The creamy mushroom soup or mushroom chilli for dinner? Anything can work as mushrooms in any form are loved by everyone.
But have you ever thought about what mushrooms are? Many of you would know that Mushrooms are fungus.
Wait! What? Do we eat a fungus?
I know that your mind got filled with a lot of questions like aren’t these mushrooms poisonous or can we eat them raw or are every mushroom edible? So in today’s blog post, I will be covering every question related to mushrooms and if I miss something then you are free to mention it in the comment section.
The mushrooms that we have been consuming for so many years are known as Button mushrooms, scientifically called Agaricus bisporus. These small, round fungi have become a permanent member of kitchens worldwide, loved for their mild flavour and versatile nature.
Where do Button Mushrooms come from?
As we talked about above, Button Mushrooms belong to the genus Agaricus and species bisporus.
But they are not a recent discovery. These mushrooms were first found in the 1600s in France. The exact place where these were first grown by the farmers is still unknown, but it was likely near Paris.
One sunny day, the French farmers who used to grow melons noticed something different. They saw mushrooms growing on the top of the horse dung and straw they used for their melon crops. These mushrooms looked tasty, so the farmers did an experiment and tried growing them and they discovered that these mushrooms can grow in caves and dark places where it was dark and cool. The best part they found was that these mushrooms were not seasonal so they can be grown throughout the year.
This by chance discovery started mushroom farming on a small scale. The farmers began to understand how to grow mushrooms in the right manner. They learned to prepare the right kind of compost and create good growing conditions. The achievements of this discovery spread all over the world, first to other parts of France, then to the rest of Europe, and finally to North America.
With time, people learnt better methods to grow these mushrooms and soon they became a very popular dish. Farmers identified and grew the best mushrooms, which are the button mushrooms we know today. But, the button mushrooms we find in grocery stores are not the wild-harvested ones. Instead, they are grown in controlled environments to make them of better quality so that they are available for the whole year.
Now let me tell you an interesting fact. Although button mushrooms were first discovered in France and may have been first cultivated near Paris, France is not the leading producer. The countries that produce the major amount of button mushrooms are China, the United States, Poland, and the Netherlands.
What do they look like?
Button mushrooms can be easily identified even in a crowd of different mushrooms due to their simple appearance. They are generally small and round, resembling buttons and that is why we call them ‘button mushrooms’. The top of a button mushroom measures between 1 to 3 inches in diameter, though size can be different according to their maturity and growing conditions.
The colour of button mushrooms can be pure white and can even be light brown. White button mushrooms are the most common variety found in stores, but cremini mushrooms – which are of the same species at a later growth stage – have a light to medium brown colour.
If we talk about their texture, fresh button mushrooms feel a little hard when you touch them but leave a sponge-like effect. The cap or top part of the mushrooms is tightly packed around the stem, due to which it remains fresh.
The smell of fresh button mushrooms is just like the smell of wet soil. When it is raw, they have a very little sweet smell. This aroma increases when cooked.
When are they ready to enter your kitchen?
Just now we talked about these button mushrooms and how they look but you cannot just go and eat it anytime you want. Even if you are growing mushrooms on your own, you have to wait for it to be correctly harvested.
Button mushrooms are harvested when they are of the desired size, generally before the cap has fully opened. In large-scale cultivation, harvesting is done by hand to ensure quality and prevent damage to the soft mushrooms. Skilled workers can detect the perfect time for harvesting by looking at the size and appearance.
One of the advantages of growing these mushrooms is their year-round availability. They are not like the seasonal wild mushrooms which can only be found in wild forests. This regular availability has increased their popularity in home cooking and restaurant kitchens.
How can you use Button Mushrooms in your daily diet?
A question that I generally get asked about button mushrooms is can they can be eaten raw or not. The answer is yes. You can eat them raw too and many times they are used in salads in their raw form so there is no harm in eating them raw. But, it is necessary to keep in mind that raw mushrooms can be harder to digest for some people, and cooking them properly can increase their flavour and nutrition.
If we talk about cooking them, you can make anything using these mushrooms. It can be a vegetarian dish or a non-vegetarian one. It can be Indian cuisine or Italian.
1. Fry it: This is the most common method to cook these mushrooms. Just cook the sliced mushrooms in a pan with a little oil or butter till they’re golden brown and soft.
2. Roast it: Tossing button mushrooms in a pan with oil and spices, then roasting them in the oven, brings out a burning flavour.
3. Grill it: Whole-button mushrooms can be dipped in spices and grilled, adding a spicy flavour to their pain smell.
4. Fill it: Their cap shape makes button mushrooms perfect for stuffing with different fillings, it can be cheese, meat or vegetables.
5. Stew it: Button mushrooms add deep flavour and texture to soups and sauces.
Want a better idea of how to add these tasty button mushrooms to your diet then you can visit her- https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/creamy-chicken-mushroom-soup
10 secret benefits of Button Mushrooms if they are included in your diet
Button mushrooms may look small, but they are of huge importance if we are talking about nutrition. They are low in calories but high in proteins, making them an important part of the balanced diet.
10 surprise nutrients found in button mushrooms are:
- They’re packed with selenium, which is great for your thyroid. It’s hard to find in most foods, so mushrooms are a real winner here.
