Description of the royal champignon mushroom
There are many varieties of champignons, but royal champignons are considered the most delicious and attractive. Unlike the usual whites we are accustomed to, they have a brown hat and a large size. In addition, they last longer and have a rich aroma. Their taste is reminiscent of a porcini mushroom.
Description of the royal champignon mushroom
The appearance of the mushroom
The hat of the royal, or as it is also called the double-pore or brown champignon, has a hemispherical shape with a characteristic small depression in the center, its edges with the remnants of the bedspread are wrapped inward. These mushrooms differ from ordinary ones in light brown color and brown spots. There are artificially bred strains with smooth white and cream caps.
The diameter of the cap reaches 7-15 cm, sometimes 25-30 cm in diameter. The plates are gray-pink with a brownish tint. The spore powder is brown in color.
Irina Selyutina (Biologist):
Young specimens are characterized by the presence of a dense light private veil covering the hymenophore plates. As the mushroom matures, it breaks and, as a result, a solid ring forms on the stem. The plates of the hymenophore, initially gray-pink, gradually become not just dark brown, but acquire a purple tint.
By the way. The royal champignon species is characterized by a long growth period - 2-3 months.
The leg has the shape of a cylinder, narrowed at the base, and is 2-3 cm wide, 4-8 cm long. It is smooth to the touch, its color matches the color of the cap.
The flesh is white in color, but turns pink on the cut.
Beneficial features
Champignon royal contains in its pulp many useful elements that have a positive effect on the body. Eating these mushrooms:
- accelerates the work of the digestive tract;
- improves appetite;
- prevents the formation of blood clots;
- slows down the aging of the body;
- affects the heart and blood vessels, reducing the risk of heart attack;
- relieves inflammation;
- has an expectorant effect;
- optimizes brain function;
- removes toxins from the body.
Contraindications
This type is classified as a heavy food due to the presence of chitin in the pulp. This substance is not absorbed by the body, so mushrooms are poorly digested. Therefore, you should not give these mushrooms to children under 12 years old. Eat king mushrooms preferably 3 times a week. It is worth giving up use in the presence of such diseases:
- pancreatitis;
- ulcer;
- hepatitis;
- flatulence;
- stomach upset;
- cholecystitis;
- enterocolitis.
Like other species, royal champignons are mushrooms that actively absorb toxic substances from the soil, so you should not collect them near highways and industrial enterprises. Better to buy artificially grown mushrooms.
Application
In cooking
Young mushrooms are delicious
Mostly young mushrooms are used for food, because they have a more delicate taste and pleasant smell.
Before starting cooking, the mushrooms are thoroughly cleaned from the ground and washed.Do not leave them in water for a long time, because they can lose their taste and aroma. When cleaning, cut off the film (private blanket) that connects the leg and the cap.
If the mushrooms have been boiled in advance, then they are added to the dish already at the final stage of cooking. Large mushrooms are used for frying and baking, medium-sized ones are often left for fillings, and small ones for pickling.
Champignons can be eaten raw. They are added to a variety of salads or sauces. For a more pleasant taste, they are slightly sprinkled with lemon juice. For safe use of raw mushrooms, you need to rinse them in running water and dry them, and then cut them into thin slices. Do not store fresh chopped mushrooms for too long, they lose their beneficial properties and taste.
For the preparation of pickled mushrooms, take:
- fresh champignons - 700 g;
- onions - 150 g;
- vegetable oil - 50 ml;
- vinegar - 25 ml;
- dill;
- garlic, bay leaf, pepper, salt - to taste.
Mushrooms are washed and fried for 2-3 minutes without adding oil. When the product begins to produce juice, the rest of the ingredients are added with the exception of the dill. The dish is brought to a boil, removed from the heat and sprinkled with herbs. Then the mushrooms should be infused for several hours under the lid. Pickled champignons are served cold.
Another popular cooking method is canning. To do this, take the following ingredients:
- water - 1 l;
- bay leaf - 6-7 pcs.;
- salt, sugar, vinegar, vegetable oil - 1 tablespoon each;
- cloves, allspice - to taste.
For preservation, they take medium-sized mushrooms, it is important that they do not have even minimal damage. They are washed well and soaked for 10 minutes in a solution with the addition of citric acid. When they sink to the bottom, they are taken out, cooled and poured with salt water. Then, together with the spices, they are put in jars, the containers must be 80% full. After they are poured with marinade, covered with a lid, left to pasteurize for 20 minutes and rolled up.
In medicine
Champignons are also useful in medicine: they contain little fat and carbohydrates, therefore they are often used in the diet menu. They also lower the amount of sugar in the blood, which is why they are included in the diet of people with diabetes.
Due to its ability to have an expectorant effect, the royal mushroom is useful for asthma, bronchitis and tracheitis. A large amount of riboflavin and thiamine in the composition stops migraines and headaches.
Mushrooms are used for medicinal purposes
An extract is prepared from this product, which helps with violation (injuries) of the epidermis. For the preparation of this medicine, unwashed fresh mushrooms are used. They are cut into small pieces, put in a jar and poured over with olive oil. Then the jar is placed in the refrigerator for 4 hours and taken out every 60 minutes to hold it in a water bath for 2-3 minutes.
After the mixture is filtered, the mushrooms are used in food, and the oil is stored in the refrigerator. This tool is used to treat the affected skin 3 times a day. The treatment period lasts 2-3 months.
Growing methods
This species is also grown at home, but this is a laborious process that requires a cool room with high air humidity.
Irina Selyutina (Biologist):
Since champignons are not demanding on the amount of light during development, any premises (basements, sheds, greenhouses) in which the air humidity is 60-90% are perfect for growing them. At the same time, it is important to take into account the year-round temperature indicators in them: if in winter it is not less than + 10 ℃, and in summer not higher than + 20 ℃, then the room will be suitable for year-round cultivation of royal champignon. If these temperature conditions are not maintained, mushrooms can be grown in them only seasonally.
Compost made from wheat or rye (without any traces of mold) and horse manure is used as a substrate. For growing, you need to take the following:
- straw - 100 kg;
- urea - 2 kg;
- superphosphate - 2 kg;
- gypsum - 7 kg;
- chalk - 5 kg.
This amount is enough to prepare 300 kg of substrate. The straw is soaked in water for a day. Then they are taken out and laid in layers, alternating with manure (2-3 layers of both ingredients). Superphosphate is also mixed into the substrate. Then, holes are made on the surface with a depth of about 7 cm.The holes should be staggered, the distance between them is 25 cm.
A handful of mycelium is placed to a depth of 5-7 cm. On top they are sprinkled with a thin layer of substrate about 5 cm thick. The first harvest will appear in 4 months.
Conclusion
Royal champignons are a popular type of mushroom. They have a delicate taste and pleasant smell. They are used for preservation, pickling and eaten raw. They are used in medicine, because they have a useful composition and are useful as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of many diseases. Some grow them at home, but it's not an easy process.
