Mushrooms are delicious, but there are so many of them. It’s hard to keep track.
With so many different types of mushrooms out there, it can be hard to figure out which ones you should eat and which ones you should avoid.
We’ve put together this list of the most common types of edible mushrooms that you’re likely to come across at your local grocery store or farmers’ market. Now all you have to do is pick some up and start cooking.
#1. Amanita
Amanitas are mushrooms that can be collected and eaten to get high. The most famous for its psychoactive properties, Amanita Muscaria or Fly Agaric has been used by many cultures around the world as both spice and medicine since time immemorial up until modern times.
It was originally discovered in Russia where people have enjoyed eating this fungus with vodka after a day out hunting game birds like pheasant – which would make an excellent pairing if you ask me.
Amanita Muscaria is not only psychoactive but it provides an excellent source of Vitamin B12. These mushrooms are also nutritionally dense, containing high amounts of amino acids and trace minerals like copper.
#2. Beech Mushrooms
Found in North America, Europe, and Asia this type of mushroom is easy to identify due to its smooth surface that looks like a brown saddle on top of the cap.
It thrives in groups on decaying leaves where the humidity is low and soil composition is rich with potassium salts or calcium carbonates which gives it its mild sweetness that pairs well with more savory flavors such as chicken soup or beef broth. 3. Black Truffles
#3. Black Truffles
Black truffles are a type of mushroom found in Europe and Asia. Often used to flavor dishes such as risotto or pasta, this fungi also has several medicinal properties.
#4. Black Trumpet Mushrooms
These mushrooms have wavy caps with a smooth surface and a fleshy stem which means you can choose whether to slice them up for meat or add the entire thing. These are one of the best edible mushrooms that contain an enzyme called manganese peroxidase which helps protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals, similar to how antioxidants work.
This fungus is commonly used medicinally to treat kidney stones and cancer because it’s rich in selenocysteine which binds heavy metals and protects against urinary tract infections and small intestine damage.
#5. Brown Cap Boletus
Brown cap boletus is a type of mushroom characterized by its red-brown color, round to kidney-shaped caps, and firm flesh. It can be easily found in North America where it grows at the base of pine trees during the fall season.
These mushrooms are not eaten very often but they contain about 2 grams of protein per 20-gram serving which makes them an excellent food to add to your next meal. 6.
#6. Button Mushrooms
Button mushrooms technically aren’t a variety of boletus because their spores are located on the gills instead of pores, but these fungi can still be used interchangeably for certain dishes such as creamy soups or casseroles with long cooking times.
Button mushrooms may not look like much but they actually contain an impressive amount of minerals and vitamins such as copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and vitamin B2 with enough amounts of riboflavin to make any dish shine.
#7. Champignon Mushrooms
Originally from France where it’s known as the French mushroom, this type of fungus is usually found in temperate regions around the world including North America where it grows on rotting trunks or stumps.
It has a small white cap that starts off spherical then flattens out while growing up to 3 inches wide. Their flavor can be strong when eaten raw so you might want to add a little bit at a time while cooking them for a lighter taste.
#8. Chanterelle Mushrooms
These mushrooms have a bright yellow or orange color that is commonly used in dishes such as cream-based sauces or fried rice, but the taste of chanterelles also pairs well with soups and stews so they can be used in a variety of ways.
#9. Cremini Mushrooms
Cremini mushrooms are a type of brown cap boletus characterized by their darker colored caps and flesh compared to button mushrooms which have more of a white hue. They’re often mixed into pastas, vegetarian dishes, risottos, soups, and savory pies.
This fungus contains omega-3 fatty acids that help protect your skin from free radicals fighting inflammation due to allergies and asthma, and this fungus is also a great source of vitamin B2.
#10. Enoki Mushrooms
Enoki mushrooms are known for their long white stems with small caps that grow in clusters at the top. These fungi come from the Far East such as Japan and China where they’re cooked into dishes such as miso soup or served raw on salads.
One cup contains just 30 calories due to its extremely low-fat content so these mushrooms pack a lot of nutrients per serving.
#11. Green Amanita
Also known as the Deathcap Mushroom, this poisonous fungus can be found all over with its various parts containing poison.
#12. Hedgehog Mushrooms
Hedgehog mushrooms have soft spiny hairs all over the cap and peel off easily which makes them difficult to eat raw because you can’t slice through those tiny prickles, but don’t worry because their meaty flavor makes up for it.
These fungi are common in Europe where they’re used to season soups and sauces. They’re also rich in Vitamin D, selenium, riboflavin, and niacin.
#13. Hen of the Woods Mushrooms
Hen of the woods mushrooms is a type of mushroom that looks like wild cuts of meat growing on trees with its thick stalk base and numerous edible smaller caps attached to it. This fungus can be found all over North America and Asia where it’s cooked into dishes such as stir-fries or roasted.
