Brewer's Mushrooms

Mushroom Fun Facts, Nutritional Information

What are Oyster Mushrooms?

The delicate mild flavor of the Oyster mushroom along with its velvety texture makes it a perfect complement to any vegetarian meal, chicken, pork or seafood dish. Excellent deep fried.

Anti-Bacterial Effects

Oyster mushrooms have significant antibacterial activity, according to a 1997        study published in the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry." The study found that the active compound benzaldehyde reduces bacterial levels. It may form on the mushroom as a reaction to stress.

Nutritional Value

Oyster mushrooms are high in nutrients. According to a study published in "Food Chemistry," oyster mushrooms contain significant levels of zinc, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin C, folic acid, niacin, and vitamins B-1 and B-2. The study concluded that consuming oyster mushrooms as part of a healthy diet contributes to recommended nutritional requirements.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/348755-oyster-mushroom-health-benefits/#ixzz1uZ0almGk

Nutritional Highlights

Oyster mushroom (raw, pieces), 1 cup (200g)
Calories: 17.5
Protein: 2.0g
Carbohydrate: 2.8g
Total Fat: 0.23g
Fiber: 0.84g
*Good source of: Niacin (2.8mg), Riboflavin (0.29mg), and Vitamin D (53 IU)

*Foods that are an excellent source of a particular nutrient provide 20% or more of the Recommended Daily Value. Foods that are a good source of a particular nutrient provide between 10 and 20% of the Recommended Daily Value.

                  Varieties of The Oyster Mushroom

Phoenix Oyster Mushroom     (Pleurotus pulmonarius)

Also known as: Pleurotus cornucopiae Pers. var. pulmonarius Fr.

Common names:
JAPANESE : Usu hira take.
SPANISH: Setas Italianas
ENGLISH: Italian Oyster mushroom

Blue Oyster   (Pleurotus ostreatus columbinus)

AKA European Oyster

Similar to the Pearl Oyster in flavor and texture this mushroom compliments many dishes, or deep fried as an appetizer and dipped in your favorite sauce.

 Golden Oyster    (Pleurotus citrinopileatus)

AKA Tamogitake

This spectacular yellow mushroom is extremely bitter and tangy when lightly cooked, however, when crisply cooked, a strong cashew-like flavor develops. Excellent in stir-frys and a wonderful topping for salads.

Pink Oyster

(Pleurotus djamor)

                                  AKA Flamingo Oyster

The Pink Oyster Mushroom as a delicate earthy flavor with a soft chewy texture. Turning gray when cooking, this mushroom complements seafood well or grilled with onions, garlic and a little bit of sea salt.

               Other Gourmet Mushrooms

Shiitake

(Lentinula edodes)

Shiitake's delicate yet wild, woodsy taste adds a gourmet flair to almost any dish. Stems create a deeply flavored stock in stews. Excellent in Salads

Shiitakes have four to ten times the flavor of common white button mushrooms. In addition to their robust/pungent, woodsy flavor and meaty texture, shiitakes provide high levels of protein (18%), potassium, niacin and B vitamins, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. They have natural antiviral and immunity-boosting properties and are used nutritionally to fight viruses, lower cholesterol and regulate blood pressure. Lentinan, an immunostimulant derived from shiitakes, has been used to treat cancer, AIDS, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibrocystic breast disease, and other conditions with impressive results. Researchers S. Suzuki and Oshima found that a raw shiitake eaten daily for one week lowered serum cholesterol by 12%.

Shiitake mushrooms are the second most popular mushroom in the world, after common button mushrooms. Native to Asian countries, shiitakes are popular for both cooking and medicinal uses. When properly cultivated, shiitakes will grow in a variety of climates, provided the right hardwoods are used and proper care is taken to retain moisture.

This mushroom is very versatile . Shiitake can be sauted, broiled, baked, grilled, stir fried, or sliced thin and used raw on salads. Its meat flavor enhances almost any dish. Use the stems to create deeply flavored stocks.

Shiitake Mushrooms are not only delectable, but they are also good for you. Shiitake Mushrooms contain all the necessary amino acids that are needed in our diet. Shiitake is higher in amino acids than peanuts, soybeans, corn and kidney beans. Mushrooms are also a important source of vegetable proteins, iron, fiber, minerals and vitamins.

Nutritional Value - Shiitake - 100 grams (about 3 1/2 oz) contains: 39 Calories, 15 to 35% Protein, Less than one gram of Fat, 7.3 g. Carbohydrate, 0.8 g. Crude fiber, 0.8mg. Thiamine(53% mdr, 0.5mg. Riboflavin(29% mdr, 5.5mg. Niacin(27.5%), High in Vitamin D2(200iu. 50%, B2 and B12

Lions Mane     (Hericium erinaceus)

The Lions Mane is a member of an unusual group of fungi, which form tooth-like structures instead of gills. The Lions Mane has a very firm texture and a flavor reminiscent of fresh crab meat or lobster when cooked with butter and onions.

