The Magic of Edible Mushrooms
Happy Spring, this is a time where we start to see rebirth, growth and warmer weather. We also start to see more rainy days and dampness; an environment where mold and fungus thrive! These organisms often get a bad rap, but not all fungi are created equal. Mushrooms are a type of fungus that are used in several different ways like adding them to your favorite dishes or mixing in your morning coffee; some are even labeled as delicacies and infused into olive oils for flavor (i.e. truffles)! Some mushrooms have been in the spotlight for providing potential benefits such as assisting in stress adaptation, decreasing inflammation, immune system support and even nerve regeneration. When pacing the aisles of your local grocery store you may see white button mushrooms, shitake mushrooms and portabella mushrooms but did you know there are SO MANY MORE types of edible mushrooms that are not usually sold in grocery store? To find mushrooms in your area, look for local mushroom farms online or visit your local farmers markets. You can even grow mushrooms in your kitchen with mushroom growing kits!
Mushroom Basics?
Mushrooms are a type of fungus that grow from the ground, bugs, plants or decaying matter. The visible mushroom (also known as the fruiting body) that you see when hiking on a trail is not the whole organism, there is a network of mycelium (a white webbing that the mushrooms begin from) underneath the fruiting body that can span from a few feet to a few miles in spread underground.
Look for these types of mushrooms at your local farmers market, mushroom farm or specialty grocery stores! Do not try mushrooms out in the wild; some edible mushrooms can have poisonous look-a-likes. Mushrooms are also being sold on the shelves in the nutritional supplement aisle s teas, powders and coffee. Please keep in mind that supplements are not regulated with the same laws that food is and the label may not match what is actually in that supplement bottle. Be a smart consumer and always consider a whole food first approach.
For more information on smart supplement shopping, download our FREE PDF to use as a guide at the store!
(Photo by Katie Fischer taken on a hike in Wisconsin) *The mushroom above is not an edible mushroom; used for visual purposes only.