When it comes to mushrooms, there are several types. Currently, mycologists believe there are approximately 14,000 types of mushrooms in the world. However, mycologists believe this number represents just a fraction of all the mushrooms in the world.
It is important to note that not all mushrooms are edible. Some of the species of mushrooms are highly toxic. Their adverse effect ranges from a rash breakout to death.
This is why you are advised not to eat wild mushrooms. Instead, leave the hunt for wild mushrooms to mycologists and only eat mushrooms that have been verified as safe.
In this article, we’ll look at 10 types of edible mushrooms alongside their uses and benefits. First, however, let us look at what mushrooms are before we discuss the types of mushrooms:
What are Mushrooms?
A mushroom is a spore-bearing fungus with a fleshy fruit-producing body. So yes, the mushroom that tastes great in meals is a fungus. Interestingly, mushrooms are classified as vegetables but are not plants.
There are over 10,000 known types of mushrooms. Some of these mushrooms are edible, while others are not edible. However, only a tiny fraction of the known types of mushrooms are poisonous.
Although, a person can suffer from an allergic reaction after eating a particular type of edible mushroom. This allergic reaction has nothing to do with the mushroom. Maybe the person is allergic to that type of mushroom or mushrooms in general.
Whatever the case, the point is that if you eat a poisonous mushroom, you’ll experience an adverse reaction. Also, if you’re allergic to all or some types of mushrooms, avoid them.
Now that we know what mushrooms are, let us look at the benefits and uses of some edible mushrooms:
10 Types of Common Edible Mushrooms
Button Mushrooms
Also called white mushrooms or baby mushrooms is a popular type of mushroom. They can easily be found in a grocery store.
Uses of Button Mushrooms
Button mushrooms are edible mushrooms that are used in the preparation of some delicious dishes. For example, they can be roasted, grilled, sauteed, used for baking, or to make a delicious pot of stew.
Health Benefits of Button Mushroom
Button mushrooms are rich in vitamin D. Vitamin D is known to help the body absorb minerals. These minerals help in the formation and maintenance of healthy bones. So, we can say that the dietary supply of vitamin D from button mushrooms helps bone maintenance.
Cremini Mushrooms
Cremini mushrooms, also known as brown mushrooms, are a slightly mature version of button mushrooms. Interestingly, these mushrooms are still young and premature. Like button mushrooms, cremini mushrooms are used in coflavourand add flavor to food.
Uses of Cremini Mushrooms
Cremini mushrooms can be eaten raw or cooked. They can be used as pi toppings, to make soup and stews, and in preparing other delicious dishes.
Health Benefits of Cremini Mushrooms
Cremini mushrooms are rich in proteins, carbohydrates, and fibre. The protein content helps repair body tissues while carbohydrate provides energy to the body that supports physical activities. The fibre content in cremini ensures that digestion is seamless.
Portobello Mushrooms
Portobello mushrooms are the mature and meaty variation of Agaricus bisporus edible fungus. Here is a fun fact: button mushrooms, cremini mushrooms, and portobello mushrooms are all Agaricus bisporus.
The difference between the trio is their ages and level of maturity. Portobello is the oldest and most mature of the trio.
Use of Portobello Mushrooms
Just like others, Portobello mushrooms are used for cooking. The mushroom has a rich umami flavour that makes your food tasty. They can be baked, boiled, roasted, or grilled. Their meaty nature makes them ideal for stews or soups.
Health Benefit of Portobello Mushrooms
Portobello mushrooms are rich in vitamin B2. Vitamin B, also known as riboflavin, is essential for developing the digestive tract, blood, brain cells, and skin epithelial.
The vitamin also assists in the breakdown of carbohydrates, thereby providing glucose for the body. The glucose supports the body’s physical activities.
Oyster Mushrooms
One of the most popular types of mushrooms, oyster mushrooms are also called pearl oyster mushrooms and tree oyster mushrooms. It is an extremely popular mushroom cultivated commercially in multiple parts of the world.
This mushroom grows naturally on and around trees. They thrive in temperate and subtropical areas. It is also somewhat expensive.
Uses of Oyster Mushrooms
These types of mushrooms are used to prepare sumptuous meals and are in the creation of furniture. For example, mycelium furniture is made from oyster mushrooms.
Health Benefits of Oyster Mushrooms
Oyster mushrooms have a wide range of health benefits. It is a highly nutritious mushroom with impressive health benefits. Some of such benefits include:
- It is a rich source of antioxidants, so it helps to neutralize free radicals;
- The beta-glucans in them help to reduce the level of cholesterol, thereby maintaining the heart’s health;
- It helps to lower blood sugar level
- It helps to boost the immune system.
King Oyster Mushrooms
The king oyster mushrooms are large oyster mushrooms. King trumpet mushroom is another name for king oyster mushrooms. They grow in the Mediterranean regions of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.
