12 Australian mushroom species
Gone are the days of only white Australian mushroom species in the supermarket. nowadays in Australia there’s a menagerie of mushrooms in different shapes and sizes. Check out our guide with pictures and descriptions of 12 common types of mushrooms and how to cook with them.
What are the different types of mushrooms?
1. Button mushrooms
Button, cup, and flat mushrooms are all the same type of white mushroom, just harvested at different stages. Button mushrooms are harvested the earliest, and are usually the smallest. They have the most delicate flavour of the three, and they’re great raw or cooked aswhole mushrooms.
2. Cup mushrooms
Cup mushrooms are harvested when the Australian mushroom species cap opens partially from the stem. They are usually a bit larger, and they have a slightly more intense flavour than button mushrooms. They’re also great raw or cooked.
3. Flat mushrooms
Flat mushrooms have a “flat” cap that has completely opened. Also called field mushrooms, these mushrooms’ large size makes them ideal for barbecuing, stuffing or enjoying as a meat substitute. They have an intense meaty flavour, and are best eaten cooked rather than raw.
4. Swiss brown Australian mushroom species
Swiss brown Australian mushroom species are tan in colour rather than white. They have a slightly more robust flavour and firmer texture than the above mushrooms. Enjoy raw in salads or cooked.
5. Portabella mushrooms
More mature Swiss browns with an open cap. These hearty brown mushrooms have a robust flavour and texture. Ideal to be used in the same way as flat mushrooms.
6. Shiitake mushrooms
Popular in Japanese and Chinese cooking, shiitake mushrooms have a distinct fragrance a flavour. They are tan to dark brown in colour. They are available dry or fresh, and have a smooth and slightly chewy texture when cooked. Shiitake’s strong flavour makes them especially good for flavouring stocks and broths.
7. Enoki mushrooms
Enoki Australian mushroom species are prized for their long stems. They are pale cream in colour with very long, fine stems and tiny caps. Enjoy their nutty flavour either raw or cooked. They maintain a slightly crunchy texture when cooked and are popular in hot pots, soups and noodles.
8. Oyster mushrooms
So-called because of their oyster-shell shaped cap. Sometimes called pearl oyster mushrooms. Their gills extend to their stem and they have a tender, silky texture. They are available in many colours. Their mild flavour makes them ideal for stir-fries, soups and noodles.
9. King oyster
These mushrooms have a thick, fat stem that is often eaten sliced and pan-fried or barbecued. They have a meaty stem that is quite different to soft oyster mushrooms.
10. Shimeji mushrooms
These mushrooms have long, thick edible stems and smallish caps. They have a bitter taste when raw and must be cooked. Once cooked, they retain a bit of crunch and have a mild, nutty flavour.
11. Porcini mushrooms
Also called cep or penny bun, in Australia they are most often available chopped and dried in packets. They are a wild mushroom with a very intense flavour. They’re often used in pastas and risottos. You can find them in the supermarket near the garlic and onions or near the deli.
12. Pine mushrooms
Also known as saffron milk caps, these wild mushrooms are common in parts of Australia. These bright orange mushrooms have a distinctive rich and nutty flavour. You can find them fresh in speciality grocery shops.
Mushroom recipes
Now you’ve had an introduction to a few different types of mushrooms, it’s time to try them out! Mushrooms are at their peak during Autumn, and the weather is just right for cosy dishes like mushroom soup, creamy mushrooms pastas and risottos.
Frequent Ask Questions On Australian mushroom species
Where can I buy mushrooms in Australia?
Delicious, versatile and PACKED full of goodness, mushrooms are an Australian favourite for the professional chef and avid home cook. Always in season and grown all year round, here are some of the most common Australian mushroom species grown mushroom varieties which can be found in most greengrocers and supermarkets.
What do oyster mushrooms look like in Australia?
Fluted, oyster-shell shape. Numerous species/varieties ranging from pearly-white to yellow, pink, grey-brown and purplish-brown are available in Australia. Oyster mushrooms have a soft texture, with a succulent flesh.
Are there any large fungi in South Australia?
Toadstools and mushrooms and other larger fungi of South Australia. South Australian Government Printer. p. 326. ^ Ratkowsky, David (1998). “Book Reviews: Larger Fungi of South Australia (Grgurinovic, C.A.) & Fungi of Southern Australia (Bougher, N.L. & Syme, K.)” (PDF).
Do shiitake mushrooms grow in Australia?
Fresh shiitake mushrooms are now grown fresh in Australia. Broad, tan to dark brown umbrella-shaped cap with tan gills and slender stems. Soft spongy, texture with leathery stem with a distinctive aroma. Meaty flavour and texture when cooked.
What is the most popular mushroom in Australia?White mushroom cups
Most popular mushroom in Australia.
How can you tell if a mushroom is poisonous in Australia?
Contrary to popular belief, there is no home test that can distinguish between edible and poisonous varieties. The only way to tell whether a wild mushroom is safe to eat is to have it identified by a mushroom expert (mycologist). If you are unsure if a mushroom is safe to eat, don’t eat it.
What is the most poisonous mushroom in Australia?
The most common cause of poisonings due to ingestion in Australia is Agaricus xanthodermus – Yellow-staining mushroom. Less common but more dangerous is the Death Cap, Amanita phalloides, which has led to several fatalities in Melbourne and Canberra.
How do I identify a mushroom?
Among the diagnostic features used to identify mushrooms are the size, color and shape of the cap and stem; whether the underside of the cap has pores, gills or teeth; the absence or presence of a veil; the color of the Australian mushroom species and its flesh.