John Miller
Is it National Mushroom Day? Well, that depends on the date and where you are. In Australia, National Mushroom Day is celebrated on the 15th of October. This day is meant for mushroom farmers, restaurants, cafes, and health professionals to enjoy and celebrate everything related to growing and eating mushrooms. In the US, the Day of the Mushroom is celebrated on the 16th of April. This day was created to celebrate the mushroom and its health and ecological benefits. So, if you're in Australia on the 15th of October or in the US on the 16th of April, it's definitely National Mushroom Day!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 15 October 2025 |
| Purpose | To celebrate edible mushrooms and their health and ecological benefits |
| Activities | Eating mushrooms, cooking with mushrooms, mushroom picking, learning about mushrooms |
| Types of mushrooms | Portobello, shiitake, button, truffle, crimini |
| Mushroom facts | Mushrooms are fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi; they are healthy and nutritious; they are low in calories; they have anti-inflammatory properties and can help lower blood pressure |
| Mushroom history | Truffles and other mushrooms were prized in classical Greece and Rome; the first mention of mushrooms in an American cookbook was in "The Virginia Housewife" in 1824 |
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What You'll Learn
National Mushroom Day is on 15 October
National Mushroom Day is celebrated on 15 October. It is a day to appreciate the unassuming mushroom, a fleshy fruiting body of fungi, which has been a part of our diets for centuries. With over 14,000 different species of mushrooms globally, it is a versatile food with numerous health benefits. Mushrooms are anti-inflammatory, helping to reduce susceptibility to various illnesses, and they are also a source of potassium, which can help lower blood pressure.
The day is an opportunity to indulge in mushrooms and experiment with different varieties in your meals. You can swap out a beef patty for a juicy portobello mushroom burger, or add mushrooms to a stir-fry with other vegetables and tofu for a Chinese-style meal. Mushrooms can also be enjoyed in a salad, stuffed, or turned into a creamy soup. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even go mushroom picking outdoors, but be sure to check which mushrooms are safe to eat!
National Mushroom Day is not just about culinary delights; it's also about raising awareness of the health and ecological benefits of mushrooms. Mushrooms are one of the most sustainably produced foods on the planet, so you can fill up on them without feeling guilty! They are low in calories and packed with essential minerals like selenium, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and thiamine.
While National Mushroom Day celebrates edible mushrooms, it's important to remember that not all mushrooms are safe to consume. Some mushrooms growing in your lawn, for example, could be a result of excessively damp conditions or insufficient sunlight, and these should not be eaten. Always make sure you know what type of mushroom you are dealing with before consuming it.
So, on 15 October, join in the celebration of National Mushroom Day by treating yourself to some delicious mushroom dishes and sharing the health benefits of mushrooms with others!
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Mushrooms are fungi
National Mushroom Day is celebrated on October 15. The day is dedicated to the fleshy fruiting bodies of fungi, which come in a variety of species, each with its own unique taste and texture. Mushrooms are indeed fungi, and as such, their consumption is considered healthy. They are biologically distinct from plant- and animal-derived foods and comprise a separate food kingdom.
Fungi, including mushrooms, lack chlorophyll and exist on decaying matter in nature. They contain chitin, a derivative of glucose also found in the exoskeletons of crustaceans and insects, and ergosterol, a unique sterol not found in plants or animals. Mushrooms are a good source of ergothioneine, a sulfur-containing amino acid that is important for human health and found in limited dietary sources.
The standard for the name "mushroom" is the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus. The term "mushroom" is most often applied to those fungi that have a stem (stipe), a cap (pileus), and gills (lamellae) on the underside of the cap. However, the term is also used more loosely to describe a variety of other gilled and nongilled fungi, with or without stems.
There are approximately 14,000 species of mushrooms, including common varieties such as shiitake, enoki, oyster, and fairy-ring mushrooms, as well as more unusual types like lobster mushrooms, which have an atypical shape and red colour due to parasitism. Mushrooms can be found growing in a variety of environments, including lawns, woods, and other natural settings.
On National Mushroom Day, people are encouraged to get creative with mushrooms in their cooking, incorporating them into dishes such as burgers, soups, and omelets. It is a day to celebrate the versatility and nutritional value of mushrooms, whether one is a vegetarian or simply looking to add a delicious umami flavour to their meals.
