⚖️ UK Legal Notice: This guide is for learning and research only. Psilocybe cubensis spores do not have psilocybin or psilocin in them, so they are legal to buy in the UK for research under a microscope. Growing spores into full mushrooms is against the law under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Always follow UK law. See our 2026 UK Legal Guide for more.
⚡ Quick Answer
Albino A+ is a pale-coloured type of Psilocybe cubensis, bred to have far less of the pigment (colouring) that most cubensis strains have. The spores measure 11–15 x 7–11 micrometres, slightly smaller than reference strains like Golden Teacher, and have a shape that's more see-through and less richly coloured than usual. This makes Albino A+ genuinely useful for studying how pigment genetics work in this species, but it also makes the spores harder to spot under a normal microscope. This guide covers the genetics behind the pale colour, what the spores look like, how it compares to other strains, and how to store your syringe correctly.11–15µmSpore length — smaller than most cubensis strains
ModerateHow many spores you typically get
Phase ContrastBest microscope method for pale spores
AdvancedHow hard it is to study
Jump to a section
1. The Science Behind the Pale Colour
2. What the Spores Look Like
3. Why It's Trickier to Study
4. Comparing It to Other Strains
5. How to Prepare a Slide
6. How to Store It
FAQ1. The Science Behind the Pale Colour
Albino A+ is a cultivar — a specific variety — of Psilocybe cubensis, the same species as Golden Teacher, B+, and Penis Envy. What sets it apart is a genetic trait that reduces the amount of pigment (colouring) the mushroom and its spores produce.Most cubensis spores are a strong dark purple-brown. That colour comes from pigments in the spore's outer wall. Albino A+ has much less of this pigment, giving it a pale, sometimes almost see-through appearance, both in the mushroom itself and in its spores.
ℹ️ Key Science Fact — Albino A+, Golden Teacher, B+, and Penis Envy are all the exact same species: Psilocybe cubensis. The pale colour comes from a difference in pigment genetics between varieties, not from being a different species.
2. What Albino A+ Spores Look Like Under the Microscope
Albino A+ spores share the same basic oval shape and germ pore (a small thin spot on the spore where it would sprout from) as other cubensis strains, but the pale colour genuinely changes how you need to look at them.Size
11–15 × 7–11µm
Slightly smaller than Golden Teacher on average. Still visible at 400x, though the pale colour makes them less obvious at a glance.
Shape
Oval, See-Through
Same basic oval shape as other cubensis spores, but much more translucent (see-through) due to the lack of pigment.
Colour
Pale, Faded
A far lighter version of the usual dark purple-brown colour — sometimes almost colourless depending on the sample.
Wall
Standard Thickness
Similar to other cubensis strains — the difference is in colour, not wall thickness.
Germ Pore
Harder to Spot
Present, but the low contrast against the pale spore body makes it trickier to see clearly than on darker strains.
How Many Spores
Moderate
Not as heavy a spore deposit as high-yield strains, but more than genuinely rare strains like Penis Envy.
Why Ordinary Lighting Makes This Strain Tricky
Most cubensis spores stand out easily because of their strong dark colour against a bright background. Albino A+ spores don't have that natural contrast, so they can be genuinely hard to spot with a standard microscope light setup.
✅ What to Look for First — If you're struggling to see Albino A+ spores clearly with normal lighting, that's expected, not a mistake on your part. Many researchers use a technique called phase contrast microscopy, which is designed to show up transparent or pale samples much more clearly.
