💧Types Of Mushrooms & How To Use Them💧
Most of us are aware of white button mushrooms, which are widely used as a pizza topping or enjoyed as a breakfast side. But did you know that there are more 14,000 species of mushrooms worldwide? While most of these are not edible, there are several types of mushrooms that can be used in cooking and enjoyed for their prized umami flavor. So if you are willing to venture into the vast, wild world of mushrooms, we have drawn up a list of a little more than a handful that are gaining in popularity.
💧Types Of Mushrooms💧
So without further ado, let’s look at the most popular types of mushrooms and how to use them in cooking.
White Button Mushrooms
Other names: button mushrooms
These are the most widely used variety of mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) and account for almost 90 percent of mushrooms sold worldwide. They have a bland flavor, which deepens when sautéed in olive oil or butter. The caps should be firm, smooth-skinned, and white; the bruised ones may not be usable.
Best used in stir-fry, soups, pasta, and sandwiches or as a topping for pizzas.
Cremini Mushrooms
Other names: crimini, common brown, Roman, baby portobello, or baby Bella mushrooms
Cremini mushrooms are a brown, moderately mature variety of white button mushrooms. They have a slightly deeper flavor and are a little more expensive than button mushrooms.
Best used in stews, risotto, and soups as they have a firmer texture as compared to button mushrooms.
A wicker tray with a variety of raw mushrooms on a wooden table
Cremini, chanterelles, and oyster mushrooms are commonly used in cooking. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Portobello Mushrooms
Other names: portabella, open cap mushroom
They are the most mature variety of button mushrooms and have a big cap that is completely open, exposing the gills underneath. While the entire mushroom is
edible,
many people prefer scraping the gill while cooking. It has a meaty flavor and is quite firm, lending itself to being grilled or stuffed.
Best used in grilling, for a stuffed mushroom recipe, or a replacement for a meat burger and sometimes, even a burger bun.
Morel Mushrooms
Another name: Morchella
They have a lovely honeycomb cap and are prized by gourmet cooks because they add a woodsy, meaty flavor to the dishes.
Best paired with meat and chicken, part of a pasta filling, or used in soups.
Oyster Mushrooms
Other names: abalone mushroom, angel’s wings, or tree oyster
Oyster mushrooms are usually found growing on the side of trees. Because of their delicate taste and thin texture, these mushrooms are best used in quick stir-fries and have been increasingly gaining in popularity among chefs.
💧Types Of Mushrooms💧
So without further ado, let’s look at the most popular types of mushrooms and how to use them in cooking.
White Button Mushrooms
Other names: button mushrooms
These are the most widely used variety of mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) and account for almost 90 percent of mushrooms sold worldwide. They have a bland flavor, which deepens when sautéed in olive oil or butter. The caps should be firm, smooth-skinned, and white; the bruised ones may not be usable.
Best used in stir-fry, soups, pasta, and sandwiches or as a topping for pizzas.
Cremini Mushrooms
Other names: crimini, common brown, Roman, baby portobello, or baby Bella mushrooms
Cremini mushrooms are a brown, moderately mature variety of white button mushrooms. They have a slightly deeper flavor and are a little more expensive than button mushrooms.
Best used in stews, risotto, and soups as they have a firmer texture as compared to button mushrooms.
A wicker tray with a variety of raw mushrooms on a wooden table
Cremini, chanterelles, and oyster mushrooms are commonly used in cooking. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Portobello Mushrooms
Other names: portabella, open cap mushroom
They are the most mature variety of button mushrooms and have a big cap that is completely open, exposing the gills underneath. While the entire mushroom is
edible,
many people prefer scraping the gill while cooking. It has a meaty flavor and is quite firm, lending itself to being grilled or stuffed.
Best used in grilling, for a stuffed mushroom recipe, or a replacement for a meat burger and sometimes, even a burger bun.
Morel Mushrooms
Another name: Morchella
They have a lovely honeycomb cap and are prized by gourmet cooks because they add a woodsy, meaty flavor to the dishes.
Best paired with meat and chicken, part of a pasta filling, or used in soups.
Oyster Mushrooms
Other names: abalone mushroom, angel’s wings, or tree oyster
Oyster mushrooms are usually found growing on the side of trees. Because of their delicate taste and thin texture, these mushrooms are best used in quick stir-fries and have been increasingly gaining in popularity among chefs.