There are so many types of mushrooms and some many ways to cook them. But some mushrooms could be categorized as edible mushrooms, and some could not.
Amongst the mushroom varieties, some species of mushrooms are wild and could not be eaten.
However, many mushroom species are amazingly tasty and would be best to be used in the kitchen.
For thousands of years, edible mushrooms have contributed to the many kinds of home cooking.
Mushrooms can be very magical. Many people believe that mushrooms can add deep flavour.
On the other hand, perhaps you have ever found yourself only standing at the store and had no idea the difference between any of those mushroom types, neither the tiny little white mushrooms nor the big brown ones.
For some of us, maybe we occasionally pick any of them and not knowing its benefits, while others probably stick to the true white mushrooms.
Well, mushrooms should not be a mystery. This guide will help you out of the dark and bring you some shaded lights about every single kind of mushroom you need to know about:
1. Morel Mushroom
Morels are indeed looked not pretty, and they also may look like a dead honeycomb. However, this mushroom is super tasty and savory.
The price is usually also quite high because of its flavour. Children might also love this since it is a little chewy and will be great to be cooked with butter.
As morels are very soft and rot, you need to be careful when cleaning them. Hence, it would be better to find the dry and firm ones to be cooked.
2. Oyster Mushroom
Oyster mushroom is very beneficial for the human body since the mushroom could breakdown the toxic chemicals.
Oyster is easy to be cultivated and one of the very common mushrooms in the world.
Oyster has many kinds of colours, from soft beige into grey. Oyster also can be eaten in raw as a salad, but it is best served after it is fried with olive oil, garlic, and spices.
3. King Oyster Mushroom
As one of the most expensive mushrooms, king oyster usually sold in a gently trimmed and free from dirt.
King oyster’s size can reach 300 grams, and it has a greyish tone in colour. This mushroom has a great taste of umami, and its meaty texture is amazing.
King oyster mushroom generally used in Chinese, Korean, and Japanese cuisine. Many vegetarians love to cook this mushroom as ‘mushroom scallop’ or ‘mushroom steak’.
4. Enoki Mushroom
What is the best mushroom ever? Yes, it is Enoki! Enoki is super mild in taste, but not as meaty as oyster and not as earthy as shiitake.
Enoki is a type of mushrooms that grow in a group of long stems. Enoki has some health benefits due to its low carb nutrient.
In Italian dishes, this mushroom often replaces spaghetti. However, traditionally, people in Asia often use Enoki to be combined with tofu or as the additional flavour in a soup.
Enoki is fine to be served whether cooked or raw.
5. Shiitake Mushroom
Shiitake mushroom has been one of the most popular food in the world for thousands of years, particularly in Asia.
Shiitake is also one of the most edible mushrooms and easily cultivated. This mushroom is very versatile and meaty as well as oyster mushroom.
The easiest way to cook shiitake is by combining it with butter and garlic in a sauté pan.
Then, after the mushrooms turn into brown, you can add salt and pepper along with parsley. It only takes 3 to 4 minutes to serve this!
6. Chanterelle Mushrooms
This mushroom is one of the most popular wild yet edible mushrooms. The colours can be yellow, orange, or white.
Chanterelle is also meaty and funnel-shaped. The mushroom usually grows in summer.
Some people like to cook chanterelle as pasta and combined it with parmesan cheese. It is quite easy to be cooked, though.
You only need olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, parsley, and of course, cheese.
However, there are many other ways to cook chanterelle since the flavour is easily mixed with many kinds of food, such as eggs, chicken, steak, or fettuccini.
7. White Button Mushrooms
White button mushroom is usually sized between small to medium size averaging 2-7 centimetres.
White button mushroom is very firm and spongy. It is also easy to cook and much more delightful than certain wild mushrooms varieties.
If you consume it raw, you can find the mushroom is crispy and mild. When it is cooked, the mushroom develops an earthy flavour and chewy texture.
Many people believe that the health benefits given by the mushroom are not as much as the other types of mushrooms.
8. Trumpet mushrooms
This mushroom is delicious. The trumpet is part of oyster mushrooms and usually being cooked in soup.
You can also consume it in raw since it has a little flavour. But, when it is cooked, the taste is similar to umami. The trumpet can be held for one week in the fridge.
9. Crimini mushroom
Crimini has a very similar flavour with white button mushroom. People believe that it is the more mature one than the white button.
The texture is firm, and the colour is brown. Usually, people use it in soups or stews.
In the grocery store, you will probably find that most of the crimini is way more expensive than white button ones, but the taste is worth it!
10. Portobello mushroom
This mushroom is quite similar to a white button and crimini mushroom, but it needs longer to grow.
So, most people call this mushroom as the most mature one amongst the white button and crimini mushroom.
Portobello is so easy to be cooked; from baked, stuffed, or being covered with cheese.
11. Porcini mushroom
If you want to try one of the meatiest mushrooms, then, porcini is the best answer. It is also a good company for steak.
Porcini would also be great for stew or combined with the sauce. The best way to eat porcini is with vegan foods.
This mushroom help to improve nutrition and add up the health benefits.
12. Shimeji mushroom
Shimeji mushroom is usually found in the East part of Asia, such as in Japan, and it also grows in Northern Europe.
Many Japanese put shimeji mushroom in the ramen or Gohan—means rice. Many people loved to eat shimeji by being combined with soy sauce and butter.
13. Wood Ear mushroom
Wood ear mushroom mainly grows in the mountainous region.
This mushroom looks not appealing at first glance, but once you eat it, you will want more since this wood ear is super crunchy and very delicate in taste.
Some people love to eat it spicy along with the soup.
14. Maitake mushroom
Maitake is believed could help women with a fertility issue.
Hence, it is generally known as traditional medicine rather than food, but we can tear it into the smaller pieces and putting them with sauce.
The mushroom also can be grilled or seared.
15. Beech mushroom
This mushroom is called ‘beech’ since it is usually grown in on fallen beech trees. Beech mushroom is usually brown or white.
It has crunchy and smooth in texture, but beech mushroom shouldn’t be eaten raw. It would be perfect to pair it with noodles!
Well, besides these fifteen recommended common mushrooms, there are other types of mushrooms out there. You need to understand how to use them and make your most!
