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types of mushrooms and benefits

Overview

In today’s world, we find Mushrooms in cooking various cuisines, whether they are Chinese, Japanese, European, or Korean. Along with the pleasant taste, mushrooms contain properties that are beneficial for health also. Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of a fungus, which develops above the ground on the soil.

Mushrooms are termed as the ‘meat’ for vegetarians as they contain multiple health-beneficial properties. A wide range of varieties of mushrooms is present in the market. Mushrooms owe their increased demand not only due to their delectable taste but also to their rich nutrient profiles.

All edible types of mushrooms are sufficient in providing essential nutrients and improving the health of an individual. In this article, we will also discuss the types of mushrooms along with their benefits. 

Types of Mushrooms

White Button Mushrooms

White button mushrooms are the most finding and tasty mushrooms available in the markets of India. We call these mushrooms cultivated mushrooms or champignon (Agaricus bisporus). You can consume white button mushrooms either in raw form or in soups, pizzas, or salads as these mushrooms are beneficial for health.

Benefits of White Button Mushrooms

  • These mushrooms are low in sugar and calories.
  • These are rich sources of protein.
  • These mushrooms are a natural non-animal source of Vitamin D2 due to their extreme exposure to sunlight.
  • Consumption of these mushrooms will increase the absorption of calcium in your body and make your bones strong.
  • White button mushrooms are also a rich source of Vitamin B12.
  • Moreover, these mushrooms have anti-cancer properties that prevent the risk of cancer.
  • These mushrooms also help in reducing the sugar levels in the blood.
  • Also, these mushrooms boost the action of prebiotics which enhances gut health.

These mushrooms are quite beneficial for vegetarian people as they are rich in various nutrients and improve overall health.

Season of Growing

White button mushroom is an evergreen plant and can be grown at any time throughout the year. But the most preferred time to grow this type of medicine is winter.

Portobello Mushrooms

The most consumed type of mushroom is the Portobello mushroom in the whole world. These mushrooms are bigger in size and thereby look impressive. Meaty flavor and earthy flavor are also the reasons for the popularity of this mushroom.

Benefits of Portobello Mushrooms

  • Rich natural source of Vitamin D
  • Good source of copper as well as selenium which maintains the health of connective tissues, the metabolism of iron in the body.
  • This mushroom consists of antioxidant properties.
  • After consumption, these mushrooms provide energy to the cells.
  • Vitamin B6 or niacin is also present in huge quantities in Portobello mushrooms. Vitamin B6 helps in the metabolizing of food into energy and regulates the synthesis of fatty acids.

Season of Growing

Portabello mushrooms can be grown in an area containing a temperature range from 18°-21° C. One should get 2-3 flushes of these mushrooms over a period of two weeks.

Shiitake mushrooms

Shiitake mushrooms are popular worldwide because of their pleasant taste, and multiple health-beneficial properties. This mushroom is native to Japan. In the Japanese language, shiitake means “oak fungus”. Fresh Shiitake mushrooms give a light woody flavor and odor. These mushrooms contain a meaty texture and are chewy in nature. Due to their medicinal properties, they are well-known and can be found easily in powdered supplements form of various herbal products. These mushrooms are also called Chinese black, brown oak, black winter, black forest, black mushroom, etc. Shiitake mushroom is high in flavor as compared with other many types of mushrooms.

Benefits of Shiitake Mushrooms

  • Shiitake mushrooms are low in calories, and thus don’t induce obesity.
  • These mushrooms are highly rich in fibers which enhance the working of the digestive system.
  • Vitamin B is present in good quantities in these mushrooms.
  • Shiitake mushrooms provide strength to the immune system.
  • Reduce the levels of bad cholesterol.
  • Decrease the risk of hardening of the arteries.
  • Maintain normal blood sugar levels.
  • These mushrooms also contain antiviral effects and antibacterial effects.

Season of Growing

Usually, Shiitake mushrooms can be grown throughout the year but are most plentiful in the spring through early fall, whereas the cultivated versions of these mushrooms are available year-round.

Oyster Mushrooms

One of the biggest types of edible mushrooms which are very common and versatile is Oyster mushrooms. These types of mushrooms are very easy to grow and cultivate mainly on decaying wood. These mushrooms are slightly sweet in taste, smell like anise, and are tender like flesh. Mild flavor and velvety texture are also some characteristics of these mushrooms. Because of their appearance similar to oyster, they get the name “Oyster.”

Benefits of Oyster Mushrooms

  • These mushrooms are mostly fat-free.
  • These are good sources of various necessary vitamins and minerals such as thiamine, vitamin b6, riboflavin, and niacin.
  • Decreases cholesterol levels.
  • Boosts the health of the cardiovascular system.
  • Increases the efficiency of the immune system.
  • Maintain a healthy body metabolism

Season of Growing

Oyster mushrooms can be grown in an area of climatic temperature ranging between 20°C and 30°C. The humidity required by these mushrooms is 55-70% and 6 to 8 months are taken by these mushrooms to grow. The preferred season to grow Oyster mushrooms is the summer season by providing the necessary humidity required for its proper growth. 

