{"id":463,"date":"2018-11-20T15:11:24","date_gmt":"2018-11-20T20:11:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ablekitchen.com\/blog\/?p=463"},"modified":"2021-11-23T21:04:16","modified_gmt":"2021-11-24T02:04:16","slug":"endless-uses-for-the-many-varieties-of-mushrooms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ablekitchen.com\/blog\/endless-uses-for-the-many-varieties-of-mushrooms\/","title":{"rendered":"Endless Uses for the Many Varieties of Mushrooms"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Mushrooms:<\/p>\n

Mushrooms: The King of Fungi<\/strong><\/p>\n

Although most people treat mushrooms as vegetables, they are part of the fungi family, which means they don\u2019t need soil or light to grow. Mushrooms, unlike fruits and vegetables, do not contain chlorophyll and so they do not photosynthesize. Mushrooms are just one of the many species of fungi that exist; however, because there are so many different species, they have been given their own kingdom: the Kingdom of Fungi.<\/p>\n

The History of Mushrooms<\/strong><\/p>\n

Although undocumented, there is a good chance that mushrooms have been eaten for as long as there are people inhabiting the Earth. Before mushrooms were cultivated, they grew wild, and our ancestors ate mushrooms that they found in fields and forests. Historians have seen wild mushrooms on the menus of the Romans, Aztecs, and Egyptians, who considered mushrooms to be the \u201cfood of the Gods.\u201d<\/p>\n

The shift from edible wild mushrooms to cultivated mushrooms began in the middle of the seventeenth century, when a French melon grower accidentally poured water, used to wash wild mushrooms, over some melons discarded in a field. He soon noticed that many mushrooms sprouted in the spot, launching the era of cultivated mushrooms. The mushroom was named the \u201cchampignon de Paris,\u201d which has since become the most common and versatile mushroom in the world.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

How Mushrooms Grow<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mushrooms start their lives underground, as a bit of white fluff known as mycelium. These fungal threads sprout the mushrooms, which are actually the fruit of a much bigger fungus that grows underground. In the right conditions \u2013 with sufficient food and humidity and the proper temperature \u2013 buds will form from the mycelium. They seek daylight\u2026 and a mushroom is born. When the \u201ccap\u201d of the mushroom opens, it will start dropping millions of tiny spores that are spread by the wind and that, in turn, start forming more mycelium.<\/p>\n

Aside from the spores (the microscopic seeds that act as reproductive agents), and the mycelium, the parts of the mushroom that are visible when we buy them are the stem, which is the vertical axis that supports the cap; the gills, which produce the spores and are found under the cap; the ring, which is a membrane that is located under the cap and around the stem; and the cap, which is the upper part of the mushroom that protects the gills and can come in different shapes and colors.<\/p>\n

U.S. Cultivated Mushrooms<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 1780, a French gardener by the name of Chambry discovered that caves have the ideal climate for growing mushrooms (100% humidity and temperature of 10 degrees Celsius). Mushroom cultivation in the United States, however, first began in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania \u2013 now considered by some to be the mushroom capital of the world \u2013 when, in 1896, two local Quaker farmers looked for a way to make more efficient use of their greenhouses by using the area underneath the shelves to grow mushrooms. They went to Europe where people were already farming mushrooms and brought back some spores. This put the town on the mushroom map, attracting other farmers and workers to this sleepy town, to the point where these days, over 65% of the mushrooms consumed in the United States are grown there. Beginning in the mid-1980\u2019s the town began the annual Mushroom Festival, which has gotten larger every year and is held on the first weekend after Labor Day.<\/p>\n

Worldwide, mushroom use has exploded in the last few decades, and the leading global producers and exporters of the fungi \u2013 more than 4 million tons a year – are China, the United States, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and France. <\/p>\n

Types of Mushrooms<\/strong><\/p>\n

Edible and commonly used mushrooms can roughly be divided into two categories: saprophytes and mycorrhiza. Saprophytes grow on dead organic matter, such as fallen leaves and plant roots, from which they extract carbon dioxide and minerals. This category includes the most \u201cfamous\u201d mushrooms, such white button mushrooms, crimini, shiitake and oyster mushrooms.<\/p>\n

The mycorrhiza forms a mutually beneficial relationship with the roots of living trees. They take sugars and nutrients from the tree, but they give back minerals and essential elements, enlarging the root system of their hosts. Mushrooms that belong to this group are more difficult to cultivate (and are therefore more expensive). Porcini mushrooms, chanterelles and truffles are part of this group.<\/p>\n

\"Mushrooms\"<\/p>\n

The Mushrooms We Know and Love<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are roughly 14,000 known species of mushrooms<\/a>, with edible mushrooms accounting for less than 10% of the known species. <\/p>\n

