What are the common types of edible fungi? Learn about the main varieties in one article

Edible fungi refer to mushrooms (macro fungi) with large fruiting bodies that can be eaten, commonly known as mushrooms. More than 350 species of edible fungi are known in China, most of which belong to the Basidiomycotina. Because they grow in different regions and different ecological environments, there are also many types of edible fungi. At present, 40-50 species can be cultivated artificially on a large scale, so what are the common edible fungi we see?

1. Silver ear fungus

Silver ear fungus, also known as white wood ear, is neutral in nature and sweet and mild in taste. It has effects such as tonifying the kidneys and strengthening the brain, strengthening essence and nourishing yin, refreshing the mind, nourishing blood, strengthening the body, clearing heat and moistening the lungs, promoting fluid production, relieving cough, moistening the intestines and benefiting the stomach, and tonifying qi and strengthening the heart. It contains protein, fat, calcium, as well as polysaccharides, crude fiber, and more. The polysaccharides in silver ear fungus include three types, A, B, and C, all of which have the effect of inhibiting tumor growth, among which polysaccharide C has the best effect. Other components such as crude fiber and calcium also have a role in preventing cancer. Some people have confirmed that silver ear fungus preparations can improve the body's immune function, enhance the phagocytic effect of macrophages, increase the content of immunoglobulin, thereby inhibiting the growth of cancer cells and achieving the purpose of treatment.

2. Wood ear

Wood ear, namely black wood ear, is dark brown in color, soft in texture, delicious in taste, and rich in nutrition. It can be eaten as a vegetarian or meat dish. It not only adds splendor to Chinese cuisine, but can also nourish blood and preserve beauty, making the skin rosy and the complexion radiant, and it can also prevent and treat iron deficiency anemia and has other medicinal effects. It is mainly distributed in Heilongjiang, Jilin, Fujian, Taiwan, China, Hubei, Guangdong, Guangxi, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, and other places. It grows on the decaying wood of more than 120 kinds of broadleaf trees such as oak, poplar, banyan, and locust, singly or in groups. Artificial cultivation is mainly based on basswood and bag substrate. It is neutral in nature and sweet in taste, and has the effects of cooling blood, activating blood, stopping bleeding, benefiting the stomach, and moistening dryness. It contains protein, fat, various sugars, vitamins and trace elements, minerals, and more. It also has anticancer effects and can treat diabetes. Tablets have now been made for oral use. Its anticancer components and mechanism need further study.

3. Shiitake mushroom

Shiitake mushroom, also known as fragrant mushroom, winter mushroom, and more, is neutral in nature, sweet in taste, and non-toxic. It has effects such as nourishing yin, moistening the lungs, nourishing the stomach, activating blood and benefiting qi, and strengthening the brain and body. It is a high-nutrition, low-fat health food. It contains protein, sugar, multiple vitamins, and minerals. Among them, the most important include more than 30 kinds of enzymes and 7 kinds of amino acids essential to the human body. The polysaccharides contained in shiitake mushroom also include 1,3-β-glucose glycosidase, which according to experiments can enhance cellular immunity and humoral immunity and improve the body's anticancer ability. The inhibition rate of shiitake mushroom polysaccharides on mouse sarcoma reached 98%.

4. Lion's mane mushroom

Lion's mane mushroom, also known as monkey head mushroom. It is neutral in nature and sweet in taste, and has the effects of benefiting the five viscera, aiding digestion, and tonifying deficiency. Lion's mane mushroom is delicious in taste and rich in nutrition, containing protein, carbohydrates, fat, crude fiber, 16 kinds of amino acids, minerals, and vitamins. The polypeptides, polysaccharides, and aliphatic amide substances extracted from lion's mane mushroom have an inhibitory effect on sarcoma. Pharmaceutical factories have now produced lion's mane mushroom tablets, and clinical observations show they are effective against gastric cancer, cardia cancer, and esophageal cancer.

5. King oyster mushroom

King oyster mushroom, also known as eringii pleurotus, is a rare new edible fungus variety successfully developed and cultivated in recent years that integrates food, medicine, and dietary therapy. There are many king oyster mushroom products on the market, such as Baishanzu mushroom side dishes - king oyster mushroom, king oyster mushroom extract, ready-to-eat king oyster mushroom small packages, and individually packaged small packs of king oyster mushroom, and more.

King oyster mushroom is rich in nutrition, abundant in protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, copper, and zinc. It can improve the human body's immune function and has effects on the human body such as anticancer, lowering blood lipids, moistening the intestines and stomach, and beautifying the skin.

6. Tea tree mushroom

Tea tree mushroom was originally a wild fungus growing on the roots of tea trees in the high mountain dense forest areas of Guangchang, Jiangxi. It is a purely natural pollution-free health edible fungus that combines high protein, low fat, low sugar, and health dietary therapy. After optimization and improvement, tea tree mushroom has tender caps and crisp stems, a pure delicate fragrance, and excellent taste. It can be cooked into various delicious dishes. Its nutritional value exceeds that of shiitake mushroom and other edible fungi, and it belongs to the high-grade edible fungi category.

The above are the common types of edible fungi. China's edible fungus resources are very rich. As a wealth-building project with small investment, short cycle, and quick results, edible fungus cultivation has developed rapidly in China. Edible fungus products were once in short supply and sold at high prices.

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