Emily Johnson
Mushrooms are the fruits of a group of fungi called basidiomycetes. They have been consumed by humans for hundreds of years, with some sources suggesting that they have been foraged since prehistoric times. In modern times, mushrooms are widely used in cooking, with Eastern Europe being famous for its mushroom dishes. In terms of production, China is the largest grower of mushrooms, with Japan and the United States following behind.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of mushroom species | Over 2,000 edible species out of 5 million species of fungi |
| Common edible species | Cremini, portabella, shiitake, and oyster mushrooms |
| Common uses | Medicine, food, rituals, art, folklore, music, leather, building materials, natural dyes, cheese, beer, wine, and bread |
| Largest grower | China, producing 40 million metric tons in 2020, or 85% of the world's mushrooms |
| Second-largest grower | Japan, producing 471,810 tons in 2020 |
| Third-largest grower | The United States |
| Legality of psilocybin mushrooms | Varies by country and state; decriminalized in Oregon, Colorado, Ann Arbor (Michigan), Detroit (Michigan), Oakland (California), Santa Cruz (California), Easthampton (Massachusetts), Somerville (Massachusetts), Northampton (Massachusetts), Cambridge (Massachusetts), Seattle (Washington), and Washington, DC |
| Effects of psilocybin mushrooms | Hallucinations, emotional changes, altered perception of time and space, and time distortion |
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What You'll Learn
China is the largest producer of mushrooms
Mushrooms are a nutritious food source that can be cultivated on cheap and readily available raw materials. They have been used in native medicine traditions worldwide, including in rituals aimed at mental and physical healing. Some mushrooms, such as Psilocybe cubensis, are known for their psychoactive properties and are commonly referred to as "magic mushrooms" or "'shrooms". They are available in smart shops in many parts of the world or on the black market in countries that have outlawed their sale.
The second-largest producer of mushrooms is Italy, with an annual production of 785,000 metric tons. Italy's focus is on high-quality mushrooms, including Porcini and Agaricus bisporus. Favorable growing conditions and advanced farming techniques contribute to Italy's significant role in the global mushroom market. The United States is the third-largest producer, with an output of 388,450 metric tons. Mushroom cultivation in the US is concentrated in states like Pennsylvania and California, producing varieties such as Agaricus bisporus and Shiitake for both domestic and international markets.
China's dominance in mushroom production has had a significant impact on its economy and poverty alleviation efforts. Earnings from mushroom cultivation are at least ten times higher than those from rice and corn. China exports its mushrooms to 137 countries, with Japan being the biggest import market for cultivated mushrooms. The development of transportation and industrialization has further facilitated the modernization of the mushroom industry in China.
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Mushrooms are used in traditional Chinese medicine
Mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. The first mentions of mushrooms in Chinese medicine date back to over 2,000 years ago, when a Han Dynasty poem mentioned the Lingzhi mushroom (or Reishi, Latin: Ganoderma lucidum). Its Chinese name “Lingzhi” translates to “spiritual power,” and it is also called the “mushroom of immortality.” The Chinese believe Reishi mushrooms to be the “medicine of kings.” They are used for enhancement of intellectual abilities, memory support, improvement of physical fitness, and prolongation of life.
Reishi mushrooms support the body’s immune system and increase hematopoietic activity. They are also used in cancer prevention. Mushrooms are a source of proteins, minerals, such as potassium, chlorine, sulfur, magnesium, calcium, sodium, as well as B vitamins and provitamin D2. Polysaccharides are the most important component of mushrooms, and they are responsible for their health-promoting properties.
Other mushrooms used in traditional Chinese medicine include Cordyceps, Chaga, Coriolus versicolor, Flammulina velutipes (Enoki), Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s mane), Maitake, Polyporus umbellatus, Poria, and Lentinus edodes (Shiitake). These mushrooms have a variety of benefits, including anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antibacterial, and anti-aging properties.
In addition to their medicinal value, mushrooms are also a significant source of food. China is the largest grower of mushrooms, producing 40 million metric tons of mushrooms in 2020, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
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Hallucinogenic mushrooms have been used in many cultures
Hallucinogenic mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, have been used in various cultures for centuries. They are a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The most potent species are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. However, psilocybin has also been found in several other genera, including Panaeolus, Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, and Pholiotina.