Enoki mushrooms

Enoki mushrooms are also known as Enokitake, winter fungus, or winter mushrooms. The edible variety of these mushrooms is very low and these mushrooms are crunchy when eaten. The shiny white cap is hooked up with thin stems in these mushrooms which make its appearance attractive. These mushrooms are mostly used in East Asian foods and cooking. A large portion of the population consumes these mushrooms in cooked and raw form as well as used in pasta sauces, sandwiches, soups, and salads. Basically, there are two varieties of these mushrooms: cultivated type and wild type. The wild type of mushroom differs in texture, dampness, and color. It is thicker, shorter, and contains dark brown color. On the other hand, cultivated mushrooms have slender, long stems with tiny and firm caps on them. Cultivated types of Enoki mushrooms have many benefits.

Benefits of Enoki Mushrooms

  • Rich in vitamins and minerals such as copper, calcium, thiamine, selenium, iron, phosphorus, vitamin B2, vitamin B1, vitamin B5, vitamin B3, etc.
  • These mushrooms contain a huge amount of dietary fiber and amino acids.
  • Provide strength to the immune system and improve its working.
  • Increase the working efficiency of the digestive system.
  • Lower the risk of allergies.
  • Reduce body fat.

Season of Growing

Enoki mushrooms can grow at any time throughout the year.

Shimeji mushrooms

Shimeji mushrooms are also known as clamshell, beech brown mushrooms, or Buna Shimeji. These mushrooms are native to East Asia and grow on dead beech trees. Usually speckled, racked brown caps and a white base are present on these mushrooms. When cooked, these mushrooms taste crunchy and give a pleasant flavor but when eaten in raw form, these mushrooms taste bitter.

Benefits of Shimeji Mushrooms

  • These mushrooms are free from sodium, cholesterol, and fat.
  • Fibers are present in large quantities which are healthy for our bodies.
  • Shimeji mushrooms are rich sources of proteins, copper, vitamin B, and zinc.
  • These mushrooms help in weight loss.
  • Consuming Shimeji mushrooms help in managing diabetes.
  • Anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, and antimicrobial properties are also present in these mushrooms.

Season of Growing

Wild Brown Hon Shimeji mushrooms can be obtained in the season of fall whereas cultivated brown hon Shimeji mushrooms can be obtained at any time throughout the year.

Porcini mushrooms

Porcini mushrooms are very popular mushrooms in Italian Cuisine. These are large mushrooms with a cap whose diameter can exceed up to 12 inches. These mushrooms are slightly reddish-brown in color and have a thick stems. You can consume Porcini mushrooms by using them in vegetarian dishes, pasta, eggs, broth, sauces, and meat dishes. These mushrooms are also very beneficial for health as other mushrooms are.

Benefits of Porcini Mushrooms

  • Fibers are present in huge quantities, which improves gut health.
  • Additionally. these mushrooms contain antioxidants that remove harmful toxins from the body.
  • Proteins required for muscle mass are also present in these mushrooms.
  • Also, these mushrooms are free from cholesterol, saturated fat, or trans-fat.
  • Iron is present in sufficient quantities

Season of Growing

The growing season of Porcini mushrooms is from September to November and they can grow again in the month of March or April.

Paddy Straw mushrooms

Paddy straw mushrooms are the easiest type of mushrooms to cultivate. These mushrooms were first cultivated in the year 1940 in India. Due to their delicacy, aroma, and taste, these mushrooms are also popular as white button mushrooms. Paddy straw mushrooms are very beneficial in the summer season due to their cool-giving properties. These mushrooms offer multiple health benefits as noted below.

Benefits of Paddy Straw Mushrooms

  • Paddy straw mushrooms are rich sources of vitamin c, vitamin b, iron, fiber, protein, copper, potassium, folic acid, etc.
  • These mushrooms help in reducing cholesterol levels and increasing the health of the digestive system.
  • Also, these mushrooms contain natural insulin which is advantageous for patients with diabetes.
  • The beta-glucan present in these mushrooms prevents the development of cancer cells.
  • Moreover, vitamin D is also available in large quantities which provides strength to the bones.

Season of Growing

Paddy straw mushrooms can grow in a controlled environment. The season with rains is conducive to the production of paddy straw mushrooms.

Conclusion

At last, we can conclude that mushrooms are not only good in their taste but also provide essential nutrients required by the body to stay healthy. Above mentioned various types of mushrooms are very favorable for living a healthy and disease-free life. Add mushrooms to your diet and enjoy a great life.

Moreover, maintaining a healthy lifestyle always includes a healthy diet apart from Yoga Poses and Pranayama. Adding mushrooms often to your diet improves health and also prevents diseases.

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