Time To Be Mushroomistic!
Discover > Texas Home Cooking > Foraging > Time To Be Mushroomistic!
Did you know that Texas is home to about 10,000 species of Mushrooms! But not all of them can be consumed safely. At least 100 of them contain toxic substances and are therefore, unfit for human consumption. It is important to know which mushrooms you can have and which ones to avoid. The most popular ones found in Texas include morels, oyster and chanterelle mushrooms.
Morel mushrooms are found in Texas Springs in moist areas around dead sycamore or elm trees. Texas has been known for its chanterelle, and you can find them growing under oaks or conifers. The chanterelle mushroom is the easiest one to find here.
Fresh edible flowers are a delicious and nutritious way to add a unique twist to any meal! Whether you’re looking for a more creative garnish, a delightful burst of color, or an exciting flavor boost, edible blooms can help you transform your dishes into something truly extraordinary. With so many varieties to choose from, you can explore the unique floral flavors, aromas, and textures of each flower – from sweet and mellow honeysuckle edible flower petals to tart and piquant nasturtiums, to the spicy kick of chive flower blossoms. Get creative in the kitchen and bring an extra spark of flavor and beauty to your recipes with edible flowers!
Mushroom Support Groups In Texas
Austin based, Texas Wild Mushrooming group focuses on exploring and identifying edible mushrooms in Central Texas. The Central Texas foragers look for mushrooms and other wild foods.
The Texas Mycological Society and the Gulf States Mycological Club bring together amateur and professional mycologists. There is a mushroom festival every year held in our very own Madisonville, also known as the mushroom capital of Texas!
Mushrooms have off late, garnered a lot of interest from the health conscious due to their nutritional and medicinal properties. People are going as far as having medicinal mushroom powders (how long does mushroom powder last?) or capsules to reap the full health benefits of mushrooms.
So, what is it that makes these fungi so unique and what nutritional advantages do they provide over other food sources?
Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of a fungus. The 3 main types of mushrooms are- edible, psychoactive, and toxic.
Edible mushrooms are simply edible without any health risks. Toxic mushrooms are not fit for human consumption as they contain toxins that can cause irreversible side effects or danger to life.
Psychoactive mushrooms or magic mushrooms also called shrooms are specific Psilocybin mushrooms that can cause a psychedelic impact on the mind. People have been known to experience varying degrees of mystical experiences as a side effect of having shrooms.
Today, we are going to be talking more in depth about the edible mushrooms, their varieties and their health benefits.
Each mushroom species is unique in its own way in terms of looks, taste and nutritional values. Many of them have a mix of vitamins, minerals, antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Edible mushrooms have no cholesterol or fat , plus they add a unique umami flavor to meatless dishes, So it is a win-win for those who want to take a break from meat.
Most Mushrooms Have A Good Amount Of
Beta Glucans For Good Immune Function
Beta glucans are carbohydrates that do not go to your waistline and instead they balance your immune system. Mushrooms contain unique types of beta glucans, which stimulate your immune system into producing more killer cells that fight toxins.
Anti-Tumor And Anti-Cancer Properties
Studies show that Reishi mushrooms and Turkey tail may have anti-cancer properties. Patients taking treatment for breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer have shown positive results when mushroom extracts are included into their regimen.
Defence Against Oxidative Stress
Medicinal mushrooms are one of the most concentrated sources for anti-oxidants you will find in the world!
Our immune system cannot neutralize too many free radicals, and our body cells are exposed to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can lead to a whole list of age related conditions like heart disease, Alzheimer's, high blood pressure and so on.
Balances Blood Pressure And Blood Sugar Levels
Mushrooms are pre-biotic in nature , so they help your body to utilize glucose effectively and reduce blood sugar levels.
The antioxidants and vital nutrients in mushrooms can prevent plaque from building up on your artery walls and hence reduce blood vessel hardening. They also contain no cholesterol so that's a great plus for maintaining a healthy blood pressure level.
Promote Mental Health And Support The Central Nervous System
Nerve growth factor reminder helps to regrow, repair and maintain nerves in your brain. Lions mane is a type of a mushroom that contains special antioxidants and phytonutrients which stimulate the nerve growth factor.
Mushrooms can help reduce risks of mental illnesses like dementia, memory loss and even depression.
So how do we decide which mushroom is the best for us?
Quite simple.
I don't specifically pick out mushrooms based on their nutritional benefits. Since I know all edible mushrooms have a nice variety of vitamins and minerals, I buy the freshest available batch of locally sourced mushrooms which I know my kids will enjoy. The texture of mushrooms can be quite tricky for kids to develop a liking towards.
White Button Mushroom
You can start with the more commonly found white button mushrooms which have a more balanced flavor and fragrance. They are a great source of vitamin D And research shows that they may help fight tumor growth.
Portobello Mushroom
The Portobello mushroom is quite close to the white button mushroom as it is the same species but just a different variety. It is brown instead of white and is typically allowed to grow a little longer than the buttons. Portabello mushrooms have high potassium content which helps to prevent stroke and promotes nerve growth.
Chanterelle Mushroom
These beautiful yellow colored mushrooms are a great source of B vitamins-1, 2, 3, and 5 all of which are essential for the absorption of vitamins in your cells. Chanterelle mushrooms can't be commercially grown So the ones you find are definitely found in the wild and precious!
Oyster Mushroom
Oyster mushrooms are pearl colored, sweet tasting mushrooms with a fruity aroma. They are a great source of folic acid and calcium and have shown to reduce blood glucose levels in diabetic patients.
Morel Mushroom
This species has an oblong or bulbous shape, with a comb like or pit like pattern that makes the mushroom stand out. It is also well known for its meaty texture and a nutty and earthy flavor.
Morels are quite rare and grow around dead tulip, oak and ash trees. Like most other species, morels also have their share of dangerous imitators. Therefore it is important to be able to differentiate between a morel and a ‘false morel’.
There are several other edible mushrooms which are rarer and more unique like the enoki, shitake and Porcini. The idea is to eat what you can find easily and locally near you, so you don’t go about spending a fortune trying to get your hands on some mushrooms.
As for the medicinal varieties of mushrooms, there is another post all about it, do check it out!
Check out these local Texas foods that fight colon cancer.