Common Names

Lions mane also has other popular nicknames such as, Monkeys Head, Hedgehog, Pom Pom and Bears Head.

Characteristics

The icicle-like tendrils that hang from the white rubbery flesh of the lions mane make it the most unique looking mushroom on the planet. With age, the tips of tendrils change colors from white to a brown-yellow tint. These distinct features make it stand out from all other mushroom species.

History

Lions mane mushrooms have been eaten in Eastern Asia for centuries and are believed to heal people of various ailments. China, in particular, has really embraced this mushroom and admires it for the exceptional medicinal and healing properties.

Habitat

In nature, lions mane tends to grow on dead or dying oak, walnut, beech, maple, sycamore, or other broadleaf trees. The southern regions of the United States are the most abundant areas to find lions mane growing in the wild.

Medicinal/Nutritional Properties

Lions mane has been intriguing doctors and scientists for centuries. Some have even discovered that the mushroom may have some nerve regenerating properties, which helps to stimulate brain function. Lions mane also holds antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties. Other medicinal characteristics include, strengthening the nervous system, enhancing concentration, speeding up recovery times, and delaying aging.

Cooking with Lions Mane

In China, lions mane is a delicacy. Any dish in which lions mane mushrooms are included is considered a gourmet meal.

The seafood-like flavor of lions mane is very distinctive. Many people consider it a replacement for pork, lamb, or seafood. The key for preparing lions mane and making sure they maintain the seafood flavor is to cook them slowly. Lions mane tend to give offa lot of water, therefore, you will want to add your spices towards the end of the cooking period.

 Reishi Mushroom  (Ganoderma Lucidum)

What is Reishi?

Red Reishi (Ganoderma Lucidum), commonly known as Ling Zhi in Chinese, is a herbal mushroom known to have miraculous health benefits.

So whats so good about red reishi?

• It is non-toxic and can be taken daily without producing any side effects.
• When it is taken regularly, it can restore the body to its natural state, enabling all organs to function normally.
• Immune modulator regulates and fine tunes the immune system.

What are the benefits of Reishi?

Red Reishi improves
liver function

Red Reishi is primarily composed of complex carbohydrates called water-soluble polysaccharides, triterpeniods, proteins and amino acids. Researchers have identified that water-soluble polysaccharides are the most active element found in Red Reishi that have anti-tumour, immune modulating and blood pressure lowering effects.

Another major active ingredient found in Red Reishi are triterpenes , called ganoderic acids. Preliminary studies indicated that ganoderic acids help alleviate common allergies by inhibiting histamine release, improve oxygen utilization and improve liver functions. Triterpenes are bitter in taste and the level of the triterpene content contained in a product can be determined by the bitterness

Red Reishi enhance our bodys
immune system

Regular consumption of red Reishi can enhance our bodys immune system and improve blood circulation, thus improving better health conditions. Generally, Reishi is recommended as an adaptogen, immune modulator, and a general tonic. Red Reishi is also used to help treat anxiety, high blood pressure, hepatitis, bronchitis, insomnia, and asthma. A full list of reported benefits can be found here [1].

Is there any evidence?

A considerable number of studies in Japan , China , USA , and the UK in the past 30 years have shown that the consumption of red Reishi has been linked to the treatment of a vast range of diseases, common ailments, and conditions. From asthma to zoster, the applications of red Reishi seem to be related to a multitude of body organs and systems.

However, most of the scientific research that has been conducted appears to strongly support red Reishis role as a normalizing substance a nutritional supplement that can yield medical benefits through its normalization and regulation of the bodys organs and functions.

The role of Red Reishi in maintaining a healthy lifestyle can best be explained through the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) point of view because none of the known active components taken alone is as more effective than the consumption of Reishi itself. Whereas Western medicine focuses on the cure after the disease has already occurred, TCM, established through over 2,000 years of human observation, focuses on disease prevention by sustaining the right balance within the body through proper nutrition, exercise, and meditation. Reishi is an important adaptogenic herb in TCM in helping the body maintain this balance and also restore the balance when one is sick. For scientific studies done on Reishi please see the Research [2] or Articles [3] section.

Source URL: http://www.reishi.com/what-is-reishi.htm

Links:
[1] http://www.reishi.com/FAQ.htm#15
[2] http://www.reishi.com/research.htm
[3] http://www.reishi.com/articles.htm

Chaga Mushroom