Mushrooms are the reproductive structures that are produced by certain types of fungi. Not unlike the “fruit” of a plant, the seeds produced by the mushroom are microscopic spores, which number in the millions, are found in the “gills” or pores under the mushroom’s cap. A mushroom is in a class by itself. It is neither vegetable nor animal. As a type of fungus, the mushroom is in a kingdom all its own.
Mushrooms are vegan-friendly. Classified in the Fungi kingdom and not the Animalia kingdom, they are considered a “plant” type of species. Vegans can consume mushrooms, as they do not have a CNS, or central nervous system, like animals do, therefore any use of them is not considered to be cruel or exploitative. Other vegan alternatives include tofu and eggplant.
In this article, we’ll take a look at a number of the types of mushrooms, their nutritional value, the various uses for mushrooms, and even some alternatives to this versatile food, if you are just mushroom-adverse.
Contents
What Are Mushrooms?
First, a word about the differences between mushrooms and plants. The main difference is that plants “eat” their food through photosynthesis. They possess chlorophyll in their parts and photosynthesis is how they produce their food. Mushrooms, on the other hand, exist by “eating” the decaying materials in nature.
Mushrooms should not be confused with mildew or any other form of fungi. While they belong to the Fungi kingdom, they are not included within the 144,000 species of mold, yeast or rust.
Types of mushrooms
There are 10 types of common mushrooms.
- White button – This edible mushroom is white and brown in color, and is usually the most affordable of all the common mushrooms. When it “grows up,” it is known as the Portobello mushroom.
- Crimini – Another edible mushroom, this brown variety is the young, or “baby” Portobello, a mature white button. Crimini mushrooms are usually bigger than the white button.
- Portobello – These are larger mushrooms, usually the size of the palm of the hand. They are very dense and have a very rich taste, making them a perfect substitute for meats in dishes. You can even use them as a substitute for bread or buns.
- Shiitake – Mostly found in Asian cuisine, the shiitake mushroom is woodsy in flavor and is used to enhance sauces and soups.
- Porcini – Found mostly in Italian cuisines, the porcini, or porcino, mushroom has a nutty flavor and is very smooth. Adding them to pasta, sauces, and risottos are the most common uses for this flavorful little fellow.
- Chanterelle – Orange, yellow, meaty and shaped like trumpets, the chanterelle mushroom is foraged in the wild, making them difficult to harvest.
- Oyster – This mushroom is found growing on the sides of trees and is the most cultivated edible mushroom worldwide.
- Enoki – Available in fresh or canned varieties, the enoki mushroom should be consumed only when the fresh variety is firm with white, shiny caps. The slimy, brownish stalk variety should be avoided. These mushrooms work well in soups and salads.
- Shimeji – One of the common mushroom varieties which needs to be cooked to be consumed, the shimeji mushroom is also nutty in its flavor profile. This variety works well in stir-frys, soups and stews.
- Morel – Hailed as one of the best mushrooms in French cuisine, the morel, or morchella, mushroom is amazing in soups, or as a filling for pastas. They are also enjoyed just sautéed in butter, with a little salt and pepper.
Nutritional value of mushrooms
There are many medicinal and health benefits from mushrooms:
- Low calorie
- Provides antioxidants such as selenium and ergothioneine
- Provides B vitamins, including riboflavin, pantothenic acid and niacin
- Potassium rich – replace a medium-size banana with ⅔ cup of mushrooms
- Provides D vitamins for those who cannot eat fish or dairy
- Beta glucan enhances the immune system and improve cholesterol levels
- Phytochemicals found in mushrooms have been shown to have anti-cancer benefits.
Uses of mushrooms
Mushrooms are used in a variety of different ways with cooking and raw dishes:
- As a topping on pizzas
- In soups and stews
- Raw in salads
- As a sautéed topping for sandwiches or burgers
- As a grilled alternative to steak or hamburgers
- As the bun for a hamburger, instead of carb-loaded bread
- Added to stir-fry dishes
- Sautéed with lemon and garlic
- Sautéed with Brussels sprouts and bacon
- Stuffed with bacon, artichokes, or sausage as an appetizer
- Served with seafood
- Skewered with other vegetables for a grilled kabob
- Baked into a cheese bread
Mushrooms as a Coffee Substitute
Mushrooms have also become pretty popular as a coffee substitute:
This concept may have taken on a new popularity today, but it dates back to World War II, in Finland, when coffee beans were hard to come by.
The mushrooms most commonly used for coffee are of the medicinal varieties:
- Lion’s mane
- Reishi
- Chaga
- Turkey’s tail
- Cordyceps
These mushrooms are dehydrated, ground up into fine powders and then mixed with high quality ground coffee beans. You then make it the same way you make your regular cup of joe.
