Mushrooms add texture and flavor to many dishes, not to mention providing valuable sources of dietary fiber. But measuring mushrooms by cups or pounds may be daunting for some; here are some conversion tables to make cooking with mushrooms much simpler.
Though magic mushrooms remain illegal in most places, they have become more readily available and affordable in areas that have decriminalized them. An ounce of mushrooms can range in cost between $30-$200 depending on its species and vendor.
Eco-friendly
A pound of mushrooms contains 20 to 24 pieces of medium-sized fresh button mushrooms. This amount is enough to make a delicious salad, soup, snack or appetizer at an affordable price from local stores. Mushrooms provide many nutritional advantages including potassium and vitamin D while supporting local economies by purchasing from growers who specialize in them.
Mushrooms are an energy- and water-efficient food crop, boasting low carbon emissions. Mushrooms also make an excellent protein source, can be grown year-round in most climates, produce significantly less waste than other food items and are easy to grow – they even make great compost!
One pound of mushrooms requires only 1.0 kilowatt hour (kwh) of energy to produce, which is equivalent to running your coffee maker for one hour each day. Therefore, mushrooms make an ideal option for consumers concerned with environmental sustainability who wish to limit their use of fossil fuels when it comes to food production.
Mushroom cultivation requires far less energy than many other food products; producing one pound of mushrooms only produces 0.7 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions compared to beef which may generate up to 1000 times higher emissions per unit of weight than that from mushrooms.
Other food products have an enormous water waste footprint, with one six-ounce hamburger using up to 674 gallons. Mushroom production, on the other hand, uses only 1.8 gallons to make one pound.
Mushroom growers can reduce both energy usage and waste production by recycling substrate and packaging materials. Doing this reduces their environmental impact while protecting local waters from contaminants entering. Plus, such materials contain plenty of essential nutrients which make an excellent soil amendment.
Delicious
Mushrooms make a delicious addition to any dish with their earthy flavor and low caloric intake. Not only are they low cal, but mushrooms provide essential nutrients like potassium, selenium, copper and B-complex vitamins – as well as an umami flavor which perfectly enhances meat dishes! Mushrooms can be used as garnishes or added raw or cooked in many recipes like soups and stews – delicious additions.
While mushrooms may not be a staple in every kitchen, they’re easily available at grocery stores and farmers markets, are relatively affordable, and contain umami — one of the five primary taste senses. Integrating mushrooms into your diet may offer many health benefits from improving digestion to increasing immune strength.
Mushrooms come in all kinds of varieties and flavors can vary widely depending on their species, from mild and creamy to woody and savory. Mushrooms are an easy addition to a range of foods from steak dinners and roast chicken dishes, to salads or pizza. They make for delicious side dishes or appetizers.
The Chicken of the Woods mushroom is an amazing example of an edible wild mushroom that makes for an amazing feast when prepared properly. This bright orange bracket fungus boasts succulent and succulent texture similar to tender chicken meat; with mild flavors and delicate fruity aromas that make this an excellent vegetarian/vegan protein replacement option. These mushrooms can either be enjoyed whole, or cut up and sauteed with wine, butter and herbs before devoured whole.
The button or portobellini mushroom variety can be found widely at supermarkets and farmers markets, and is generally quite accessible for most budgets. While they tend to cost slightly more than other varieties, choosing fresh, unblemished mushrooms ensures they remain safe to eat.
Easy to grow
Mushrooms can be grown in many different ways. Some varieties are easy and profitable, while others require additional care in order to produce an abundant harvest. When selecting the appropriate species of mushroom for your space and resources, be sure to select varieties which are popular within your local community; this will guarantee a market for them once harvested.
Mushroom cultivation requires a dark, cool, and moist environment; an ideal setting is indoors in a climate-controlled setting with ideal temperatures between 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit. Mushroom growing requires inoculated substrate and water supply – as well as thermometer monitoring soil temperature – with straw, wood chips or composted manure being popular choices as an inoculant substrate material.
If you want to grow psilocybin mushrooms, it’s wiser and cheaper to purchase spores rather than try cultivating them yourself. Spores typically cost $35 to $50 per strain compared to dried mushrooms; also note that different strains have different effects and potencies; those more potent tend to be harder to cultivate.
No matter if you are growing mushrooms for culinary or medicinal use, having the appropriate set-up is key to success. Logs suitable for mushroom cultivation can often be found through local forest services or timber yards; tree surgeons or council parks departments might even have some available; logs should be free of knots and at least 10cm (6 inches in diameter); mushrooms flourish best when grown on hardwood species such as oak, beech, birch or hazel trees.
Starting mushroom farming requires using a kit, which includes everything needed to start growing mushrooms. A typical kit may contain sterilized sawdust and wood chips as well as inoculation spore mix for inoculating oyster or shiitake varieties.
Another method for mushroom cultivation is sowing grain spawn in neglected lawn areas or around compost heaps from spring through August. The grain spawn will then colonize the turf, producing mushrooms. Straw bales or bags filled with straw, corncobs, and cocoa seed hulls also work well to create an enclosed growing environment resembling nature conditions for mushrooms to flourish in.
Safe
Mushrooms are safe to eat and add flavor and texture to any dish, while being low in both calories and fat – making them a nutritious addition to any diet. Plus, mushrooms contain vitamin D which supports strong bones as well as immunity – they’ve even been known to lower blood pressure levels!
Though mushrooms are edible, if grown or prepared improperly they can become poisonous and should only be consumed under supervision from experienced mushroom growers. It is wise to only consume those grown by experienced growers or bought from stores that have been refrigerated and prepacked; their plastic wrap or film should contain holes that allow airflow for proper botulism protection.
Price variations in mushrooms depend on various factors. One such variable is quantity purchased; mushrooms are commonly sold by weight; an ounce equals approximately 30 grams while an eighth of a pound typically costs between $5 and $12. Genus of the mushrooms can also affect pricing; as certain species only exist in certain climates, importing can increase costs considerably.
Psilocybin mushrooms, with hallucinogenic properties, should only be consumed under medical supervision and may even be considered illegal drugs in most countries and states; some states have decriminalized their consumption. Psilocybin is an extremely toxic substance which may lead to serious side effects – potentially even death – so it’s wise to avoid eating it altogether. If you suspect you or someone you know have eaten toxic mushrooms, immediately seek medical help immediately: if collapse, stop breathing, severe reaction occur call triple zero immediately for medical aid; otherwise contact Victoria Poisons Information Centre for advice.
