Emily Johnson
Whether or not to degill button mushrooms is a matter of personal preference. Some people find that the gills give a 'muddy' taste to their dish, while others argue that it does not make a difference. Removing the gills can also be done for aesthetic reasons, as they can make a light-coloured dish look dingy. The gills can be removed with a spoon and the mushroom can be cooked as usual. However, some people choose not to remove the gills as they believe it is unnecessary. Additionally, button mushrooms can be cleaned by rinsing them with water and gently rubbing them with your hands to remove any stubborn dirt. They can also be wiped with a damp paper towel or kitchen towel.
Do you need to degill button mushrooms?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reasons for removing gills | Aesthetics, easier cleaning, more room for stuffing, removing a muddy taste |
| Reasons for keeping gills | Personal preference, no noticeable difference in taste |
| Tools needed for removing gills | Regular tablespoon, not a tablespoon meant for measuring |
| Steps for removing gills | Remove woody stem, gently insert spoon under gills to pry them off in chunks, rinse or wipe cap |
| How to clean button mushrooms | Brush off large particles, wash in water with flour and scrub, rinse and dry with paper towels, quick rinse in water and dry with a towel |
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What You'll Learn
Removing gills can make mushrooms more aesthetically pleasing
Removing the gills from button mushrooms is a common practice. The gills are the thin papery ribs found underneath some mushroom caps, most commonly portobellos. While some people remove them for aesthetic reasons, others do so to make cleaning the mushrooms easier or to create more space for stuffing.
One reason to remove the gills from button mushrooms is to improve their appearance. The gills can give a light-coloured sauce or soup a dingy appearance, and removing them can result in a cleaner, more aesthetically pleasing dish. This is especially true if you are creating a dish with thin mushroom slices, such as a vegetarian "pulled pork" approximation, or scattering them over a pizza. Removing the gills can also make it easier to break down the mushroom cap into smaller strips or pieces, as you might do when making a pulled portobello sandwich.
In addition to enhancing the appearance of the final dish, removing the gills can also make the mushrooms themselves look more appealing. The gills of portobello mushrooms can be quite frilly and dark, and removing them can result in a smoother, more uniform surface that is more visually appealing. This can be especially important when serving dishes to individuals with a fear of mushrooms, as the gills are often the most off-putting part.
Removing the gills can also make cleaning the mushrooms easier. Bits of dirt and sand can become lodged in the gills, and scraping them out entirely removes the need to worry about grit. A quick wipe or rinse is then all that is needed to clean the mushrooms.
While removing the gills of button mushrooms is not necessary, it can be a simple way to improve the appearance of the mushrooms and the final dish. It can also make cleaning and preparing the mushrooms slightly easier, especially if you are creating dishes with thin mushroom slices or small pieces.
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Gills can be removed with a spoon
Removing the gills from button mushrooms is a common practice. The gills are the thin papery ribs found underneath some mushroom caps, most commonly in portobello mushrooms. They are not gills in the biological sense but "lamella", feathery ribs that live underneath the cap of certain mushroom types. Their main function is spore dispersal, and they are believed to have evolved to increase the surface area, thereby increasing the number of spores that can be dispersed.
The main objection to mushroom gills is aesthetic. Some people find them unappetizing or terrifying, and removing the gills can make the mushroom look more enticing. Removing the gills can also make cleaning the mushrooms easier, as bits of dirt and sand can hide deep in the gills, and scraping them out entirely removes the grit.
To remove the gills from button mushrooms, start by removing the woody stem. You can either mince it finely and cook it with the rest of your dish or save it for vegetable stock. Then, take a regular teaspoon (not a measuring tablespoon) and gently insert the tip under the edge of the gills to pry them off in chunks. Once the gills have been removed, give the cap a quick rinse, and cook as usual.
Some people choose not to remove the gills from button mushrooms, as it is not strictly necessary. It is a matter of personal preference.
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Gills can make cleaning mushrooms easier
While some people choose to remove the gills from their button mushrooms for aesthetic reasons, or to make room for stuffing, others argue that the gills make cleaning mushrooms easier.