- There’s this thing called ergothioneine in mushrooms. It’s a super antioxidant that might help keep your brain healthy.
- They’ve got a special kind of fibre that could help keep your cholesterol in check. Good news for your heart!
- Button mushrooms have copper, which helps you make red blood cells and keeps your nerves happy.
- They taste umami – that savoury flavour we love. You can use them to cut down on salt in your cooking.
- These little guys might be good for your gut bacteria. Happy tummy, happy you!
- If you’re watching your weight, mushrooms are great. They’re low in calories but still fill you up.
- There’s a B vitamin in mushrooms that helps you deal with stress. We could all use some of that, right?
- They’ve got phosphorus, which is awesome for your bones and teeth.
- Mushrooms have potassium too, which could help keep your blood pressure where it should be.
The health benefits associated with eating button mushrooms are many. They may support immune function, help maintain healthy blood pressure, and contribute to bone health.
Some studies suggest that the antioxidants in mushrooms could have anti-inflammatory and even anti-cancer properties, though more research is needed in these areas.
Compared to other mushroom varieties, button mushrooms have a moderate nutritional profile. While they may not be as nutrient-dense as some exotic varieties like shiitake or reishi, they are more available every time and everyone can afford them, making them an excellent choice for regular use.
What are the safety concerns that you need to keep in mind while handling these mushrooms?
Button mushrooms are used everywhere, but some people always remain concerned about their safety. A famous myth about these mushrooms is that button mushrooms are poisonous and can even cause death. This is false. If you know how to handle and prepare it correctly, farmed button mushrooms are perfectly safe to eat.
The mistake may arise from the fact that we cannot differentiate between different types of mushrooms. Certain toxic wild mushrooms can be taken as button mushrooms. For this reason, it’s strictly advised that you never eat wild mushrooms unless you are a mushroom specialist or have had your identification confirmed by one.
Although button mushrooms are normally safe, some people may be allergic to them or have a sensitivity to them. An allergy to mushrooms can cause moderate symptoms like digestive pain or, in rare situations, severe symptoms like anaphylaxis. It’s best to speak with a healthcare provider if you think you could be allergic to mushrooms.
To guarantee that button mushrooms are consumed safely:
Buy from trusted suppliers: Go to well-known supermarkets or trusted neighbourhood growers when buying mushrooms.
Storage guidelines: Use mushrooms within a week of purchase and keep them refrigerated.
Clean before using: Immediately pat dry after swiftly rinsing under cool water or gently brushing off any remaining debris.
Although button mushrooms can be consumed raw, it is best to boil them thoroughly to get rid of any dangerous bacteria.
How would you know that now is the time to throw these mushrooms?
Proper storage is key to maintaining the quality and safety of button mushrooms. When stored correctly, fresh button mushrooms can last up to a week in the refrigerator. Here are some storage tips:
Store them in a paper bag or their original package. Avoid plastic bags, which can trap moisture and speed up spoilage.
Store in the main part of the refrigerator, not the crisper drawer, which can be too moist.
Avoid washing mushrooms until just before use, as excess moisture can promote bacterial growth.
The following are indications that your button mushrooms are bad:
slick or adhesive feel
brown or black flecks
Strong, stinky smell
Regular development of mould
It’s advisable to put away the mushrooms if you experience any of these symptoms.
Freezing is a possibility for longer-term preservation. Frozen mushrooms can be useful in cooked meals, although fresh mushrooms are often preferred for their texture.
How to freeze button mushrooms?
Slice and clean the mushrooms.
They can be gently sautéed in oil or butter.
Once cooled, transfer to freezer bags or airtight containers.
Use within 9–12 months of the date on the label for best quality.
Because of the way that freezing and thawing alter their texture, frozen mushrooms work best in cooked recipes.
But is there any harm if you eat too much of these mushrooms?
Even though button mushrooms are generally considered healthy, there are a few things to keep in mind while eating them:
Eating more than required: Consuming too much of any food, especially button mushrooms, can cause digestive distress. It might cause bloating or gas in certain people.
Purines: Button mushrooms contain a lot of purines, which might be harmful to people who have renal or gout. If any of these problems apply to you, see a doctor about including mushrooms in your diet.
Drug interactions: The high vitamin K content of mushrooms can cause problems when used with blood-thinning drugs like warfarin. If you take any of these drugs, make sure you obtain enough vitamin K, and let your doctor know about any dietary modifications you make.
Summary
Button mushrooms have a story of their own I guess! They started as an unknown fungus found in France in the 1600s. Now, they’re a rich source of nutrients all over the world.
Now let’s try to sum up all the points that we learnt above in five simple points.
- In the 1600s, French farmers by accident found button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus), which led to the beginning of mushroom agriculture.
- These are round, tiny mushrooms that taste mildly earthy and are usually white or light brown. They can be used in a variety of culinary preparations.
- These days, they are cultivated in artificial environments known as mushroom houses all over the world.
- They are low in calories but high in antioxidants, minerals, and B vitamins, which have many health benefits.
- When handled and stored properly, they are harmless and can be eaten raw or cooked in a variety of ways. They are not harmful.