Скачать или смотреть Hongos or Mushrooms expo in Bogotá

Today we visited a mushroom expo in Bogotá and it genuinely opened my eyes.

In Colombia they’re called hongos, and I had no idea how much is possible with them. Mushrooms used as natural medicine. Mushrooms supporting mental health. Mushrooms for spiritual experiences, focus, or creativity. Mushrooms blended into morning coffee to support immunity and energy. Mushrooms transformed into veggie burgers, sausages, protein products, cosmetics, and even sustainable leather alternatives.

This wasn’t marketing hype. This was science, ancestral knowledge, and Colombian innovation working together.

Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, and that includes fungi. Thousands of mushroom species grow here, many of them still understudied. Indigenous cultures have used Colombian hongos for centuries for healing, food, and ritual purposes. Today, local researchers and small Colombian producers are reconnecting with that knowledge and combining it with modern research.

Some Colombian mushrooms are known to support the immune system. Others are linked to brain health, memory, and emotional balance. Several species are being studied for their potential role in reducing anxiety and depression. And plenty of them are simply excellent food, especially when grilled or used in plant-based cooking.

What stood out most was the respect for nature and for what Colombia already has. No shortcuts. Just smart, local use of natural resources.

Every day in Colombia brings something new to learn.
Today, it was mushrooms.

Carlito Belgian Bogotá
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