Removing the gills can help with preparation, especially if you plan to break down the mushroom cap into smaller pieces. By scraping out the gills, you also remove any grit or dirt that may be hiding within them, leaving you with a clean mushroom that only requires a quick wipe or rinse. This is supported by Cooking School Director Rosie Gill, who removes the gills when making her Smoky "Pulled" Portobello Sandwiches. She explains that removing the gills ensures her mushroom caps are clean and can be cut into nice, small matchsticks that will melt in butter.
If you decide to remove the gills from your button mushrooms, you will need a spoon. First, remove the woody stem, either mincing it finely to cook with your dish or saving it for vegetable stock. Then, gently insert the tip of your spoon under the edge of the gills to pry them off in chunks. Once the gills have been removed, give the cap a quick rinse, and cook as usual.
However, it is important to note that some people choose to keep the gills on their button mushrooms and simply brush away any large particles of dirt or compost. They argue that a quick rinse in water is sufficient to clean the mushrooms, and that the gills do not impact the taste or safety of the final dish. Ultimately, the decision to remove the gills from button mushrooms is a matter of personal preference and cooking requirements.
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Mushrooms can be washed with water
Mushrooms, including button mushrooms, can be washed with water. While some sources suggest that mushrooms should not be washed with water, others claim that this is a myth. Mushrooms are 90% water by weight, and washing them with water will not significantly affect the cooked product. Mushrooms can be placed in a colander and rinsed under running water, with gentle rubbing to remove stubborn dirt. They can also be washed in a bowl of water with a tablespoon or two of flour, which acts as a mild abrasive to remove dirt. After washing, mushrooms should be dried with a paper towel or kitchen towel.
However, it is important to note that mushrooms are like sponges and will absorb water if soaked for too long. Therefore, it is recommended to wash them quickly and dry them thoroughly after rinsing.
Some cooks choose to remove the gills from Portobello mushrooms, which are grown-up button mushrooms, before washing and cooking. The gills can be removed with a spoon, and the mushroom cap can then be rinsed quickly. Removing the gills can improve the appearance of the dish, especially if the gills are dark, as they can make the dish look muddy or dingy. It also makes cleaning the mushrooms easier, as dirt and sand can hide in the gills. However, removing the gills is not necessary for all recipes, and some cooks choose to leave them intact.
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Mushrooms can be wiped with a damp paper towel
While there is no consensus on whether button mushrooms need to be degilled, it is a common practice. The gills are not poisonous but are believed to give the mushrooms a "'muddy' taste and appearance, especially when used in light-coloured dishes. Removing the gills can also make cleaning and preparing the mushrooms easier, as bits of dirt and sand can get trapped in the gills.
If you decide to remove the gills from your button mushrooms, you can use a spoon to gently pry them off in chunks. Once the gills have been removed, you can choose to give the cap a quick rinse or simply wipe it with a damp paper towel. It is important to note that mushrooms do not absorb water during a quick rinse, and even if they did, the water would be cooked off anyway.
To degill button mushrooms, start by holding the mushroom gently in your non-dominant hand with the stem side facing out. Carefully pull out the stem, which should bring out some of the gills along with it. Then, take a small spoon and gently insert the tip under the edge of the remaining gills to scrape them out. Be gentle but firm to ensure you are prying out the full gills and not just scraping the surface.
After removing the gills, you can wipe the mushroom cap with a damp paper towel to remove any residual bits. At this point, you can proceed with your recipe as usual. Some people choose to marinate the degilled mushrooms before cooking, while others cook them immediately. There are various ways to cook button mushrooms, including pan-roasting, grilling, or baking.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not necessary to remove the gills from button mushrooms. Removing gills is more common with Portobello mushrooms, which are grown-up button mushrooms.
Some people remove gills for aesthetic reasons, as they can make a dish look less appealing. Others remove gills to make more room for stuffing the caps. Removing gills can also make cleaning the mushrooms easier, as dirt and sand can get trapped in the gills.
Removing gills is simple. First, pop out the woody stem, then use a spoon to gently pry the gills out in chunks. Once the gills are removed, give the cap a quick rinse before cooking as usual.
