Mushrooms are a commonly misunderstood food, but they provide many nutritional benefits that no one should overlook. We would like to share what we know about these incredible, edible fungi.
The world is quickly gravitating toward healthier eating. As more people adopt more nutritious dietary habits, mushrooms are quickly gaining popularity thanks to their incredible nutrient density, unique and earthy flavors, and versatility in many classic dishes from all sorts of international cuisines. No matter what your tastes may be, there’s a way to add mushrooms to your diet and take advantage of their incredible health benefits in a delicious and satisfying way. Take time to review some mushroom nutrition facts and think of ways to add these incredible foods to your diet.
Why Are Mushrooms Such a Wonderful Food?
Mushrooms easily fall within the “superfood” category thanks to their fantastic nutrient density. When it comes to mushroom nutrition, mushrooms can contain up to 12 different essential vitamins and minerals, provide a great source for three different B vitamins, and contain about three times the amount of vitamin D as fortified milk. They can also contain nearly 5 milligrams of ergothioneine, an antioxidant that can protect the body’s cells against oxidation damage, promote pulmonary function, and offer several other significant health benefits.
One of the best things about mushrooms is they contain many of the nutrients found in meats, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, making them great choices for people with specific food sensitivities, allergies, or dietary restrictions. They’re a popular addition to vegetarian and vegan diets and can provide essential nutrients that some people cannot absorb from meat or dairy products. They’re also entirely fat-free, low in sodium content, and are very low-carb foods.
Another fantastic aspect of mushrooms is their flavor. Different types of mushrooms can enhance the flavor of a dish, adding depth and additional nutritional value at the same time.
Getting the Most Out of Your Mushrooms
If you’re interested in adding more mushrooms to your diet, Morel and Shiitake mushrooms are two great options that not only provide fantastic nutrient density but also incredible depth of flavor and versatility when it comes to adding them to your favorite dishes.
Preparing mushrooms comes down to choosing the right variety for the recipe you want to try. However, there are a few general rules to follow for preparing mushrooms at home for any kind of dish. Mushrooms are still produce; like any other type of produce, it’s important to rinse your mushrooms thoroughly with cool water after removing them from their packaging and then dry them on paper towels before cooking with them.
Two of South Mill Champs’ Favorite Mushrooms
Two of our favorite types of mushrooms are Shiitake mushrooms and Morel mushrooms. These two varieties are quite different in both appearance and taste, but they’re both incredibly versatile when it comes to the many ways you can enjoy them and take advantage of their health benefits.
Shiitake Mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms have a rich history in Japanese cuisine and were originally cultivated on the Japanese archipelago from local oak trees. Shiitake production continues in Japan due to these mushrooms’ traditional value as a staple ingredient in many popular dishes. More than 80% of all Shiitake mushrooms grown in the world are cultivated in Japan, but South Mill Champs produces them in our state-of-the-art farms and traditional grow houses in the United States.
Cooking with Shiitake Mushrooms
These mushrooms have a light woodsy aroma and drying them intensifies their flavor. If you enjoy Japanese cuisine you have probably already tried Shiitake mushrooms in one form or another. They’re a main ingredient in popular Japanese dishes like ramen, gyoza dumplings, and as main courses when simmered in delicate sauces. One of the best Shiitake mushroom benefits is how easy it is to cook with them. These mushrooms are versatile in the cooking world and can provide an incredible depth of flavor to many types of dishes.
Here are some delicious Shiitake mushroom recipes we offer:
Nutrition Facts About Shiitake Mushrooms
Shiitakes are perfect examples of the nutritional power of mushrooms. When it comes to Shiitake mushroom nutrition, they’re low in fat, offer high fiber content, and contain B vitamins and several essential vitamins and minerals. Shiitake mushroom calories are very low, too, making them great for maintaining a healthy weight. You should know a few key Shiitake mushroom nutrition facts:
- Shiitakes contain many of the same amino acids found in meat, making them great staple foods for people who cannot or do not eat meat products.
- They contain many essential nutrients including Niacin, Copper, Vitamin B5, Selenium, Manganese, Zinc, and Folate.
- They’re low in carbs and calories, making them ideal ingredients for low-carb diets and maintaining calorie deficits.
Morel Mushrooms
Another favorite at South Mill Champs are Morel mushrooms. When it comes to growing Morel mushrooms, this variety is a bit more delicate than other conventionally grown mushrooms and can be difficult to produce without the right growing conditions.
Flavor Profile for Morel Mushrooms
Morel mushroom recipes take advantage of this variety’s earthy and woodsy flavor. They’re popular throughout the Midwestern and Western United States and have been a staple of French cuisine for many years. If you try to forage for them in the wild, you’ll need to look closely near ash, elm, and oak trees, but they’re relatively rare finds in the wild. When it comes to the flavor profile of mushrooms, growing conditions make a huge difference in the final product. High-quality growing conditions in a controlled environment allow for consistently delicious and nutritious mushrooms.
Key Differences Between Morel and Shiitake Mushrooms
If you’re trying to decide between Shiitake and Morel mushrooms, the first major difference you’ll notice is in appearance. While Shiitake mushrooms have broad, flat caps, and have a “typical” mushroom appearance; Morel mushrooms feature honeycomb-like spongy caps.
Both Shiitake and Morel mushrooms are high in fiber, low in calories, and have equivalent sugar content. Both are also great sources of protein and potassium. Their main differences are in the other mineral and vitamin content they offer. While Shiitakes have higher Vitamin B6 content, Morel mushrooms have more Vitamin D and Thiamin. Morel mushrooms also have higher iron and calcium content than Shiitakes.
Proper Storage for Your Mushrooms
If you’re going to purchase mushrooms, you’re likely wondering how long can mushrooms last considering the fact that they mainly grow in the wild. While it’s true that they’re very hardy foods, it’s essential to keep them in safe conditions so they remain nutritious to eat.
Unlike other some other produce, you don’t want to keep mushrooms in plastic bags or sealed plastic containers in your fridge. Instead, keep them in a paper bag loosely rolled closed.
Cooking Morel and Shiitake Mushrooms Together
You’re likely to find many different mushroom recipes online that call for multiple types of mushrooms. Blending different types of mushrooms together in the same dish can offer incredible depth of flavor and variety. Morels and Shiitakes have complementary flavor profiles, so there’s no reason you can’t add them into the same dishes and enjoy their different textures. One of the best parts about cooking with mushrooms is their versatility. You can discover many surprising ways to use mushrooms and experiment with different varieties for the perfect blend for you.
Start Experimenting With Mushrooms in Your Diet
Mushrooms are incredibly nutritious, taste great when prepared in many different ways, and offer loads of variety to any diet. South Mill Champs is the leading supplier of mushrooms in North America for this reason. Start thinking of the ways you could add mushrooms to your diet, and check out South Mill Champs recipe page today for cooking with Morel and Shiitake mushrooms, other mushroom products, or contact us for bulk ordering for your food processing operation. We are everything Mushroom!
