Emily Johnson
White button mushrooms, also known as table, common, or champignon mushrooms, are the most popular mushroom variety, representing about 90% of mushrooms consumed in the United States. They are the immature form of the edible fungus Agaricus bisporus, which also includes cremini and portobello mushrooms. White button mushrooms are small to medium in size, with smooth, rounded, firm, and spongy white caps. They have a mild flavour and a delicate texture, making them extremely versatile in a wide range of recipes and cooking techniques. They are available year-round and can be found in grocery stores worldwide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Name | White Button Mushrooms |
| Botanical Name | Agaricus bisporus |
| Colour | White |
| Size | Small to medium with caps averaging 2-7 cm in diameter |
| Texture | Smooth, rounded, firm, spongy |
| Taste | Mild |
| Culinary Uses | Raw, sautéing, grilling, roasting, stir-frying, braising, baking, stewing |
| Storage | Store in original packaging or a porous paper bag in the refrigerator for up to a week |
| Nutritional Value | Low in calories and sugar, high in protein, vitamin D, vitamin B12, riboflavin, selenium, amino acids, folate, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, potassium |
| Medicinal Properties | Antioxidant compounds, polyphenols, polysaccharides, ergothioneine, glutathione, vitamin C, selenium, beta glucan |
| Availability | Available year-round |
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What You'll Learn
- White button mushrooms are the youngest form of Agaricus bisporus mushrooms
- They have a mild flavour and can be eaten raw or cooked
- They are the most popular mushroom, making up 90% of mushrooms consumed in the US
- They are cultivated in over 70 countries and are also found in grasslands worldwide
- White button mushrooms are nutritious and have medicinal properties
White button mushrooms are the youngest form of Agaricus bisporus mushrooms
White button mushrooms, also known as table, common, champignon, or white mushrooms, are the youngest form of Agaricus bisporus mushrooms. They are small to medium in size, with caps averaging 2-7 centimetres in diameter and short stems. The caps are smooth, rounded, firm, and spongy, and the gills underneath are light brown, hidden by a white veil. White button mushrooms are favoured for their mild taste and versatility in culinary applications. They can be eaten raw or cooked using various methods such as sautéing, grilling, roasting, stir-frying, braising, and baking.
White button mushrooms are widely cultivated and consumed worldwide, particularly in the United States, where they make up about 90% of mushrooms consumed. They are available year-round and can be found in virtually every grocery store. White button mushrooms are also a good source of nutrients and antioxidants. They contain vitamin D, B vitamins (including riboflavin, niacin, and pantothenic acid), phosphorus, potassium, selenium, amino acids, riboflavin, zinc, folate, and manganese.
White button mushrooms are the least mature form of Agaricus bisporus, which also includes cremini mushrooms and portobello mushrooms. As they mature, white button mushrooms develop into cremini mushrooms, which are slightly brown, and eventually become portobello mushrooms, the largest, darkest, and most mature stage of the species. This progression from white button to cremini to portobello mushrooms represents the different stages of maturity of the same mushroom species.
White button mushrooms have a high water content, which contributes to their mild flavour and longer cooking time compared to their more mature counterparts. They are delicate and should be handled gently to avoid bruising, which causes the white flesh to turn pink and then brown. When selecting white button mushrooms, look for those that are firm, fresh, and dry but not dried out, with a plump appearance. They can be stored in their original packaging or a porous paper bag in the refrigerator for up to a week.
White button mushrooms have a long history, with varieties of Agaricus bisporus growing wild since prehistoric times and holding cultural significance in various parts of the world. They were first believed to have been cultivated in France in 1707, and commercial varieties were later developed in 1925 in Pennsylvania. White button mushrooms continue to be widely cultivated and consumed today, valued for their taste, versatility, and nutritional benefits.
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They have a mild flavour and can be eaten raw or cooked
White button mushrooms, also known as table, common, champignon, or cremini mushrooms, are the youngest variety of Agaricus bisporus. They are small to medium in size, with caps averaging 2-7 centimetres in diameter and short stems. They are favoured for their mild flavour and can be eaten raw or cooked.
When selecting white button mushrooms, look for those that are firm, with a fresh, smooth appearance. The surface should be dry but not dried out, and they should appear plump. They are typically sold with a closed veil under the cap, which hides the gills underneath. White button mushrooms can be stored in their original packaging or a porous paper bag in the refrigerator for up to a week. They should not be frozen, but cooked mushrooms can be frozen for up to a month.
White button mushrooms are versatile and can be used in a wide range of recipes and cooking techniques. They can be eaten raw, sliced and added to salads or served with dips. When cooked, they develop an earthy flavour and a chewy texture. They can be cooked using various methods such as sautéing, stir-frying, grilling, braising, roasting, or baking. They are commonly used in pasta dishes, omelettes, pizzas, soups, sauces, and as a side dish.
White button mushrooms are also nutritious and contain antioxidants, potassium, selenium, amino acids, vitamin D, riboflavin, phosphorus, zinc, folate, and manganese. They are low in calories and sugar while being high in protein, making them a popular choice for plant-based diets. Additionally, they possess medicinal properties, including potential cancer-fighting and heart-healthy benefits due to their antioxidant content.
