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| It's National Mushroom Month here in the US. More mushrooms than ever are available in your farmers' markets and grocery stores. And more research is showing these friendly fungi are not only good, but good for us. |
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Crimini and Portabello (Agaricus Bisporus) are the same mushroom, the portabello being left to grow longer and larger. These mushrooms contain a variety of B complex vitamins, are an excellent source of riboflavin, pantothenic acid and niacin, are a very good source of thiamine, vitamin B6 and a good source of folate. |
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Shiitake (Lentinus Edodes) provides noteworthy benefits for ulcers, high or low blood pressure, liver problems, allergies and autoimmune diseases. |
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Maitake (Grifola Frondosa) can hamper growth and spread of cancer cells, protect normal cells from environmental carcinogens, reduce side effects of and augment chemotherapy, stimulate anti-tumor and anti-microbial activity, and help to halt HIV proliferation. |
Popular Mushrooms in America |
| COMMON NAME |
WHITE |
CRIMINI – Brown |
PORTABELL0 |
SHIITAKE |
MAITAKE |
| Scientific Name |
Agaricus Bisporus |
Agaricus Bisporus |
Agaricus Bisporus |
Lentinus Edodes |
Grifola Frondosa |
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Can have closed veils (caps that fit closely to the stem) with white caps and delicate flavor or open veils with darker caps and richer taste. Represent about 90% of mushrooms consumed in the U.S. |
Similar in appearance to whites but with a light tan to rich brown cap and a firmer texture. Deeper, earthier flavor than white mushrooms. |
Larger relative of the white and crimini; caps measure up to 6 inches in diameter. Longer growing cycle than whites and criminis. Deep, meat-like texture and flavor. |
Tan to dark brown with broad, umbrella-shaped caps, wide-open veils and tan gills. Rich and woodsy with a meaty texture. |
Rippling, fan-shaped, with no caps. Also called “hen of the woods.” Distinguished by cluster of dark fronds. Distinctive aroma with a rich, woodsy taste. |
| Calories |
19 |
19 |
22 |
47 |
NA |
| Fat |
0.3 gm |
0.1 gm |
0.2 gm |
0.2 gm |
NA |
| Sodium |
3 mg |
5 mg |
5 mg |
3 mg |
0.1 mg |
| Carbohydrate |
2.8 gm |
3.5 gm |
4.3 gm |
12.1 gm |
NA |
| Protein |
2.6 gm |
2.1 gm |
2.1 gm |
1.3 gm |
NA |
| Fiber |
1.0 mg |
0.5 mg |
1.3 mg |
1.8 mg |
NA |
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| Source: Mushroom Council |