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They are nutritious and healthy
National Mushroom Day is celebrated on 15 October. The Day of the Mushroom, on the other hand, is celebrated on 16 April and was created to celebrate mushrooms and their health and ecological benefits.
Mushrooms are fleshy spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi. They have been eaten and used as medicine for thousands of years. They are nutritious and healthy, and are known to be a good source of the following:
- Antioxidants
- Vitamins (vitamin D, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12)
- Minerals
- Protein
- Selenium
The presence of these nutrients in mushrooms helps to maintain a healthy immune system. Mushrooms are also a rich, low-calorie source of fiber, and their anti-inflammatory effects can help protect against obesity-related hypertension. They are also known to have anti-cancer properties.
Some species of mushrooms, such as lion's mane, are a well-established candidate for brain health and can help reduce inflammation and boost immune function. Chaga mushrooms are known to have a range of health benefits, from lowering blood pressure to preventing cancer.
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Mushrooms can be cooked in many ways
National Mushroom Day is celebrated on 15 October, and the Day of the Mushroom is celebrated on 16 April. Mushrooms are fleshy spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, typically produced anywhere above ground, on soil, or their food source. They are nutritious and healthy, and there are many ways to cook them.
Mushrooms are versatile and can be cooked in many ways. One popular method is dry sautéing, where sliced or chopped mushrooms are cooked in a hot pan without adding any fat, liquid, or sauce. As the mushrooms heat up, they release their juices and cook in their own liquid, concentrating their flavour. Towards the end of cooking, butter can be swirled in for added flavour. This method works well for white button mushrooms and wild mushrooms.
Another way to cook mushrooms is on a stovetop with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mushrooms should be cut into similar-sized pieces and cooked in a single layer in the pan to ensure even browning. For extra flavour, butter, thyme, and lemon can be added. This method works well for cremini, shiitake, portobello, oyster, and wild mushrooms.
Mushrooms can also be roasted, and they can be used to make soups, casseroles, and stews. They are a popular vegetarian option and can be used as a burger patty or as a topping for steak or omelettes.
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They are a staple in vegetarian diets
While mushrooms are neither plants nor animals, they are a staple in vegetarian diets. Belonging to the Fungi kingdom, mushrooms are fleshy spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, typically produced anywhere above ground, on soil, or the source of their food. There are over 2,000 species of edible mushrooms, with the white button mushroom being the most common type found in grocery stores. White button mushrooms are flavourless in their raw state but can be sautéed in oil or dairy-free butter with minced garlic and fresh, chopped parsley. They can also be sliced and added to a hearty vegan stew or diced and included in a plant-based bolognese for a meaty texture.
Another variety, cremini mushrooms, are the same as white button mushrooms but are harvested later in their growth cycle, giving them a deeper, more savoury flavour. They can be eaten raw in salads or cooked in the same way as white button mushrooms. Portobello mushrooms, meanwhile, are simply more mature cremini mushrooms and have a heartier flavour. They are versatile and can be used in recipes that call for white button or cremini mushrooms. They are often used as a meat substitute, such as in portobello mushroom burgers.
Shiitake mushrooms, native to East Asia, have a deep umami flavour and can be used in various dishes, including hot pots, stir-fries, pasta sauces, and vegan BLT sandwiches. They are also used in vegan mapo tofu, where they are combined with fermented black beans, chilli bean paste, and Sichuan peppercorns.
Mushrooms are a popular choice in vegetarian and vegan cooking due to their culinary versatility and nutritional value. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, protein, and antioxidants, making them a favourite meat substitute among vegetarians. While they are not technically vegetables, they are commonly referred to as such in the kitchen and are used extensively in soups, salads, and stir-fries.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is National Mushroom Day.
National Mushroom Day is celebrated on 15 October.
National Mushroom Day celebrates edible mushrooms, which can be eaten plain, stuffed, or used in salads, soups, sauces, stir-fries, and more.
You can celebrate National Mushroom Day by eating mushrooms! You can also go foraging for wild mushrooms, but make sure you know what you are looking for, as many mushrooms are poisonous and inedible.
Yes, there is also a Day of the Mushroom celebration on 16 April. This day honours all things fungi and celebrates the health and ecological benefits of mushrooms.
