Edible Mushroom FAQ
Fungi Facts - Taste, Nutrition, Health Benefits, Storage and Growing
Sep 9, 2009
Mushrooms are fascinating, but there are also many misconceptions about them.
Are all mushrooms slimy?
No, all mushrooms are not "slimy". There are very different textures in the mushroom kingdom. Many mushrooms are more chewy, some even nearly crunchy, such as many russulas. Canned mushrooms tend to be "slimiest" while reconstituted dried mushrooms are less so.
What is the best-tasting mushroom?
Truffles are the most expensive ones, but they are used more like a spice. Common favorites include shiitakes, oyster mushrooms, porcini, chanterelles, black chanterelles and trumpet chanterelles.
Can vegetarians and vegans eat mushrooms?
Mushrooms are not plants, but most vegetarians and vegans eat them, as they are not animals. Hare Krishnas and some other hindus, however, consider mushrooms to be "dirty" and therefore avoid them.
Can mushrooms be eaten raw?
Some mushrooms like creminis, portobellos, porcinis (and other boletes) and many russulas can be eaten raw, but most people prefer them cooked. Both the taste and texture of raw mushrooms is quite different from cooked ones, as many of the flavours in mushrooms are only created by the cooking process.
Are mushrooms a good source of protein?
Mushrooms are fairly low on protein per weight, but compared to their carb, fat and calorie content they are reasonably high on protein. So it depends on the method of calculation.
There is an European meat substitute called Quorn which is made from industrially grown mushrooms and is high in protein. It also contains egg whites, so it is not suitable for vegans.
What about vitamins and minerals?
Wild mushrooms are fairly high in selenium, potassium, iron and some B complex vitamin. Many wild mushrooms also contain vitamin D, but the amounts are negligible compared to those obtained from sunlight. Even though some sources claim they do, mushrooms do not contain vitamin B12. The vitamin C content is also negligible.
What health benefits do mushrooms offer?
Mushrooms contain some minerals and vitamins as explained above, but are very low on fat, carbs and calories. They are surprisingly high on some antioxidants. All mushrooms also contain chitin, a non-soluble protein which may help in lowering cholesterol and reducing inflammation.
Many mushrooms also contain polyphenols and other substances that may stimulate the immune system, lower blood pressure and help in cancer prevention. For this reason some are called medicinal mushrooms.
Which are the healthiest mushrooms?
The answer depends on the potential health concerns one has. One of the healthiest may be the Chaga mushroom.
Out of common edible mushrooms shiitakes and chanterelles may be among the healthiest ones. The orange color of chanterelles is created by carotenoids, similar to carrots.
Wild mushrooms tend to be higher in healthful substances than store-bought ones, which have been bred for factors like size, taste and yield.
Can one be allergic to mushrooms?
It is possible to be allergic to individual mushrooms, though it is rare. Some wild mushrooms contain substances that are hard for some people to digest, so they may erroneously believe they have mushroom poisoning.
A condition called trehalose intolerance causes digestive discomfort. It is similar to lactose intolerance but the body cannot digest trehalose, a sugar present in mushrooms. Different mushrooms contain different amounts of trehalose, so people with this condition may still be able to eat some mushrooms.
How long do mushrooms keep?
Most mushrooms last for 2-7 days in the fridge. However, wild mushrooms should preferably be cooked immediately, because they may contain eggs of larvae which hatch in storage and start eating the mushrooms.
Mushrooms can be preserved by dehydrating (drying), freezing and salting, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Freezing is the easiest way, but drying saves space and electricity.
Can mushrooms be grown indoors?
One can grow some mushrooms at home. It is easiest to buy a "kit" for this purpose, as it is hard to start out the growing in conditions hygienic enough to avoid contamination (and losing the grow to mold or bacteria). Such kits for shiitake mushrooms are sometimes sold in supermarkets.
Wild mushrooms cannot be grown at home, as they require a specific kind of environment, different for each species. If you want to propagate your favorite wild mushrooms, you may be able to do that by shaking some spores onto a suitable location, but it does not always work.
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