Emily Johnson
Giant puffball mushrooms, also known as Calvatia gigantea, are a unique species of mushroom that can grow up to several feet in diameter and weigh several pounds. They are low in calories, containing about 19 calories per cup of sliced mushrooms, and are also low in fat and protein. These mushrooms have a mild, nutty, and earthy flavor and are commonly used in culinary applications such as sautéing, pan-frying, and baking. They are also believed to have various health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting properties, as well as potential anticancer and antidiabetic effects.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Calories | 19 calories per cup of sliced puffball mushroom |
| Protein | 1.5 grams per cup |
| Carbohydrates | 4 grams per cup |
| Fat | Less than 1 gram per cup |
| Fiber | 1 gram per cup |
| Vitamins | B and C |
| Minerals | Phosphorus, manganese, selenium |
| Diameter | 10-70 centimeters |
| Weight | 1-23 kilograms |
| Color | White to pale yellowish-brown |
| Shape | Round, oblong, oval |
| Texture | Firm, airy, spongy |
| Flavor | Mild, nutty, earthy |
| Uses | Sautéing, pan-frying, baking, omelets, stir-fries, grilling, frying, lasagna, ravioli, pizza, croquettes, hummus, gravies, powder |
| Health Benefits | Antioxidant properties, antibacterial, antiviral, immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, digestive health |
| Look-alikes | Poisonous puffballs, Amanita bisporigera, destroying angel |
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What You'll Learn
Puffball mushrooms are low-calorie
Giant puffball mushrooms, or Calvatia gigantean, are huge fungi that can be found in woods, fields, meadows, and grasslands. They can grow as big as a soccer ball or watermelon, weighing up to 50 pounds. These mushrooms are a popular foraging ingredient due to their low-calorie content and numerous health benefits.
Puffball mushrooms are indeed low in calories. One cup of sliced puffball mushroom contains approximately 19 calories, which is very low compared to other foods. This makes it an attractive option for those watching their calorie intake. In addition, they are also low in fat, with less than 1 gram per cup, and have a relatively low protein content of about 1.5 grams per cup. The carbohydrate content is also on the lower side, with around 4 grams per cup.
While puffball mushrooms are not a significant source of fiber, providing about 1 gram per cup, they do offer other nutritional benefits. They contain essential and non-essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. Specifically, the giant puffball variety contains amino acids such as tryptophan, leucine, isoleucine, methionine, and histidine, which are essential for important biological functions in the human body.
In terms of culinary uses, puffball mushrooms are quite versatile. They are often referred to as the "breakfast mushroom" due to their compatibility with egg dishes. They can be sautéed, pan-fried, baked, or grilled with other ingredients. Their mild, nutty, and earthy flavor makes them a good substitute for tofu or eggplant in recipes. However, it is important to note that they should not be washed with water as they will lose their texture and flavor. Instead, they can be peeled and stored in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Overall, puffball mushrooms are a nutritious and tasty ingredient that can be enjoyed as part of a healthy and balanced diet. Their low-calorie content makes them a popular choice for those conscious of their calorie intake, and their nutritional benefits and versatility in cooking make them a valuable addition to various recipes.
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They are rich in amino acids
Puffball mushrooms are a variety of fungi that range from small to very large in size, with diameters ranging from 10 to 70 centimetres. They are round, oval, or pear-shaped and are white when young, maturing to a yellow-brown colour. They are native to the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada and have been growing since ancient times.
Puffball mushrooms are a great source of essential and non-essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. Amino acids are essential to the human body as it cannot produce them on its own. Therefore, they must be included in our diet in the form of amino-acid-rich foods like puffball mushrooms.
Research shows that the giant puffball mushroom (C. gigantea) contains the following essential amino acids: tryptophan, leucine, isoleucine, methionine, valine, threonine, phenylalanine, lysine, histidine, and tyrosine. These amino acids play crucial roles in various biological functions and are especially important for child development.
In addition to their amino acid content, puffball mushrooms offer other nutritional benefits. They are low in calories and rich in fibre, making them a healthy addition to any meal. They also possess antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiviral properties, which can help prevent infections and protect your body from illnesses. Furthermore, puffball mushrooms have been used in folk medicine and have shown potential anticancer effects in studies.
