Mushroom Facts

Interesting Tidbits:

1. Study of mushrooms (fungi) is called mycology and people who study this are called mycologists.
2. Mushrooms are believed to have been in existence since the tertiary period.
3. Discolouration of silver, brass and onions were often a sign that the mushroom is poisonous. But experts say, this is not a reliable test as some edible mushrooms too discolour silver, brass and onions. It is not clear whether no discolouration is a definite indication of an edible mushroom.
4. It is not clear whether 'mushroom' is the corruption of two Welsh words maes (field)  and rhum (knob) or the corruption of the French word mousseron, the French word for mushrooms, that grow in mossy place.

Nutrition:

1. Mushroom is supposedly a high protein food. But it contains only 1.5 gms of protein /100 gms. 100 gms of legumes however, have 5 gms of protein.
2. The potassium content in mushroom is really high compared to other vegetarian sources 506 mg/100 gms as opposed to 244 mg/100 gms in legumes and 356 mg / 100 gms in coconut.
3. 100 gms of mushrooms contain a mere 36 calories when compared to 81 and 354 for legumes and coconut respectively.

Tips for cooking Mushrooms

1. Mushrooms should always be cooked slowly as cooking on a high flame evaporates the flavour.
2. Another tip to retain the flavour of mushrooms is to cook it covered.
3. When making stuffed mushrooms, leave mushrooms in salt water for about 5 minutes. If baking, bake covered on low heat.

Resources:

1. Student's Handbook of Mushrooms of America
2. Recipes for Cooking Mushrooms
3. Among the Mushrooms