15 Types of Mushrooms and How to Cook With Them (2024)

FAQs

What are the top 10 mushrooms? ›

Mushrooms, even common button mushrooms, contain traces of carcinogenic compounds in raw form. The same toxin, hydrazine, is also found in portobello mushrooms, and shiitake mushrooms contain a naturally occurring formaldehyde. Both chemicals are heat-sensitive and abolished upon exposure to heat.

Some of the mushrooms considered best for human health include chaga, lion's mane, reishi, turkey tail, shiitake, cordyceps and maitake. Often considered vegetables, mushrooms are neither plants nor animals. They belong to a unique kingdom of fungi.

Agaricus bisporous is the most common edible mushroom eaten practically all over the world. At present, three kinds of mushroom are widely cultivated in India and abroad: White button mushroom(Agaricus bisporous), paddy straw mushroom(Volvariella), Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus).

Scientifically named Morchella esculenta, currently 1 kilogram of sponge mushrooms cost as much as Rs 30,000, making it the costliest among fungi in the world.

White button mushrooms account for about 90% of the mushroom sales in the US. Odds are you've eaten them many times. Most restaurants use these mushrooms because they are cheaper and more consistently sized than other comparable shrooms.

When we talk about functional mushrooms, we're not just referring to your standard grocery store variety (although they certainly have their place in a healthy diet). Research suggests that varieties like chaga, lion's mane, reishi, and cordyceps may offer health benefits beyond basic nutrition.

The first step towards safely enjoying raw mushrooms begins with choosing the right varieties. Stick to those known for their edibility and palatability such as the common white button, cremini, and portobello mushrooms.

Which mushrooms taste like chicken? ›

This fried chicken-tasting mushroom is called Laetiporus sulphureus and is more commonly known as 'Chicken of the Woods. ' It can be found across Europe and North America, mainly on oak trees, but can also be found on yew, cherry, and sweet chestnut trees.

Look and taste: Shiitake mushrooms have long, stalk-like stems and wide caps with curled edges and cream-colored gills. When cooked, they have a soft texture and meaty flavor.

The “portabella as a burger patty” is probably the most popular way to use mushrooms as a substitute for meat, but that's just the beginning. King Oyster mushrooms, for example, can be turned into crave-worthy pulled pork or a vegan alternative to scallops.

A little backstory on the Reishi Mushroom (queen of mushrooms)… They have long been relied upon, mostly in Asia (where reishi mushrooms grow). The Chinese regarded the Reishi Mushroom as the “herb of spiritual potency” symbolizing success, well-being, divine power, and longevity.

Four common edible mushrooms you might see when foraging are the chicken of the wood, chanterelles, morels, and giant puffballs, but there are many more to find with additional research and learning.

Button mushrooms are the most common type of mushroom you'll find at the grocery store—in fact, an estimated 90% of the mushrooms we eat in the US are of the button variety.