Shimeji
Hypsizygus Tessellatus
Beech mushrooms or more commonly known as "Hon Shimeji" or simply "Shimeji" are small to medium-sized mushrooms, growing in tightly packed racemes with convex, rounded, button-shaped caps and slender stems. The small caps are soft to golden brown in color, smooth and crunchy. The ivory to cream stems are slender, averaging 5-7 centimeters in height, and connect to a thick, white, porous inedible base. Brown Hon Shimeji mushrooms have a spicy, savory aroma and a sharp, bitter taste when fresh. When cooked, they are soft and chewable and have a mild, spicy and nutty flavour.
PREPARATION
Shimeji should always be cooked because of its bitterness when served fresh. The bitterness disappears completely when cooked. The cooked mushroom has a pleasant, firm, slightly crunchy texture and a slightly nutty taste. Cooking also makes this mushroom easier to digest. Before cooking, the mushrooms should be brushed lightly to remove dirt and debris. They should not be washed because the mushrooms are porous and too much water will change the texture. It does well in stir-fries, but also with game or seafood. They can also be used in soups, stews and sauces. Shimeji mushrooms can be fried whole, with the stem (end cut off only), at a higher temperature, or slow roasted at a low temperature with a small amount of butter or cooking oil. Shimeji is used in soups, nabe and takikomi gohan.
Rich in protein and fiber and low in fat. They are a good source of potassium, calcium and phosphorus, with trace amounts of other nutrients. Drying the mushrooms slightly reduces the nutritional value. These mushrooms contain a high amount of selenium - a powerful antioxidant. This compound is responsible for fighting off free radicals, which cause widespread cell damage in the body and contribute to the development of chronic conditions such as heart disease and cancer. These mushrooms are high in pantothenic acid, riboflavin and niacin. Together, these three B vitamins play a critical role in the formation of healthy red blood cells, the production and regulation of hormones, and the proper functioning of the nervous system and digestive system. B vitamins are also directly related to the health of your skin.
other names
- Beech mushroom (Dutch)Buchenpilz braunß (German)Buna shimeji (German)Shimeji (French)Hypsizygus tessellatus (Latin)Hon ShimejiShimejiBeech mushroom (English)
