There are so many different types of mushrooms. Mushrooms are the fleshy and edible fruit bodies of many different many fungal species. They appear prominently above-ground, growing on decomposing matter like soil, or on the side of a tree. Mushrooms contain protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant; they are consumed for their nutritional and culinary value. Other varieties can be used for their medicinal benefits to boost your immune system, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and may even be useful for treating cancer and other serious diseases. Although there are many edible mushroom, some mushrooms are dangerous to eat; a few can even kill you. For this reason it is highly recommended to firstly use caution and watch children playing outdoors so they don't eat mushrooms and secondly, NEVER assume it is safe to eat a wild mushroom unless a mushroom expert says so.
Button mushrooms are by far the most common type of mushroom that you’re almost guaranteed to find in your local grocery store. They are also called white mushrooms or baby mushrooms.
Portobellos are full-grown button mushroom and is no longer consider a cremini, rather it's mature name of "Portobello". Their flavour is more intense, because as the mushroom mature and loses their water content, the flavours becomes concentrated.
Enoki mushrooms are very recognizable because it looks like long strings; almost like noodles. It is also known as the golden needle mushroom, lily mushroom or futu mushroom. Enoki Mushroom has a delicate, savoury flavour and a crunch from its thin strands. You can eat it sauteed or raw in salads. Not only is this mushroom incredibly versatile and easy to incorporate in your cooking, but it’s also packed with essential nutrients, antioxidants, fiber and B vitamins in each serving.
Shiitake mushrooms are one of the top mushroom that is considered to have medicinal benefits in traditional Asian medicine. Much like portobellos, they have a meaty texture. They have a smokey, earthy flavour when cooked. Shiitakes are also unique for a plant because they contain all eight essentialamino acids, along with a type of essential fatty acid called linoleic acid. Linoleic acid is known to help with weight loss and building muscle.
Oyster Mushrooms are one of the most common types of cultivated mushrooms in the world. They're also known as pearl oyster mushrooms or tree oyster mushrooms. Oyster mushrooms tend to have a subtle mild flavour, they take on a tender, pleasing texture when cooked. Oyster mushrooms come in several distinct types and each one of them is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that help keep your body healthy and defend against disease.
Shimeji Mushroom are also known as white beech mushrooms. They're often found growing in dead or decaying beech trees, which is where they get their name. They add a rich umami flavour to dishes when cooked. Shimeji Mushroom are best cooked due to them being quite bitter when eaten raw. They are rich in calcium, potassium, phosphorus and iron; which can help manage diabetes, weight and cholesterol.
White fungus is an edible fungus that is also known as snow fungus, silver ear, snow ear, white wood ear, and white jelly mushroom. White fungus commonly grows in Asia but is also found package and sold dried in Asian Food Market throughout North America. White fungus has a sweet taste and bland texture and is traditionally cooked in soups, both sweet and savory. It has been used as a medicinal herb in Chinese medicine for years to promote health and longevity
Tea tree mushroom is also known as the willow mushroom or velvet pioppini. Tea tree mushrooms have a very intense flavour that is almost as strong as shiitake, but more delicate, they add a very nice flavour to stews and soups. Tea tree mushroom offers a good source of protein, as well as 8 different kinds of essential amino acids, abundant of vitamins and minerals. It is native to Asia, it is commonly sold packaged and dried in North America.
Morels are some of the most sought after wild mushrooms because they aren’t farmed and sold in stores many are not familiar with morels. If you’re going looking for them, it’s important to know the difference between the “true" edible safe morels and the "false" poisonous morels. Like every other wild mushroom, you shouldn’t consume them unless you or someone you know is an expert at identifying them.
Chanterelle mushrooms are also an well known wild edible mushrooms. The most common is the golden chanterelle. They have a fruity apricot-like aroma. They largely grow near hardwoods like maple, poplar, and oak. It's look-a-like the Jack O' Lantern mushroom is poisonous but not known to be lethal, using caution highly advised when forging.
Hedgehog mushroom is a very safe mushroom for novice foragers and very tasty too. This mushroom has spines, hence the name Hedgehog. Although hedgehog mushrooms aren’t quite as common as chanterelles, you can often find them growing in the same locations. Hedgehog mushrooms can be found nestling in grass and moss beneath spruce, pine, birch and beech trees between September and December.
Known as Resihi or Lingzhi mushroom is native to East Asia. The lingzhi mushroom is used in traditional Chinese medicine, revered for over 2,000 years. In nature, it grows at the base and stumps of deciduous tress. Lingzhi is most commonly harvested, dried, ground, and processed into tablets or capsules to be directly ingested or made into tea or soups.
Porcini mushroom are also known as king bolete or cèpe in French. They grow naturally. They require no prep other than a quick clean. Porcini mushrooms are often described as nutty and earthy with a meatiness in flavor and texture. Fresh porcini mushrooms have a tender, meaty texture when cooked. Dried porcini add a deep, mushroom flavour to soups or sauces.
Lion's mane is a mushroom that grows on trunks of dead hardwood trees such as oak and can be found on decaying trees throughout Northern United States and Canada. It is a white, globe-shaped fungi that has long shaggy spines that looks that a thick ball of hair. Lion's mane can be enjoyed raw, cooked, dried or steeped as a tea. Chinese and Japanese have been using Lion's Mane for both culinary and medicinal purposes for many years to promote overall health and wellness. Have you tried MUD/WTR it's packed full of .56 grams per serving.
Matsutake mushroom is a rare sought-after wild edible mushroom that grows in East Asia, Europe, and North America. They’re known for their thick, fibrous white flesh and earthy, spicy flavour and aroma unlike any other mushroom. Matsutakes can be prepared similarly to other specialty mushrooms; they can steamed, sauteed, seared, roasted or grilled. However, because of Matsutake unique flavour and how rare they are; you will get the most out of your investment if you treat them gently and let them play the starring role in whatever you are cooking.
Here is a great video we found showing the modern process of both growing and harvesting of fresh mushrooms.
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