A guide to different types of edible mushrooms
There are thousands of different varieties of mushrooms in the world, some are edible, some are poisonous, some will expand your mind and a lot are just inedible because they are bitter or not pleasant to eat. At Urban Kulture we deal with mushrooms that have been found to be nutritious, delicious, safe to eat and can be cultivated at home.
Here are some very nutritious and delicious mushrooms that you can enjoy eating:
1.Oyster Mushrooms
Oyster mushrooms derive its name from its resemblance to a freshly-shucked oysters and they are mostly cultivated not only because they have a nice array of soft colours (yellow, pink, green,white, light grey or greyish brown), but also because they are one of the easiest types of mushroom to grow and they can grow happily pretty much anywhere. They have a soft, slightly chewy, mild, meaty flavour which can develop a light anise aroma. It can be eaten raw or cooked and is best when roasted with herbs.
Nutritional Value: This pretty fungus and they are good sources of vitamin D, protein, fibre, potassium, vitamin B6 and folate.
2.King Oyster Mushrooms
King oyster mushroom (King trumpet or eryngii) is the largest of all the oyster mushrooms, which is truly the king of the mushrooms. They grow in clusters with velvety,plump stumpy white stems and pale grey-brown caps. The entire mushroom is tasty, with slightly meat flavour. It is ideal in sauces and with meat or can be vegetarian such as an autumnal pasta dish with sautéed leeks and king oyster mushroom.
Nutritional Value: A good source of protein, thiamin, vitamin B6, folate, iron, magnesium, zinc and manganese. King mushroom calories are only around 35 per 100g
3.Shiitake Mushrooms
Shiitake (Lentinula Edodes) has been a highly commercialised staple food in many Asian households for many centuries. This mushroom is the second most popular and one of the most cultivated mushrooms today. It has a meaty texture and woody flavour which is an excellent additive to broths, stocks, soups, sauces, salads and meat dishes. This should be avoided being eaten raw so they are best cooked to tap their earthy, rich flavour.
Nutritional Value: Cholesterol-Free, low-sodium, fat-free, and a good source of fibre. It also naturally contains zinc, manganese, several B-vitamins (B6) and excellent source of the mineral copper.
4. Enoki
Enoki mushrooms (also known as Enokitake) are easily identifiable by their white, slim, pin-like appearance, and long stems topped with petite, convex caps. They are very small in size and grow in bouquets tightly packed. This mushroom is crisp and firm with a crunchy bite and has a mild and slightly fruit taste that can be eaten raw. They are perfect as pickled, in soups, stir-fries, risottos and more.
Nutritional Value: It contains dietary fibre, niacin, calcium, potassium, selenium, copper, phosphorus and iron. They are also known to have anti-inflammatory properties and are excellent immune system boosters.
These are just a handful of the edible varieties that can be grown at home using our unique low tech cultivation techniques. If you are interested in learning how to grow your own mushrooms at home, we do value packed hands on and online workshops around Australia. Come and grow with us at the School of Fungal Wizardry!
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