophagy, sociology, etc. Before each meeting members bring collections which are put on display and identified. Refreshments are served before the meeting.
  • Doors open and identification starts at 6:30 pm.
  • Announcements begin at 7:30 pm, followed by the presentation.
  • Note: General Meetings are open to the public.
    • If a meeting is expected to be so popular that attendance would exceed room capacity in the Randall Museum Theater, reserved seating is instituted and there may be an admission fee for non-members.
    • Meetings will also be available via Zoom
  • Randall Museum Map & Directions

Eleana Hsu

Eleana Hsu
  • Talk Title: Ancient Fungi, Modern Magic: The Story of Koji

  • Meeting date and time:
    7:30 pm PST, Tuesday, October 21st, 2025

  • Individuals may attend in-person, beginning at 6:30pm, for mushroom ID, refreshments and social interaction in the Buckley Room of the Randall Museum

  • Virtually: At 7:30pm, you will be able to join the group for the evening's presentation virtually. Join the Zoom Meeting
    • Meeting ID: 891 8438 9640
    • Passcode: 608192
    • Zoom Link

Title:

Ancient Fungi, Modern Magic: The Story of Koji

Talk Description:

Let's dive deep into the magical world of fungi and fermentation spotlighting koji - an ancient fungi whose role has affected human civilization for over 2,500 years. In this talk, we will learn what koji is, and its historical significance in food preservation. Learn how a fungus is able to ferment simple ingredients into extraordinary flavors and why this magical fungus graces the menus of some of the best restaurants in the world. 


Biography:

Eleana Hsu is the co-founder of Shared Cultures, a small-batch fermentation company based in San Francisco specializing in miso, shoyu, and umami-rich seasonings. Her passion for fermentation began with a deep love of foraging and preserving wild mushrooms—a practice that continues to influence and inspire her craft today. Shared Cultures’ handcrafted ferments are enjoyed by everyone from Michelin-starred chefs to home cooks who appreciate thoughtful, locally sourced ingredients and time-honored techniques.


Parasol mushroom

2025 Meetings

2024 Meetings

2023 Meetings

2022 Meetings

  • Tuesday, November 15, 2022 video
  • Tuesday, October 18, 2022 video
  • Tuesday, September 20, 2022 video
  • No meetings June-August
  • Tuesday, May 17, 2022 video
  • Tuesday, April 19, 2022 video
  • Tuesday, March 15, 2022 video
  • Tuesday, February 15, 2022
  • Tuesday, January 18, 2022

2021 Meetings

  • Tuesday, December 21, 2021
  • Tuesday, November 16, 2021
  • Tuesday, October 19, 2021
  • Tuesday, September 21, 2021
  • No meetings June-August
  • Tuesday, May 18, 2021
  • Tuesday, April 20, 2021
  • Tuesday, March 16, 2021
  • Tuesday, February 16, 2021
  • Tuesday, January 19, 2021

2020 Meetings

  • Tuesday, December 15, 2020
  • Tuesday, November 17, 2020
  • Tuesday, October 20, 2020
  • Tuesday, September 15, 2020
  • No meetings June-August
  • Tuesday, May 19, 2020
  • Tuesday, April 21, 2020 - cancelled due to COVID-19
  • Tuesday, March 17, 2020
  • Tuesday, February 18, 2020
  • Tuesday, January 21, 2020

2019 Meetings

  • No meeting in December, Fungus Fair on Sunday, December 8, 2019
  • Tuesday, November 19, 2019
  • Tuesday, October 15, 2019
  • Tuesday, September 17, 2019
  • No meetings June-August
  • Tuesday, May 21, 2019
  • Tuesday, April 16, 2019
  • Tuesday, March 19, 2019
  • Tuesday, February 19, 2019
  • Tuesday, January 15, 2019

2018 Meetings

  • No meeting in December
  • Tuesday, November 20, 2018
  • Tuesday, October 15, 2018
  • Tuesday, September 17, 2018
  • No meetings June-August
  • Tuesday, May 21, 2018
  • Tuesday, April 17, 2018
  • Tuesday, March 20, 2018
  • Tuesday, February 20, 2018
  • Tuesday, January 16, 2018

2017 Meetings

  • No meeting in December
  • Tuesday, November 21, 2017
  • Tuesday, October 17, 2017
  • Tuesday, September 19, 2017
  • No meetings June-August
  • Tuesday, May 16, 2017
  • Tuesday, April 18, 2017
  • Tuesday, March 21, 2017
  • Tuesday, February 21, 2017
  • Tuesday, January 17, 2017

2016 Meetings

  • No meeting in December
  • Tuesday, November 15, 2016
  • Tuesday, October 18, 2016
  • Tuesday, September 20, 2016
  • No meetings June-August
  • Tuesday, May 17, 2016
  • Tuesday, April 19, 2016
  • Tuesday, March 15, 2016
  • Tuesday, February 16, 2016
  • Tuesday, January 19, 2016

2015 Meetings

  • No meeting in December
  • Tuesday, November 17, 2015
  • Tuesday, October 20, 2015
  • Tuesday, September 15, 2015 2015 video
  • No meetings June-August
  • Tuesday, May 19, 2015
  • Tuesday, April 21, 2015
  • Tuesday, March 17, 2015
  • Tuesday, February 17, 2015
  • Tuesday, January 20, 2015

2014 Meetings

  • No meeting in December
  • Tuesday, November 18, 2014
  • Tuesday, October 21, 2014
  • Tuesday, September 16, 2014 video
  • No meetings June-August
  • Tuesday, May 20, 2014
  • Tuesday, April 15, 2014 video
  • Tuesday, March 18, 2014 video
  • Tuesday, February 18, 2014 video
  • Tuesday, January 21, 2014 video

2013 Meetings

  • No meeting in December
  • Tuesday, November 19, 2013 video
  • Tuesday, October 15, 2013 video
  • Tuesday, September 17, 2013 Talk "&" Slides
  • No meetings June-August
  • Tuesday, May 21, 2013 video
  • Tuesday, April 16, 2013 video 1 video 2
  • Tuesday, March 19, 2013 video
  • Tuesday, February 19, 2013
  • Tuesday, January 15, 2013