#14. Honey Agaric
Also known as Santa’s Mushroom, this poisonous mushroom may look tasty but don’t eat it because it could make you sick.
#15. Lactarius Indigo
Lactarius indigo is a fungus that’s commonly found in North America where it can be used to season dishes such as soups, stews, omelets, or pasta.
This fungus has a strong flavor which makes it great when cooking but it also adds color to your dish so keep that in mind before seasoning too much.
#16. King Trumpet Mushrooms
King trumpet mushrooms have thick caps with long stems and are dark brown in color. They’re common in France where they’re used in dishes like cream sauces or stuffed into puff pastry pockets then baked.
This fungus contains an impressive amount of potassium that helps regulate your fluids and minerals along with vitamin B2.
#17. Milk Mushroom
Milk mushrooms are known for their thick, white caps that grow in clusters at the top. These fungi are common in North America and Europe where it’s cooked into dishes such as omelets, soups, or stir-fries.
One cup contains just 25 calories so don’t be afraid to add this fungus to your recipes even if you’re on a diet. This fungi also packs vitamin B2, niacin, riboflavin, zinc, and selenium which helps regulate your fluids while protecting your immune system.
#18. Morel Mushrooms
Morel mushrooms have spongy caps with ridges that look like brain shapes or honeycomb. These fungi can be found in North America and Europe where it’s used to season dishes such as soups, stews, risottos, omelets, or sautéed into healthy grilled cheese sandwiches.
This fungus contains manganese that helps the body convert fat into energy, copper for strong bones and teeth, potassium for fluid regulation, riboflavin to protect your immune system from diseases, and selenium for a healthy nervous system.
#19. Oyster Mushroom
Also known as Pleurotus ostreatus or P. flabellatus, oyster mushrooms are flat with white caps growing at the top of long dark stems .
These fungi have a mild flavor which makes them great ingredients to use in stir-fries or to season omelets, pastas, or soups. This fungus is rich in potassium for fluid regulation and niacin to protect your immune system from infections.
#20. Porcini Mushrooms
Porcini mushrooms have a brown cap with short white stems that grow off the side of it. These fungi are common in Italy where they’re used as toppings on pizzas or as ingredients in risottos, pasta dishes, soups, and salads.
One cup contains 56 calories so porcini mushrooms may just be one of those guilt-free snacks you can eat all day long. These fungi also contain vitamin B2 for a healthy nervous system and selenium which helps regulate your fluids while protecting your immune system.
#21. Portobello Mushrooms
Portobello mushrooms have dark brown caps with short white stems growing off the side of them. These fungi are common in Italy where they’re used as toppings on pizzas or as ingredients in risottos, pasta dishes, or salads. This fungus is low in calories so you can eat these all day long without worrying about your diet.
Portobello mushrooms also contain potassium for fluid regulation, riboflavin to protect your immune system from diseases, and selenium which helps regulate your fluids while protecting your immune system.
#22. Russula
Russula is a type of mushroom that’s very common throughout North America where they’re often cooked into Italian dishes like pizza or pasta sauce. This fungus is low in calories and rich in potassium which helps you regulate your fluids, especially following a workout.
#23. Shiitake Mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms have dark brown caps with white or black stems that grow off the side of them. These fungi are common in Asia where it’s served as toppings on pizzas or eaten in stir-fries, pasta dishes, or salads.
One cup contains just 40 calories so don’t be afraid to add this to your recipes when you need extra flavor without the guilt. This fungi also contains an impressive amount of manganese for strong bones and teeth along with vitamin B2 for a healthy nervous system while protecting your immune system too.
#24. Toad Stool
Toad Stools are bright orange with white caps covered in slimy lumps. These fungi are poisonous to eat even if cooked but the poisonous part can be removed by simply boiling them for 5-10 minutes. This fungus is not common throughout North America so use caution when attempting to harvest it yourself.
However, these fungi are common in China where they’re used as toppings on pizzas or eaten in stir-fries, pasta dishes, or salads. You should know that this fungus contains vitamin B2 which helps protect your immune system from infections.
#25. Medicinal Mushrooms
There’s a wide variety of medicinal mushrooms available for you to choose from depending on what you need them to do for your body. For instance, these fungi can be used to treat fatigue, high cholesterol, reduce wrinkles and acne, and even blood sugar problems.
No matter what you choose to do with these mushrooms, they’re low in calories and rich in fiber which will leave you feeling full for a longer period of time.
Now that we’ve gone over the different types of mushrooms out there, hopefully, we can add these valuable nutrition sources into our daily cooking routines so we can feel better and live happier lives. Remember, it’s impossible to overdose on mushrooms so go ahead and add them every day and enjoy their impressive nutritional values.