Uses of King Oyster Mushroom
The mushroom is used for cooking. It is the ideal substitute for meat due to its umami flavour and meaty texture. It is eaten cooked and can be served as a side dish or as part of the main dish.
Health Benefits of King Oyster Mushrooms
King oyster mushrooms have an impressive nutritional profile. Studies done on the mushroom shows that it is rich in proteins, vitamins (B2, B3, B5, and B6), minerals, and dietary fibres. It is also reported to be low in cholesterol.
These nutritional constituents help to promote the repair and maintenance of body tissues and digestion. Also, it is believed that these mushrooms help reduce cholesterol levels in the body.
Chanterelle Mushrooms
Chanterelle is a collective name that refers to mushrooms belonging to the Cantharellus, Gomphus, Polyozellus, and Craterellus families. These types of mushrooms grow in the soil next to a shrub or tree but not on the plants.
Mushrooms in these families have a distinctive funnel shape, which is why the name chanterelle is used interchangeably. In addition, the chanterelle mushrooms are found in yellow, orange, and white colours.
Uses of Chanterelle Mushrooms
These types of mushrooms are eaten as a side dish or part of the main course. It has a rich and peppery flavour that will taste well in meals. Even though you can eat it raw, it tastes better when sauteed.
Health Benefits of Chanterelle Mushrooms
Chanterelle is a wild mushroom richvitaminmins D.This vitamin supports the development and maintenance of bones and muscles. It also helps to boost the immune system.
Porcini Mushrooms
Porcini Mushroom is a prized mushroom used in preparing Italian and French dishes. It grows in Autumn and is picked and dried for later consumption. The mushroom has a creamy and nutty taste.
Uses of Porcini Mushrooms
Porcini are majorly used in the preparation of Italian and French dishes. As with most mushrooms, they can be eaten as a side meal or as part of the main dish.
Health Benefits of Porcini Mushrooms
Porcini mushrooms are rich in vitamins, proteins, and minerals. Collectively, these constituents help maintain the various body activities and develop bones and tissues. In addition, this mushroom is a rich source of dietary fibre that helps in the seamless digestion of food.
Hedgehog Mushrooms
Hedgehog are mushrooms with a rich and nutty taste. Unlike other mushrooms, the hedgehog is very safe and has no poisonous lookalike. As a result, these mushrooms are one of the easiest to pick.
Uses of Hedgehog Mushrooms
Hedgehog Mushrooms somewhat taste like chanterelle mushrooms. The mushroom is used for cooking and has a distinctive sweet and peppery taste.
Health Benefits of Hedgehog Mushrooms
Studies have shown that Hedgehog mushrooms have antitumor and antimicrobial potentials. They are also rich in proteins, vitamins, and other minerals.
Chicken Of The Woods Mushrooms
Chicken of the woods mushroom is an impressively large mushroom that is orangecolourolor. There are no known lookalikes, so picking in the wild is easy and safe. It grows in clusters on tree trucks.
Uses of Chicken of The Woods Mushrooms
It is used to garnish sumptuous delicacies. Also, it is the ideal substitute for a vegan craving for chicken. Finally, it tastes great in soups and stews.
Health Benefits of Chicken of The Woods Mushrooms
Besides being a cherished culinary ingredient, it also has a wide range of medicinal benefits. Studies show that the mushroom helps to:
- Reduce blood glucose level, thereby preventing diabetes;
- Neutralize free radicals in the body, thereby preventing oxidative stress and the formation of cancer cells;
- Stabilize the hormones; and
- Prevent inflammation.
Morel Mushrooms
Morel mushrooms are one of the most sort-after mushrooms in the world. Unlike other mushrooms discussed in this article, these types of mushrooms are not farmed. In most cases, they are gathered from the wild.
However, it is essential to note that this mushroom has a poisonous lookalike. So, if you are not careful, you might unknowingly eat the poisonous one. Outside that, the mushroom has a delicious ntty, and earthy taste. It is rarely found in stores and is somewhat on the high side due to its rarity.
Uses of Morel Mushrooms
Morels are used to prepare some delicious dishes.
Health Benefits of Morel Mushrooms
Scientific studies have shown the impressive benefits of morels. According to these studies, these types of mushrooms contain potent antioxidants that protect your body from the reaction of free radicals.
When free radicals are allowed to react with biological cells, they cause a wide range of adverse reactions.
These reactions can cause the formation of cancer cells, heart-related diseases, Parkinson’s diseases, and many more. Antioxidants also help the body to get rid of toxic molecules.
Conclusion
There are over 10,000 different types of mushrooms. It will be too cumbersome to clever all the known types of mushrooms in one article.
However, having an idea of what types of mushrooms are edible and which are not can prevent you from making a lethal mistake.
Also, mushrooms are the ideal substitute for meat and fish in a vegan meal.