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They are the most popular mushroom, making up 90% of mushrooms consumed in the US
White button mushrooms, also called white mushrooms, table mushrooms, common mushrooms, champignon mushrooms, or champignon de Paris, are the most popular mushroom variety. They make up around 90% of mushrooms consumed in the United States. This variety is cultivated in at least 70 countries worldwide and is one of the most commonly and widely consumed mushrooms globally. White button mushrooms are the immature form of the edible fungus Agaricus bisporus, which also includes cremini mushrooms and portobello mushrooms. All of these mushrooms are the same but at different maturity stages. White button mushrooms are the least mature, measuring 1 to 3 inches across, followed by cremini mushrooms, which are slightly brown, and then portobello mushrooms, which are the largest, darkest, and most mature stage of the species.
White button mushrooms are favoured for their mild flavour, versatility in culinary applications, and low cost. They can be consumed raw or cooked using various methods such as sautéing, stir-frying, grilling, braising, roasting, baking, or stewing. They are also available in frozen, canned, dried, or powdered forms. When raw, they have a crisp texture, and when cooked, they develop an earthy flavour with a chewy texture. The entire mushroom is edible, including the cap and stem, and they are a good source of various nutrients and antioxidants.
White mushrooms are low in calories and sugar while being high in protein and vitamin D. They also contain vitamin B12, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, amino acids, folate, manganese, and more. The antioxidants in white mushrooms are believed to have potential cancer-fighting properties and can help protect against heart disease. Additionally, their glutathione content acts as an antioxidant and detoxification agent, helping to eliminate foreign substances from the body.
White button mushrooms are commonly found in grocery stores and are typically firm, with a fresh, smooth, and dry appearance. They have a closed veil under the mushroom cap, and their flesh is delicate and bruises easily, turning pink and then brown when damaged. To store them, it is recommended to keep them in their original packaging or a porous paper bag in the refrigerator, where they can last for up to a week. Fresh mushrooms should not be frozen, but cooked and frozen mushrooms can be stored for up to a month.
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They are cultivated in over 70 countries and are also found in grasslands worldwide
White button mushrooms, botanically classified as Agaricus bisporus, are one of the most cultivated varieties of mushrooms in the world. They are cultivated in over 70 countries and are also found in grasslands worldwide.
Agaricus bisporus is a basidiomycete mushroom native to grasslands in Eurasia and North America. It is cultivated in more than 70 countries and is one of the most commonly and widely consumed mushrooms in the world. In 2022, world production of mushrooms (including truffles) was 48 million tonnes, with China leading the way with 94% of the total. Japan and the United States were the second-largest producers.
White button mushrooms are the most popular mushroom variety, making up about 90% of the mushrooms consumed in the United States. They are also the least expensive and have a mild flavour, although they readily absorb the flavours of the ingredients they are cooked with. Their versatility, meaty texture, and mild flavour make them extremely versatile. They can be eaten raw or cooked in a variety of ways, including sautéing, stir-frying, grilling, braising, and roasting.
White button mushrooms are the youngest form of Agaricus bisporus, followed by cremini mushrooms, and then the mature portobello mushrooms. They are small to medium in size, with caps averaging 2-7 centimetres in diameter and short, truncated stems. They are commonly found in fields and grasslands all over the world.
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White button mushrooms are nutritious and have medicinal properties
White button mushrooms are the most commonly consumed mushrooms in the United States, making up about 90% of the market share. They are also the most cultivated type of mushroom worldwide. This variety of mushroom is native to grasslands in Eurasia and North America and is cultivated in over 70 countries. White button mushrooms are the immature form of the edible fungus Agaricus bisporus, which also includes cremini and portobello mushrooms. They are small to medium in size, with caps averaging 2-7 cm in diameter, and are attached to short, truncated stems. They have a mild flavour and a meaty texture, making them extremely versatile. They can be eaten raw or cooked in a variety of ways, including sautéing, stir-frying, grilling, braising, and roasting.
White button mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help regulate the body's energy and to provide additional antioxidants to promote overall health and well-being. They are also believed to have detoxification properties, helping to eliminate potentially harmful foreign substances from the body. In Egypt, they were revered for the belief that they gave the consumer special powers or eternal life.
When selecting white button mushrooms, look for those that are firm, with a fresh, smooth appearance. The surface should be dry but not dried out, and the mushrooms should appear plump. They typically feature a closed veil under the mushroom cap, as opposed to an open veil that reveals the mushroom's gills. To store them, keep them in their original packaging or in a porous paper bag in the refrigerator, where they will stay fresh for up to a week. Avoid storing them in plastic bags, as this can trap moisture and cause them to turn slimy. Fresh mushrooms should not be frozen, but cooked mushrooms can be frozen for up to a month. To clean mushrooms, brush off any debris with your fingers or a damp paper towel, or rinse briefly under running water and pat dry.
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Frequently asked questions
White button mushrooms are the immature form of the edible fungus Agaricus bisporus, which also includes cremini mushrooms and portobello mushrooms. They are small to medium in size, with caps averaging 2-7 centimetres in diameter and short stems. They have a mild flavour and a smooth, rounded, firm, and spongy appearance.
White button mushrooms have an earthy, meaty, and brothy flavour, a combination known as umami. Their flavour is comparatively mild, and they can be eaten raw or cooked.
White button mushrooms are low in calories and sugar, and high in protein and vitamin D. They also contain vitamin B12, riboflavin, selenium, amino acids, and antioxidants. They are considered beneficial for those following plant-based diets due to their nutritional value and medicinal properties.
White button mushrooms should be stored in their original packaging or in a porous paper bag in the refrigerator. They can keep for up to a week. Do not store them in plastic bags as this can cause them to turn slimy.
