Wild morel mushroom is the queen of edible mushrooms. Their strong aroma makes them coveted mushrooms, which give each dish in which they have used a distinctive taste.These mushrooms develop their complex aroma especially when they are dried and soaked in water before preparation. Before further processing, fresh Wild morel mushroom must first be plucked out carefully and then washed to clean them of dirt and sand that has collected in the honeycomb. They are great foods as they accompany dishes with meat as well as with fish or seafood and are ideal companions for asparagus and other spring vegetables.
Characteristics: The yellow to the black-brown mushroom has a conical hat and is 4 to 8 cm in size. In addition, it has irregularly arranged, honeycomb-like depressions separated by wavy ribs. The stem is 4 to 6 cm long and 2 to 3 cm thick. It is wrinkled on the outside and hollows just like the hat on the inside. The flesh is whitish in color and has a spicy taste. A distinction is made between connoisseurs the egg-shaped table morel and the cone-shaped pointed morel.
PRODUCT INFO
Shiitake mushrooms range in colors from amber to paper bag-brown. Each mushroom has an umbrella shaped cap with a curled rim. Their caps have a cream-colored supple-firm interior. Unlike mature shiitake mushrooms, Shiitake mushrooms are entirely edible as their thin stalks are still tender when young. When cooked, shiitakes release a garlic-pine aroma and have a rich, earthy, umami flavor.
These shiitakes are farm raised and harvested on protein-filled sterile sawdust logs that have been inoculated with shiitake spores. The individual logs can produce over 4 pounds of mushrooms during their lifetime. They are also 100% recyclable; once the logs are exhausted they can be used for composting or as a natural fertilizer.
USES
Shiitake mushrooms, like mature Shiitake, are widely used in Asian cuisine. They are not limited to Asian recipes, though, and as a cultivated variety, they may be substituted in recipes calling for "wild mushrooms". Pair shiitake with Asian mustard greens, eggplant, rice, noodles, garlic, soy and chile. May be sauteed, roasted or skewered and grilled.
Season
Shiitake mushrooms are harvested on logs year-round. Their growth, and hence availability, is dependent upon how well the log feeds them.
PRODUCT INFO
Eryngii mushrooms are medium to large in size and are easily identified by their thick cylindrical stem and their small, flattened cap. The ivory to white stems can grow up to twenty centimeters in length, five centimeters in diameter, and are firm, dense, and chewy. The small, smooth caps are grey to brown and have rounded, curved edges. Underneath the cap, the stem and cap are joined by off-white, thin, short, gills, though dense and spongy in texture, lack aroma and flavor, but when cooked, the mushrooms have a savory umami flavor, a soft, crunchy texture, and a mild flavor reminiscent of abalone. Eryngii mushrooms contain riboflavin, vitamins B6, C, and D, niacin, potassium, fiber, and folate. They also contain high amounts of a naturally occurring amino acid, ergothioneine, which is an antioxidant. This particular antioxidant is stored in organs like the liver and kidneys and helps reduce the risk of chronic disease.
USES
Eryngii mushrooms are best suited for cooked applications such as grilling, roasting, baking, sauteing and frying. They can be sliced or torn into thick pieces and simmered or braised to create a crispy texture, or they can be cut into rounds to develop a tender, meat-like consistency. King Trumpet mushrooms are commonly used in stir-fries, soups, stews, tempura, chopped into meatballs or meatloaf, mixed into pasta, or grilled and served on top of barbequed meats. King Trumpet mushrooms pair well with legumes, grains, fish, poultry, scallops, Asian greens, ginger, garlic, chives, chiles, thyme, rosemary, peppercorn, soy, vinegar, dry white wines, blue cheese, grapes, and focaccia. They will keep 1-2 weeks when stored in a paper bag in the refrigerator.
Season
Eryngii mushrooms are available year-round.
White Button Mushroom
White button mushrooms are small with a white, edible stem that is dense, thick, and smooth. When raw, they have a mild, crisp texture, and once cooked, they develop an earthy flavor with a tender, chewy consistency.
1. Portobello Mushrooms
Portobello mushrooms are large, with dark brown, fleshy gills and a small ring beneath the cap. The stems are fibrous, white, and dense. When cooked, they have a chewy, meaty texture and a smoky, earthy flavor.
2 Shiitake Mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms are small to medium-sized with thin stems and wide, umbrella-shaped caps ranging in color from light to dark brown. They are known for their curled rim, and their firm, chewy, and spongy cream-colored flesh.
3. Oyster Mushrooms
Oyster mushrooms feature a funnel-shaped cap that can be white to light brown or dark brown, with whitish-yellow gills. The stem is off-center, and the cap grows in overlapping clusters, giving them a shelf-like appearance. The flesh is white and tender.
4. Enoki Mushrooms
Enoki mushrooms grow in long clusters with string-like stems and small white caps. They offer a mild flavor with a crunchy texture, making them ideal for salads, soups, meat dishes, and garnishing. The spongy base of the mushrooms should be removed before use.
5. Shimeji Mushrooms
Shimeji mushrooms are best enjoyed cooked, as they develop a pleasant, firm, slightly crunchy texture and a mildly nutty flavor. If eaten raw, they have a bitter taste that disappears once cooked.
6. Porcini Mushrooms
Porcini mushrooms are known for their nutty, earthy flavor and meaty texture. They have a deeper, richer flavor compared to other mushrooms. Dried porcini mushrooms add depth to broths and sauces, and they become slightly chewy when rehydrated.
7. Paddy Straw Mushrooms
Also known as Volvariella volvacea, Paddy Straw mushrooms are widely cultivated in East and Southeast Asia. Popular in Asian cuisines, they are the third most consumed mushroom globally. While available fresh in Asia, they are typically found in canned or dried forms in other regions.
