What Do Mushrooms Taste Like? Do They All Taste The Same?

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Mushrooms are neither fruits nor vegetables, yet it’s common knowledge that edible mushrooms exist. Mushrooms are classified as fungi, which makes some people avoid eating them. You can tell people about mushrooms’ nutritional value, having nearly zero fat, low calories, and low sodium, but that won’t convince everyone to immediately add the fungus to their diet. As a fungus, you may associate mushrooms with the ground or dead tree roots from which they grow. This doesn’t help make them more appetizing. So, what do mushrooms taste like? Do they all taste the same?

Mushrooms generally taste a bit earthy and depending on the variety somewhat spongey texture. The fungi’s slight savory flavor makes it a common meat substitute among vegans or vegetarians. There are different kinds of mushrooms, all of which may not offer the same earthy, savory flavor. This article discusses the flavors of common edible mushrooms you can find in your local supermarket.

What Do Mushrooms Taste Like?

No one can blame you if you’re the type to remove mushrooms from your pizza toppings. They have funny shapes and are usually grey, making them look unappetizing.

Regardless of mushrooms’ appearance, they are edible and contain some of the lowest calories as an ingredient. Their flavors vary and usually depend on the food you are cooking them in. Mushrooms are more an ingredient than actual food, so they mostly offer more texture than flavor.

Mushrooms are usually spongy in texture, but when you prepare them correctly, you may use them as substitutes for meat. Mushrooms are also generally good sources of protein, offering 2g of protein per 70g serving size of mushrooms.

Still, not all mushrooms are the same and may offer slightly different flavors. Different types of mushrooms come in different shapes and sizes, making them ideal for specific dishes. Here are some of the common edible mushrooms and what they taste like:

What Do Enoki Mushrooms Taste Like?

Enoki mushrooms have a delicate flavor. These mushrooms have thin stalks with white, button-like heads and offer a slight crunch due to their skinniness. Their crisp texture makes them ideal for salads or additions to ramen noodle dishes. These mushrooms are also thin enough to cook in a hot pot’s broth, so they can taste like the chicken or beef stock you’re boiling.

Nutrient content claims for enoki mushrooms include being a good source of vitamin B3 and free of any fats (saturated or otherwise), cholesterol, and sodium. When shopping for this kind of mushroom at the supermarket, look for creamy-looking mushrooms. They should be dry and firm without any slime or spots. You can keep these mushrooms in the coldest corner of your refrigerator in a plastic bag for up to 10 days.

What Do Morel Mushrooms Taste Like?

Morel mushrooms taste just as they smell, which is usually earthy and nutty. Depending on how you cook this mushroom, they can also taste musky and smoky. When choosing morel mushrooms from the supermarket, look for firm ones with a fleshy texture and a distinct, earthy scent. Avoid the slimy ones with soft spots and bruising. You can store these mushrooms in wax paper or a paper bag in the refrigerator for up to three days, as long as you gently wipe them with a damp cloth to remove any remaining dirt.

Morel mushrooms have several nutritional benefits. Like most edible mushrooms, these mushrooms are fat-free, saturated fat-free, cholesterol-free, and low in sodium. Morel mushrooms are excellent sources of vitamin D (which helps absorb calcium and protects heart health), copper, and iron. These mushrooms also are good sources of manganese and phosphorus, which are vital trace minerals for maintaining bodily functions.

What Do Oyster Mushrooms Taste Like?

Despite its name, oyster mushrooms only taste like seafood when you cook them with a seafood dish. Uncooked oyster mushrooms usually taste mild and oaky, ideal for salads if you want to enjoy them raw. This mushroom’s texture is versatile enough to mimic real meat. So, you can use it as a barbeque substitute as long as you prepare it with the right spices.

Look for oyster mushrooms that resemble scallops. They should be firm, free of slime, and may come in either pale grey or brown colors. When storing this mushroom in your refrigerator, you need to wrap it in a moist towel before placing it in a plastic or paper bag. If you are storing it in a paper bag, be sure to secure the end so it can last up to two weeks.

This mushroom’s nutrient claims include the standard among other edible mushrooms, being free of saturated fats, unsaturated fats, and cholesterol, low levels of sodium, and good sources of vitamins B2 and B3.

What Do Shiitake Mushrooms Taste Like?

Shiitake mushrooms are packed with robust earthy flavors. Shiitake mushroom caps feel almost like meat when cooked properly, while its stalks can be a bit tough unless you cook them long enough to achieve a chewy texture. Like most good mushrooms, you’ll want to avoid the slimy and spotty ones when shopping for shiitake mushrooms.

These mushrooms offer a refrigerator life of up to one week. Be sure to keep them in their original container or secure them in a paper bag to maximize storage life.

Among its nutritional benefits, shiitake mushrooms are good sources of vitamins B2, B3, and B6. They also offer phosphorus for bone and teeth formation while being low in sodium and free of any fats and cholesterol.

So Do All Mushrooms Taste The Same?

Generally, mushrooms have an earthy, slightly savory flavor. However, the answer is no because different types of edible mushrooms may offer different flavors that you might compare with chicken meat. Overall, mushrooms should taste like the dish you are adding the ingredient into. Mushrooms lend a unique texture that can pass for meat and absorb the spices of whatever dish you are cooking.

If you are curious about any food, whether you want to know if something is edible or if you’re looking for substitutes for a particular spice, we have all the information you need. Visit our foodies category on our website for all your food curiosities.