Maybe it’s because foodies are wising up or maybe it’s because one bite of the irresistible, aromatic truffle sends you to the moon, but mushrooms have finally made their mark on the culinary world.
Not so long ago, many people routinely plucked the mushrooms out of their salads at restaurants or scoffed at the family member who dared to order mushrooms on their pizza. In certain cultures and time periods, mushrooms often came out of a can and tasted like dirt, at best. There was a lack of mushroom variety, freshness, and know-how that you’ve come to know and love today.
From Portobello to shitake to enoki, mushrooms are prized for their meaty texture, earthy flavor, and powerful array of nutritional benefits. Though they’ve soared in popularity in recent years, humans have been scouring the temperate hillsides of the world in search of these mycological treats for centuries. And it’s not just deliciousness they’re after. Mushrooms have recently reached the Western wellness world, though other cultures have been using mushrooms medicinally since 3000 BCE. Medicinal mushroom teas made with cordyceps, reishi, and lion’s mane are widely available and tout a number of health benefits, from improving focus and concentration to easing anxiety.