Nothing can sway my love for mushrooms and Pedro Pascal, even the zombie-like fungi people in The Last of Us. However, it has prompted me to take a closer look at the magical fungus we call mushrooms. I am strictly looking at the non-hallucinogenic non-poisonous mushrooms (of course).
Let’s take a look at some fascinating fungal facts!!
- Portobello, Button, and White (Cremini) Mushrooms are all the same! These three common varieties of mushrooms are all the same species Agaricus bisporus, just at different levels of maturity. It’s a common mistake to think these mushrooms are all completely different varieties, which is untrue. As mushrooms mature, they slowly lose their water content, making the oldest version, Portobello, the most flavorful.
- Portobello Mushrooms are Filled with Useful Nutrients – More Than a Banana!!
- There is an Edible Mushroom that Grows in the Wild that Tastes Nearly Identical to Fried Chicken! This fried chicken-tasting mushroom is called Laetiporus sulphureus and is more commonly known as ‘Chicken of the Woods.’ It can be found across Europe and North America, mainly on oak trees but can also be found on yew, cherry and sweet chestnut trees. Laetiporus is bright in color and known to be succulent and soft, with a fleshy middle, much like chicken.
- More than 2,000 new fungi are discovered each year! Every year, over 2,000 new species of fungi are discovered. These come from a variety of places, including a human fingernail one year. Fungi doesn’t always mean mushrooms, however, the fungi family contains some weird and wonderful things, for example, 216 species of fungi are hallucinogenic and over 350 species of fungi are edible, including the type used in Marmite!1
- The lifecycle of a mushroom is very unique. Mushrooms are fungi and grow differently than fruits and vegetables. Mushrooms begin life as fungal spores. When spores germinate, they grow into a lacy, filament-like root network called mycelium. What you cannot see is the underground network of mycelium that scavenges the soil for food. Mushrooms are decomposers and break down dead plants to recycle their nutrients. When mycelium is mature, it produces a mushroom which will spread its spores in the forest to continue the lifecycle of the mushroom. Mushroom farmers start from fungal spores to grow and harvest delicious mushrooms.2
- Mushrooms are grown in all 50 states. Mushrooms grow on a year-round cycle indoors, and edible mushrooms are grown everywhere! The majority of commercial mushroom growers are located in the state of Pennsylvania. In fact, 63% of all white mushrooms are grown in Pennsylvania.
I mean, what’s not to love?
Katie takes a look at NoveList and how parents can use this tool to get some great reads for their children. You can take a look at NoveList HERE and see how childrens, teens, and adults can use this. You can find new books to read based on: subject search, author readalikes, genres, appeal, and award winners. And for those who would like more information about Fountas and Pinnell and their reading levels, check out their website: https://www.fountasandpinnell.com/default.
- “7 Facts about Mushrooms.” Campbell’s Soup UK, 14 July 2021, https://www.campbellsoup.co.uk/blog/7-facts-mushrooms-bet-didnt-know/.
- Council, Mushroom. “Five Fun Mushroom Facts for Kids & Educators – Mushrooms in Schools.” The Mushroom Council, 14 Apr. 2021, https://www.mushroomcouncil.org/schools/mushroom-facts-for-kids/.
