we’re covering the most popular types of mushrooms from A to Z in this helpful guide to EDIBLE mushrooms!
TYPES OF MUCHROOMS
Beech mushrooms are known for their distinctive crunchy texture and subtle flavor. They derive their name from their natural tendency to thrive on fallen beech trees in East Asia, particularly in Japan. Although they can be eaten raw, their taste is quite bitter until cooked. While available in the USA, they tend to be more expensive compared to other mushroom varieties commonly found at grocery stores.
Button Mushrooms are also known as cremini, white, or common mushrooms. They are the most well-known mushrooms for most of us, and generally the most available and cheapest mushrooms. This makes them a good staple for a lot of mushroom dinner recipes. They can be either white or brown. The brown ones are just older and have a deeper flavor, while the white are younger and have a more mild flavor. Want a super easy can’t-miss recipe? Try this Easy Mushroom Risotto Recipe or Creamy Vegan Mushroom Soup. Or try our viral Marry Me Mushrooms
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Chanterelle Mushrooms are a popular target for mushroom hunters, probably because they cost upward per pound. They are generally used only in gourmet cooking for this reason. They are described as having a peppery taste.
Chestnut mushrooms get their name from their rich, dark brown color. Similar to cremini, they are essentially a variety of white button mushrooms that develop a deeper shade. Some chefs believe they offer enhanced flavor and texture compared to white buttons, while others find little distinction. In most recipes requiring button mushrooms, they can be used interchangeably.
Cremini Mushrooms
Cremini Mushrooms, or baby bella, are actually just older white button mushrooms. They turn brown with age, but their flavor changes as well.
Enoki Mushrooms
Enoki mushrooms are slender, white, and stringy, frequently featured in Japanese cuisine. They stand out for their unique combination of crunch and chewiness. Versatile in their use, they serve as a meat substitute in sushi and work well in soups, stir-fries, noodle dishes, spring rolls, curries, and more.
Giant Puffball Mushrooms, true to their name, are exceptionally large white fungi that thrive both in the wild and under cultivation. They have a remarkable ability to absorb flavors from surrounding ingredients, much like tofu, making them a versatile addition to various dishes. Often used as a substitute for portobello mushrooms, they provide a similar texture but tend to be more expensive in comparison.
Hedgehog
Giant Puffball Mushrooms, true to their name, are exceptionally large white fungi that thrive both in the wild and under cultivation. They have a remarkable ability to absorb flavors from surrounding ingredients, much like tofu, making them a versatile addition to various dishes. Often used as a substitute for portobello mushrooms, they provide a similar texture but tend to be more expensive in comparison.
King Oysters
King oyster mushrooms have a remarkable ability to serve as meat substitutes in vegetarian and vegan dishes. If you love Southern-style pulled pork, consider trying King Oyster Mushroom Pulled Pork, as these mushrooms shred effortlessly with a fork—just like their smaller oyster mushroom counterparts. Their thick stems can also take on a shredded texture, but they’re equally excellent when sliced into planks for a delicious Mushroom “Bacon” Recipe.
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Lion’s Mane Mushrooms
Lion’s Mane mushrooms are easily recognizable due to their unique, mane-like appearance, fitting their name perfectly. While they aren’t commonly featured in recipes, they can be enjoyed raw or fried. Additionally, they are frequently used in nutritional supplements for their potential health benefits, which include cognitive support, anxiety relief, anti-inflammatory effects, immune enhancement, and possible contributions to heart health and cancer prevention. While these claims are not fully verified, mushrooms in general are considered a nutritious addition to a balanced diet.
Lobster Mushrooms
Lobster mushrooms are known for their meaty texture and distinct flavor, often compared to lobster. Their unique characteristics stem from a parasitic fungus, Hypomyces lactifluorum, which transforms their color to a vibrant red and enhances their taste. This mold typically affects Russula mushrooms, turning them into what is recognized as lobster mushrooms.
Maitake Mushroom
Maitake mushrooms, naturally found in apan, China, and North America, are known for their name, which translates to “Dancing Mushroom” in Japanese. They have long been valued for their potential medicinal properties, though their health benefits remain unverified. Regardless, they are highly nutrient-dense and have gained popularity in the USA in recent years, despite being widely enjoyed in Japan for much longer. Numerous recipes highlight their versatility in cooking.
Matsutake Mushrooms
Matsutake mushrooms are considered one of the most expensive mushrooms globally, sometimes costing up to high each. Native to Japan, they grow exclusively in the wild and have a limited harvest season, making them highly sought after. Despite repeated efforts to cultivate them commercially, all attempts have been unsuccessful. Their rarity and distinct flavor make them a prized ingredient in Japanese fine dining.
Our Reviews
There are about 1,000s types of mushrooms worldwide. They are not, obviously, all edible. We want to focus mostly on those commonly available (even if expensive) and great in cooking.
Some of these mushrooms are available in the wild, but this site isn’t dedicated to helping you collect them – you will have to acquire that skill on your own. We’re going to focus on types of mushrooms for cooking that you can get at our grocery, or in some cases specialty groceries, farmer’s markets, or online!
Here are the 21 most common types of mushrooms. Have you tried them all?