Food Facts: Mushrooms - Buying

Mushrooms are available in bulk or in grower wrapped packages. White, crimini, and occasionally portabella, mushrooms are grown in Manitoba. Fresh oyster and shiitake mushrooms are also available in stores. These exotic mushrooms can be slightly more expensive. Try combining exotic mushrooms with white mushrooms to get maximum flavour with minimum cost.

Mushroom Equivalents

1 pound Crimini or White mushrooms = 5 cups sliced (lightly packed)
1 pound sliced Crimini or White mushrooms = 2 cups sauteed
1 pound Crimini or White mushrooms = approximately 35 medium sized mushrooms
4 ounces Shiitake mushrooms without stems = 1 1/2 cups sliced or chopped
6 ounces trimmed Portabella mushrooms = 2 1/4 cups coarsely chopped

Mushroom Varieties

White
These are the most common mushrooms. They can have closed veils (caps that fit closely to the stem) with white caps and a delicate flavour, or open veils with darker caps and richer taste. Available whole or sliced.

Crimini or Brown
These are similar in appearance to white mushrooms but with a light tan to rich brown cap and a firmer texture. Their flavour is deeper and earthier than white mushrooms. Available whole or sliced.

Portabella or Portobello
These are fully mature crimini mushrooms with caps measuring up to 6 inches in diameter. Portabellas have a longer growing cycle, resulting in a deep, meat-like texture and flavour. Available whole or sliced.

Shiitake
Originally from Japan and Korea, these mushrooms are now being grown in North America. Shiitakes are tan to dark brown with broad umbrella-shaped caps, wide-open veils and tan gills. They have rich woodsy flavour and meaty texture. Shiitake stems are extremely tough and are usually removed. Don't throw them out, however - they add wonderful flavor to stocks and sauces. Discard the stems after they've been used for flavoring.

Oyster
This is a fan-shaped mushroom with a pale gray to dark brownish-gray cap. The stems are grayish-white. The flavor of raw oyster mushrooms is fairly robust and slightly peppery but becomes much milder when cooked.