White button mushroom<\/strong><\/p>\n

Everybody knows the white button mushroom \u2013 it is the most widely cultivated, harvested and distributed mushroom in the world. White mushrooms have a smooth, rounded cap and completely closed \u201cgills.\u201d When eaten raw, they have a mild taste, which blends well with other vegetables. If you\u2019re lucky enough to find extra-large white button mushrooms, they\u2019re great for stuffing.<\/p>\n

Crimini<\/strong><\/p>\n

Crimini mushrooms are similar in appearance to white button mushrooms, but they have a darker tan-colored cap and a firmer texture.<\/p>\n

Portobello mushroom <\/strong><\/p>\n

Portobellos are fully grown chestnut mushrooms, which are sold without the stem. They have a full mushroom flavor and are suitable for stuffing or even grilling, due to their firm meat. They have a dark-brown cap that can measure up to six inches across and their deep flavor and hearty consistency make them a great vegetarian alternative to meat.<\/p>\n

Chantarelle<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chantarelle mushrooms range in color from pale yellow to darker yellow; they are trumpet shaped, and have a nutty, peppery flavor and a chewy texture. They are among the most popular wild mushrooms.<\/p>\n

Porcini<\/strong><\/p>\n

Porcini mushrooms are firm mushrooms with a delicious nutty taste. They can even be grilled on a barbecue.<\/p>\n

Enoki Mushrooms<\/strong><\/p>\n

These mushrooms have spaghetti-like stems, topped with white caps. They have a crunchy texture and a slightly fruity flavor. They are often used in salads, as they make a beautiful presentation.<\/p>\n

Oyster Mushroom<\/strong><\/p>\n

The oyster mushroom is named after its oyster-shaped cap. They vary in color from white to gray or tan to dark brown. Oyster mushrooms have a soft, velvety texture, and a mild flavor, and they are perfect for use in mushrooms soups.<\/p>\n

Shiitake <\/strong><\/p>\n

Shiitake mushrooms originated in China and Japan. They\u2019re rich in protein and have brownish, broad, umbrella-shaped caps with curved stems. They release a piney scent when cooked and have a rich, earthy flavor, which can augment almost any dish. <\/p>\n

Morel Mushrooms<\/strong><\/p>\n

This wild variety belongs to the same species as truffles. They have cone-shaped caps that range in color from tan to dark brown, and they are most famously served after being saut\u00e9ed in butter.<\/p>\n

Mushrooms: Naturally Nutritious<\/strong><\/p>\n

All cultivated varieties of mushrooms share the same nutritional values: They are low in calories, sodium-free, fat-free, and cholesterol-free, and they are an important (and delicious) part of a healthy diet. They are a great source of B vitamins, which help to provide energy by breaking down proteins, fats and carbohydrates. In the produce section, mushrooms are the leading source of the antioxidant \u201cselenium,\u201d which, like other antioxidants, protects the body\u2019s cells from damage that might lead to chronic diseases and helps to strengthen the immune system.<\/p>\n

Because they are meaty and substantial, mushrooms are hearty and filling; therefore, using mushrooms regularly in your diet is a great way to reduce daily calorie intake while at the same time feeling full after meals. <\/p>\n

Care and Handling of Mushrooms<\/strong><\/p>\n

Selecting and Storing Mushrooms<\/i><\/p>\n

When selecting mushrooms, look for ones with a fresh, smooth appearance, that are free from major blemishes, and that have a dry, clean surface. <\/p>\n

Keep mushrooms refrigerated. They\u2019re best when used within two to three days after purchase, but you can prolong their shelf like by storing them in a paper bag. Always remove the plastic wrap from packaged mushrooms, and do not store them in air tight containers, which attract moisture condensation that speeds spoilage.<\/p>\n

Cleaning Mushrooms<\/i><\/p>\n

Do not rinse mushrooms until you\u2019re ready to use them. Gently wipe mushrooms with a damp cloth, soft brush, or your fingers to remove small peat moss particles. Or, rinse with cold water and pat dry with paper towels.<\/p>\n

Mushroom Uses<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mushrooms are delicious when eaten raw \u2013 in salads or just as a snack. But when saut\u00e9ed, with butter, they are divine. Add onions and you have the perfect filling for omelets, or eat alone and enjoy.<\/p>\n

\"Mushroom<\/p>\n

Hungarian Mushroom Soup<\/strong><\/p>\n

My family loves soup all year round, and this is one of their favorites. It has lots of flavor and is quick and easy to prepare. It is a rich and filling mushroom soup, but it derives a lot of its flavor from other ingredients.<\/p>\n

Ingredients<\/u><\/p>\n