Types of woody mushrooms
In eastern countries, woody fungi, which are parasites, are actively used for food. They have a special and unusual taste. Today, different types are added to oriental dishes: stews, side dishes, rolls, in the first and second.
Types of woody mushrooms
Description
The tree fungus is a parasite, its spores, getting on the substrate, form mycelium.
Over time, fruiting bodies destroy the substrate on which they settled - wood or sawdust. The description of the representatives is different:
- The black Chinese mushroom has no prominent caps or legs; the fruit body is wavy, thin, resembling scallops.
- Shiitake is similar in appearance to champignons, only they have a different color.
A feature that unites all Chinese woody mushrooms is the release of special enzymes that can break down the tree and use this for the rapid growth of mycelium. This unpretentiousness to the substrate makes it possible to grow on an industrial scale.
Views
The name “arboreal” was given not to a separate species, but to their totality, parasitizing trees and including representatives of different genera and families. Edible tree mushrooms include the following:
- tinder fungus yellow;
- tinder fungus orange;
- coral hedgehog;
- shiitake;
- black muer.
Tinder fungus is common in temperate climates. In China, this mushroom is used for medicinal purposes. Such mushrooms grow on the bark of trees, the fruit body is flat and has the shape of an ear, there is no prominent leg. There are conditionally edible and inedible species. Do not eat Polypores growing on conifers, they are poisonous. Description of mushrooms:
- Coral Hericium has more than one name: ice, white, royal, snowy, gelatinous. The fruit body looks like white sea corals. They grow on a woody substrate.
- Shiitake, aka Japanese forest mushroom, grows on dead wood. It looks like a champignon, has a dark brown color with stains on the cap. Grows singly. Possesses high taste.
- Muer (auricularia auricular, ears of Judah) is popular in China, Vietnam, Thailand. It grows on alder, has the shape of ears, the fruit body is thin and black. Juveniles are pinkish in color and transparent flesh. The species is also found in the Far East of Russia.
Dried fruits are more often supplied - they are easier to transport and store. In addition, they retain the entire range of vitamins and minerals.
Useful properties and composition
The composition of different species is different. But they all contain the following elements:
- vitamin D;
- calcium;
- iron;
- polysaccharides;
- acids;
- protein;
- chitin;
- phosphorus;
- potassium.
The calorie content of foods is low. Coral mushroom (hedgehog) is considered a dietary product, it contains 70% fiber. In a shiitake, there are only 34 kcal per 100 g, in a tinder fungus - 24 kcal. Any mushroom is indicated for weight loss, because dietary fiber cleanses the intestines well and creates a feeling of fullness. The pulp is low in carbohydrates and high in protein, which is beneficial for gaining muscle mass.
Mushrooms are good for the heart
Dried wood mushrooms have the same vitamin composition.They should be soaked before use. Given the presence of a complex of vitamins and microelements, fruiting bodies are useful for:
- The digestive and intestinal organs.
- Blood vessels.
- Works of the heart.
- Brain, improve concentration and memory.
- Strengthening the musculoskeletal system.
- Protecting the liver from toxins.
- Reducing cholesterol and sugar levels.
Scientists are proving the benefits of fungi with radiation exposure, for the prevention of tumors and the treatment of diabetes. Hericium is used for the prevention of malignant neoplasms and their treatment. A large amount of water in its composition (60-85%) improves cell hydration.
Irina Selyutina (Biologist):
Studies of the composition of the coral's mane have shown that it can and should be successfully used in medicine. One of its extremely important qualities is a positive effect on the nervous system. The results obtained by scientists from the Federal Republic of Germany in the study of the fermentation broth of this mushroom in the late 1990s. received erinacin E. This substance is considered one of the most powerful stimulants for the growth of nerve cells (we remember from the school the postulate: "nerve cells do not recover"). Therefore, the black man's mane is a potential cure for Alzheimer's disease. To date, this substance has already been obtained in laboratories and work is underway to create specific medical preparations based on it.
Muer - unique protein fruits, prevent obesity, anemia, hypertension (arterial hypertension), a strong sorbent in case of poisoning. Shiitake is good for the respiratory system, in Chinese teaching they are considered regulators of positive Qi energy. Shiitake is capable of removing toxins and even radioisotopes from the human body. They are used in the treatment of allergies, heart problems. The inhabitants of China and Japan consider mushrooms to be a kind of aphrodisiac. Shiitake extract is often added to anti-aging creams.
Contraindications
Tree mushrooms are harmful:
- children under 14 years old due to the content of chitin;
- people with individual intolerance, including allergy sufferers;
- patients with problems of the digestive system, which makes it impossible to digest and assimilate mushrooms;
- elderly and old people.
Most of the species are produced in factories, so you should not be afraid of poisoning with such mushrooms. It is important to follow the instructions for use and storage. When collecting tinder fungus, the same precautions are taken as when collecting common forest species. Dried tree mushrooms are not worth buying from your hands.
Culinary and medical applications
Varieties of fungi that parasitize the tree are used in medicine and cooking, their positive effect on the body has been proven over time.
Chinese tradition has long used muer, shiitake, and tinder fungus for making soups, side dishes and other dishes. Coral mushroom is added to sauces, and also eaten fried: it has a pleasant crunchy structure and an unusual taste. The dried tree mushrooms are boiled, squeezed out and left in the canned peach syrup.
In medicine, lentian is obtained from shiitake, which is the basis of commercial drugs in Japan. Lentinula edible - this is how the shiitake mushroom is called in science. It was this name that gave the name to a specific polysaccharide of these mushrooms - lenthian.
If shiitake mushrooms are grown on whole wood (on specially prepared logs), this is no longer food, but a medicine, because mushrooms contain a lot of this polysaccharide. These fruiting bodies are sent to pharmacies in Asian countries. But mushrooms grown on sawdust go to restaurants. There is much less lentiana in them, but the mushrooms themselves are much larger and tastier.
In Chinese traditional medicine, tinctures, ointments, dry powders and extracts from dried tinder fungus are prepared. Muer tinctures are known for their anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties.
In cosmetology, white coral mushrooms are used to make the following types of skin creams:
- moisturizing;
- anti-aging;
- anti-wrinkle creams.
Now in European countries, special attention is paid to the cosmetic and medicinal properties of woody mushrooms. Did you know?There are some very interesting ways to use these organisms. Violinist and violin maker Antonio Stradivari made unique musical instruments for himself from wood, which was depleted by tree mushrooms, and the poet conducted sound better.
Growing methods
Any Chinese tree mushroom is cultivated all over the world. And shiitake, and tinder fungus, and muer are grown in special workshops on sawdust and logs. For the convenience of production (storage), woody mushrooms are dried. Pressed products are packaged and sold. Before use, the workpieces must be soaked in water for several hours.
Conclusion
Wood mushrooms grow in the East, are grown in mushroom factories around the world. They have a rich vitamin composition, so they are used in cooking, medicine, and cosmetology. Dry fruit bodies are the most popular form of storage and delivery, because they are not only not devoid of healing and taste properties - they perfectly preserve them in this form.
