How to Use Fresh Agricus Mushrooms (Button, Crimini, Portabella)

Mushrooms come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and textures. Of the varieties commercially grown in the United States, Agricus bisporus are among the most popular. The American consumer may not recognize this scientific name but may be familiar with the common names: button, crimini and portabella. Did you know these 3 varieties of these edible fungi are the same mushroom, just harvested at different stages?

Commercial mushrooms are grown in specially designed buildings called doubles. Inside the doubles are beds filled with mushroom compost. The mushroom spawn (or seed) is sprinkled on top of the compost and allowed to grow. The humidity and temperature is controlled. Soon small knobs grow out of the compost. Depending on how long these knobs are allowed to mature before harvesting determines what kind of mushroom you will enjoy.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Button Mushrooms

1. 
   Button mushrooms, used in a display

   Button or white mushrooms are the most immature of the Agricus mushroom varieties. Button mushrooms are harvested while the cap is still closed and no gills are exposed and are white to light brown in color. They range in size from the 1-inch to about 3 inches in diameter.

2. Of the 3 types of Agricus mushrooms, buttons have the mildest flavor.

3. Button mushrooms can be used raw in salads and on vegetable trays. Buttons can be stuffed, marinated, or sautéed. See link below for recipes for button mushrooms.

4. According to the Mushroom Council, a serving of 4 to 5 white mushrooms provides 18 calories, 8 grams of fat and 3 grams of carbohydrate. It is a good source of the antioxidant selenium; B vitamins riboflavin, niacin and pantothenic acid; and copper. Button mushrooms have close to 300 mg of potassium per serving; contain 2.8 mg of the antioxidant ergothioneine; and 15 IU of vitamin D.

Crimini Mushrooms

5. 

   Crimini mushrooms are Agricus mushrooms that were allowed to mature a little longer. Ciminis are sometimes referred to as Italian brown mushrooms or baby bellas. They have a light brown to dark brown cap, a firmer texture, and range in size from two to four inches. The cap of the crimini mushroom may be starting to pull away from the stem, but the gills are not fully exposed.

6. Crimini mushrooms have a more intense mushroom flavor. Some describe it as an "earthy" flavor. Their heartier flavor works particularly well with beef, wild game, and vegetable dishes. Crimini mushrooms are usually sliced and sautéed, baked, or broiled. See link below for recipes for crimini mushrooms.

7. According to the Mushroom Council, a serving of 4 to 5 crimini mushrooms provides 23 calories, 0 grams of fat and 4 grams of carbohydrates, and is an excellent source of the antioxidant selenium, the B vitamin riboflavin and copper. It is also a good source of potassium, phosphorus and B vitamins niacin and pantothenic acid. Criminis also contain 4.9 mg of the antioxidant ergothioneine.

Portabella Mushrooms

8. 

   Portabella mushrooms are fully mature Agricus mushrooms. The caps are open and the gills exposed. Portabella range in color from light tan to dark brown and their caps can be up to 6 inches in diameter. The stems are removed and the portabella caps are packaged for sale to retail consumers.

9. Portabella mushrooms have a meaty flavor and texture and because of this, one of their uses is as a meat substitute. Grilling or baking a whole portabella mushroom cap and substituting it for the meat in a burger has become a popular use. Also Portabella Pizzas, where the mushroom cap become the dough and topped with tomato sauce and cheese, are a popular serving option.

10. Sliced, the portabella mushroom can be substituted for white or crimini mushrooms and can be grilled, baked, sautéed, or broiled. See recipe below for portabella mushroom recipes.

11. According to the Mushroom Council, 1 medium portabella cap provides 22 calories, 0 grams of fat and 4 grams of carbohydrates, is an excellent source of the B vitamin riboflavin and is a good source of the antioxidant selenium, potassium, phosphorus the B vitamins niacin and pantothenic acid and copper. Portabellas also contain 4.3 mg of the antioxidant ergothioneine.

Tips & Warnings

• When buying mushrooms at the grocery store, mushrooms should have a fresh, smooth appearance that are free from major blemishes. The surface should be dry.
• Keep mushrooms refrigerated and do not rinse mushrooms until you are ready to use. Store fresh mushrooms in a porous paper bag to prolong shelf life.
• Remove the plastic overlay from packaged mushrooms bought at the grocery store.
• Mushrooms should be cleaned when you are ready to use them. Remove the dirt by gently wiping mushrooms with a damp cloth or soft brush. Mushrooms can be rinsed with cold water and then patted dry with paper towels.

Resources

• Find all sorts of mushroom recipes at this Mushroom Council webpage.
• The Kennett Square Mushroom Festival website provides additional information about Agricus mushrooms, as well as other popular varieties.
• Can't find fresh Agricus mushrooms where you live? Order them online from The Mushroom Cap.

[3825]

on 5/11/2009 You need to check your data sources. While all three mushrooms are Agricus Bisporus, white button mushrooms are a different spore than crimini/portabella. A white button mushroom will never grow into a cimini/portabella. A crimini is a a young portabella, but it is not an older white button. Feel free to try growing white button mushrooms; you will be waiting forever if you wait for them to turn into anything else.