3. Why Is Albino A+ Trickier to Study?
Low Contrast
The pale colour means spores don't stand out clearly against a bright background the way darker strains do.Needs Special Lighting
Phase contrast microscopy (a technique that improves contrast for see-through samples) gives much clearer results than standard lighting alone.Genuinely Useful for Genetics Study
Because the pigment difference is so clear, Albino A+ is a good subject for anyone specifically interested in colour genetics in this species.Best After Some Practice
Since spotting the spores takes more care, this strain is usually easier to work with once you already have solid microscope basics from an easier strain.4. How Albino A+ Compares to Other UK Strains
| Strain | Spore Size (µm) | Shape | How Many Spores | Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albino A+ | 11–15 × 7–11 | Oval, see-through | Moderate | Advanced | Pigment genetics study |
| Golden Teacher | 11–17 × 7–12 | Oval, very consistent | Very High | Beginner | Your first ever slide |
| Blue Meanies | 10–14 × 6–10 | Oval, compact | Moderate | Intermediate | Comparing colours |
| Penis Envy | 11–17 × 7–12 | Oval, thicker walls | Low — rare | Advanced | Studying the gene mutation |
Albino A+ vs Golden Teacher — A Useful Colour Contrast
This is one of the best pairings for learning how much colour can vary within a single species. Both strains share a similar oval shape and size range, but Golden Teacher's strong dark colour and Albino A+'s pale, faded appearance make an easy side-by-side comparison for understanding pigment differences.Albino A+ vs Blue Meanies — Two Different Kinds of Tricky
Blue Meanies is harder to work with mainly because its spores are smaller and less densely packed. Albino A+ is harder because of low colour contrast rather than size. Neither is more "difficult" in a technical sense — they just ask for different kinds of care.5. How to Prepare an Albino A+ Slide
Because the low colour contrast is the main challenge here, lighting and focus technique matter more than usual.What You'll Need
- A microscope — 400x zoom at least, 1000x with oil is even better
- Phase contrast setup, if available (helps a lot with this strain)
- Glass slides (25×75mm)
- Coverslips (small glass squares that go on top, #1.5, 0.17mm thick)
- Type B immersion oil, for the 1000x zoom
- Alcohol wipes and lens tissue, for cleaning
- Your Albino A+ spore syringe
- A notebook to write down what you see
1
Clean your slide — Wipe it with alcohol and lens tissue, then let it dry fully before you use it.
2
Mix the syringe well — Roll it in your hands and shake it for 15–20 seconds to spread the spores evenly.
3
Add one small drop — About 0.05ml, right in the middle of the slide.
4
Put the coverslip on at an angle — Tilt it to about 45 degrees and lower it slowly to avoid bubbles.
5
Turn the light down slightly — Full brightness can wash out pale spores even more. Try reducing the light a bit, or closing the condenser slightly, to improve contrast.
6
Use phase contrast if you can — At 1000x with oil, phase contrast (a lighting method for see-through samples) will show the spore shape and germ pore far more clearly than standard lighting.
⚠️ One Thing to Remember — Always put the needle cap back on right after use. This applies to every strain, but it's worth a reminder since Albino A+ syringes can be a bit trickier to find than common beginner strains.
6. How to Store Your Albino A+ Spore Syringe
Standard storage rules apply here — nothing about the pale colour changes how you should keep it.| What | What to Do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | Keep it at 2–8°C (a normal fridge) | Slows down germs without harming the spores |
| Freezing | Never freeze it | Ice damages the spores for good |
| Light | Keep it in the dark | Light slowly wears the spores down over time |
| Position | Store it upright, with the needle cap on | Stops the spores from settling in the wrong place |
| How long it lasts | 12–18 months if stored well | After that, the spores start to break down |
✅ Before Each Use — Let it warm to room temperature first, then shake it for 15–20 seconds before opening, just like any other strain.
Ready to Get Started?
Tripping Store's Albino A+ spore syringes are made under clean, sterile conditions in the UK, with verified genetics — giving you a genuinely useful strain for studying pigment genetics once you're ready to move past the basics.Frequently Asked Questions
QIs Albino A+ legal to buy in the UK?
Yes. Albino A+ spore syringes are legal to buy and own in the UK for research under a microscope, since spores don't contain psilocybin.
QWhy does Albino A+ look so pale?
A genetic trait reduces the amount of pigment (colouring) it produces, giving both the mushroom and its spores a much lighter, sometimes almost see-through appearance.
QHow big are Albino A+ spores?
11–15 x 7–11 micrometres — slightly smaller than Golden Teacher's typical size range.
QIs Albino A+ good for beginners?
Not usually the best first strain. The pale colour makes spores harder to spot with normal lighting, so it suits people who already have some microscope practice.
QWhat is phase contrast microscopy?
A lighting technique that improves contrast for pale or see-through samples, making it much easier to see faint details like the shape and germ pore of Albino A+ spores.
QHow long does an Albino A+ spore syringe last?
If you store it right, in the fridge at 2–8°C, it should stay usable for 12–18 months.
QDo you ship Albino A+ spore syringes worldwide?
Yes, we ship across the UK and internationally, with discreet, tracked packaging.