Today, manufacturers are using the mushroom for coffee, in addition to coffee beans, hailing the medicinal and health benefits of the little fungus. These mushrooms purportedly reduce anxiety, improve brain function, promote immunity, and treat symptoms of depression.
Also, since the mushroom coffee blends tend to have a lower caffeine content, but still produce the same energizing and focus results, coffee drinkers who love the flavor but might have sensitivities to large caffeine amounts, can benefit from mushroom coffee blends.
Some of the more popular brands of mushroom coffee are:
Four Sigmatic Ground Mushroom Coffee with Lion’s Mane
Organic, fair-trade certified, and single origin, the Four Sigmatic mushroom coffee blends help you focus on your work or hobbies without the jitters associated with caffeine.
Ingredients:
- Organic and fair trade coffee
- Organic Chaga mushroom
- Organic Lion’s Mane mushroom
Nutrition Facts (for 4 tablespoon serving):
- 5 – Calories
- 0 g – Total Fat
- 0 mg – Sodium
- 1 g – Total Carbohydrate
Shrooms BE WELL Reishi Mushroom Coffee
Keto, vegan, and paleo-friendly, as well as being dairy and gluten-free, the Shrooms brand of mushroom coffee supports your immune system and gut health.
Ingredients:
- Organic Arabica coffee
- Reishi Extract
Nutrition Facts (for 4 tablespoon serving):
- 5 – Calories
- 0 g – Total Fat
- 0 mg – Sodium
- 1 g – Total Carbohydrate
Mushrooms as Medicinal Tea
In addition to coffee, mushrooms are also famously known for being a medicinal tea.
Aiding in your response to stress, boosting your immune system and gut health, is mushroom teas. Containing prebiotics for gut health and adaptogens to help stabilize your body during times of stress, here are a couple of the brands of mushroom teas available.
Traditional Medicinals Herbal Tea, Organic, Reishi Mushroom
Non-GMO certified, kosher, and certified organic, the Reishi mushroom tea is known for supporting immune health and keeping the body in balance.
Ingredients:
- Organic Reishi fruiting body dry aqueous extract
- Organic rooibos herb
- Organic orange peel
- Organic orange peel oil
Nutrition Facts (for 8 fluid ounce serving):
- 0 – Calories
- 0 g – Total Fat
- 0 mg – Sodium
- 0 g – Total Carbohydrate
Buddha Teas Herbal Tea, Chaga
Caffeine and gluten free, vegan, and kosher, the Chaga mushroom tea contains over 215 phytonutrients and has a high ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) score.
Ingredients:
- Chaga Mushroom
Nutrition Facts (for 8 fluid ounce serving):
- 0 – Calories
- 0 g – Total Fat
- 0 mg – Sodium
- 0 g – Total Carbohydrate
Alternatives to mushrooms
Have an aversion to mushrooms? Does the thought of eating fungus make you a little queasy? There are alternative vegetables and other foods you can try which can substitute for this friendly little fungus.
Tofu
Hailed as the top mushroom alternative, tofu, the compressed soybean paste, won’t taste like a mushroom, but you can add spices which will help create mushroom flavor, like garlic powder and onion powder.
Eggplant
The texture of the eggplant is very similar to that of many mushroom varieties. It has a “springy” quality and when cooked until it’s soft and tender, it can mimic the same result as mushrooms in a dish. Always remove the skin first before you cook it, as the skin has a distinctive flavor, which is definitely not that of a mushroom.
Tempeh
Tempeh is made from soybeans which have been fermented. This has a heartier texture, more so than tofu, so it is more similar to mushrooms. Tempeh can be sliced thinly to resemble a large mushroom for a sandwich, or added to stews and sauces for dishes.
Zucchini
The delectable summer squash, zucchini can be a great alternative to mushrooms, as it has roughly the same texture. Try not to cook it too long when you are making a recipe which calls for mushrooms, as it can get mushy and lose some of its flavor.
Final Thoughts
Mushrooms are a vegan food. They are not a plant, but they are not part of the animal kingdom, either. As a fungus, they are considered to be a food which vegans can consume. With a wide variety of uses, both in meals and as a raw ingredient, mushrooms are also popular in coffee blends and teas.
Related Questions
Are mushrooms good for you?
With health benefits like regulating cholesterol, providing potassium and other vitamins, and boosting the immune system, mushrooms have a wide range of health and medicinal benefits.
Are mushrooms paleo?
Mushrooms are a paleo-friendly food. They are unprocessed and used from their natural state. They are also high in many nutrients which prevent diseases and, even though they are low in calories, they are actually very filling.
Are mushrooms protein?
Mushrooms provide a wide range of nutrients and each variety has its own amount of protein. If you are looking to substitute mushrooms for meat, try the Portobello variety to get the most amount of protein.