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They have antioxidant properties
Giant puffball mushrooms, or Calvatia gigantean, are huge fungi that can be found in the central and eastern United States and Canada. They are edible and have been traditionally regarded as a significant medicinal species due to their wide range of health-promoting properties.
Puffball mushrooms have been found to contain antioxidant phenolic compounds like gentisic acid. They help prevent oxidative damage and protect your body from illnesses. In addition, they possess antibacterial and antiviral properties, which can help prevent infections.
The spores of the giant puffball mushroom have been used traditionally by the Native American Lakota tribe to treat bleeding and promote blood clotting. They would apply the spores to open wounds to prevent infection and aid the healing process.
Furthermore, the giant puffball mushroom has been studied for its potential antidiabetic effects. Research suggests that it can significantly decrease alpha-amylase levels in the body, helping to maintain blood sugar levels and potentially prevent diabetes.
The antioxidant properties of puffball mushrooms have been recognized in various species. Calostoma insigne, an endangered culinary puffball mushroom found in Thailand, has been studied for its antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-glucosidase, and anticancer activities. The melanin extract from Scleroderma citrinum mushroom, a species related to the puffball mushroom, has also exhibited promising antioxidant and antibacterial effects.
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They can be cooked in various ways
Puffball mushrooms are low in calories and can be cooked in a variety of ways. They are often referred to as the "breakfast mushroom" because they pair well with egg dishes.
When sliced, the flesh of a puffball mushroom should be pure white and firm, airy, and spongy. They have a mild, nutty, and earthy flavour when young, and a yellow-brown colour when mature and inedible.
Before cooking, the mushroom should be sliced in half to ensure that the inside is white and smooth, and free of gills, which indicate that it is not a puffball mushroom. The tough outer layer should be peeled off, and the mushroom can then be sliced and cooked.
Puffball mushrooms can be sautéed, pan-fried, or baked. They can be thinly sliced and added to meat and vegetable rolls, stir-fries, or grilled with a marinade. They can also be battered and fried, used in pasta dishes, blended into hummus, or pureed into gravies.
A classic way to cook puffball mushrooms is to coat the slices in flour, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs, before frying them in oil until golden brown. They can also be cooked simply in butter and oil, with the addition of fresh herbs.
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They have medicinal properties
While the exact calorie count of puffball mushrooms is not known, most raw mushrooms contain 20-30 calories per 100 grams. Puffball mushrooms are huge fungi that grow in woods or fields and are edible and nutritious. They are also known for their medicinal properties.
Native Americans in the United States have used puffball spores as a coagulant to stop bleeding and to help prevent infection. The Lakota tribe, for example, packed large wounds with puffball spores to slow bleeding and help blood clot. The spores are bone dry, and a mature giant puffball is a sack of fine powder. The Cherokee Indians used puffballs to help heal sores and burns, and early settlers in the blacksmith trade also picked up this trick.
Puffballs also have antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties. They can fight Staphylococcus aureus (the cause of staph infections), Salmonella typhimurium, and E. coli at least as effectively as modern antibiotics.
Additionally, puffball mushrooms show antidiabetic effects by significantly decreasing alpha-amylase levels in the body, suggesting that they can help maintain blood sugar levels and prevent diabetes. They also have anticancer effects. In the 1960s, researchers isolated a substance called calvacin from giant puffball mushrooms and found that it inhibited sarcoma in lab mice. Another study confirmed the anticancer effects, showing that C. gigantea extract inhibited lung cancer cell growth by activating pathways that cause cell death.
Puffball mushrooms are a great source of essential and non-essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. Research shows that C. gigantea contains essential amino acids such as tryptophan, leucine, isoleucine, methionine, and histidine, which the body requires for important biological functions but cannot produce on its own.
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Frequently asked questions
A cup of sliced puffball mushroom contains about 19 calories, making it a very low-calorie food. Raw mushrooms contain 20-30 calories per 100 grams.
Puffball mushrooms are low in calories and fat, and are a good source of protein, fiber, and vitamins B and C. They also contain phosphorus, manganese, selenium, and clavacin.
Puffball mushrooms are best suited for cooked applications such as sautéing, pan-frying, and baking. They are often used in egg dishes and are enhanced when sautéed and browned in simple ingredients such as garlic and butter.