Psilocybin mushrooms have been used in Mexican and Central American cultures for religious, divinatory, and spiritual purposes. In Mesoamerica, these mushrooms have been consumed in spiritual and divinatory ceremonies for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence, including Mayan "mushroom stones" found in Guatemala and a statuette depicting a mushroom resembling Psilocybe mexicana discovered in western Mexico, suggests that the use of hallucinogenic mushrooms in the region dates back to pre-Columbian times. The Aztecs and Mazatecs referred to these mushrooms as "genius mushrooms," "divinatory mushrooms," or "wondrous mushrooms," and they played a role in rituals and ceremonies. After the Spanish conquest, Catholic missionaries campaigned against the use of hallucinogenic mushrooms, associating them with idolatry and communication with demons.
In addition to their use in Mesoamerican cultures, psilocybin mushrooms may also have been used in ancient times in other parts of the world. Rock art from Tassili, Algeria, dating back to around 9000-7000 BCE, is believed to depict psychedelic mushrooms and their effects on users. Similarly, prehistoric rock art near Villar del Humo in Spain suggests the use of Psilocybe hispanica, a hallucinogenic mushroom species native to the area, approximately 6,000 years ago.
In modern times, psilocybin mushrooms are often used as recreational drugs and are known for their mind-altering effects. Microdosing, or consuming small amounts of dried mushrooms, has become a popular technique to achieve a less intense experience. While the effects of psilocybin mushrooms are highly variable and influenced by individual factors, they typically include visual and auditory hallucinations, emotional changes, and altered perceptions of time and space. Despite their potential for therapeutic use, psilocybin mushrooms are classified as Schedule I drugs under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, indicating a high potential for abuse and lack of recognized medical use. However, some jurisdictions, such as Oregon and certain cities in the United States, have decriminalized or legalized psilocybin for therapeutic use.
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Mushrooms are a good source of vitamin D
The most common form of vitamin D in mushrooms is vitamin D2, with lesser amounts of vitamins D3 and D4. The amount of vitamin D2 in mushrooms can be increased by exposing them to UV radiation, such as sunlight or a UV lamp. This process can generate nutritionally significant amounts of vitamin D, with levels potentially remaining above 10 μg/100 g fresh weight, which is higher than the vitamin D content in most foods.
The concentration of vitamin D2 generated in mushrooms depends on various factors, including the type and orientation of the mushrooms, whether they are sliced or whole, the distance from the UV light source, the size of the mushroom, and the duration of exposure. For example, in button mushrooms, three pulses (1 second) of UV radiation generated 11.9 μg D2/g DM, while nine pulses (3 seconds) generated 20 μg D2/g DM. The maximum concentration of vitamin D2 (27 μg/g DM) was reached after 12 pulses (4 seconds).
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Mushrooms are the fruit of a group of fungi called basidiomycetes
Mushrooms are a type of fungus that has been consumed by humans for centuries. There are over 2,000 kinds of edible mushrooms in the world, with only a few being commonly consumed. Some of the most popular edible mushrooms are cremini, portabella, shiitake, and oyster mushrooms.
Basidiomycetes are filamentous fungi composed of hyphae, except for basidiomycota-yeast. They reproduce sexually via the formation of specialized club-shaped end cells called basidia that normally bear external meiospores. These specialized spores are called basidiospores. However, some basidiomycetes are obligate asexual reproducers.
Basidiomycetes include the classic mushrooms, polypores, corals, chanterelles, crusts, puffballs, and stinkhorns. Some important basidiomycetes include the maize pathogen Ustilago maydis, human commensal species of the genus Malassezia, and the opportunistic human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans.
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Frequently asked questions
China is the largest grower of mushrooms, producing 40 million metric tons in 2020, which was 85% of the world's mushrooms.
Japan is the second-largest producer of mushrooms, with 471,810 tons produced in 2020.
The United States is the third-largest producer of mushrooms.
Medicinal mushrooms are sourced from China, where they were first grown.
