17 Popular Popular Types of Mushroom You Should Try

Mushrooms are a favorite for many food lovers. Their unique flavors and textures make them a great addition to countless dishes. But with so many types out there, it can be hard to know which ones to try.

I’ve got good news for you! In this post, I’ll introduce you to 17 popular mushroom types that are worth adding to your meals. You’ll learn about their distinct tastes, textures, and the best ways to cook them.

Get ready to explore a world of mushroom goodness. From the common button mushroom to the exotic shiitake, I’ll guide you through each type.

By the end, you’ll be eager to try these fungi in your next culinary creation.

List of Different Types of Mushrooms

1. Button Mushroom

Button mushrooms, native to Europe and North America, are small, white, and have a smooth cap. They are one of the most common mushrooms used in kitchens globally.

Category: Edible mushroom
Scientific Name: Agaricus bisporus
Taste profile: Mild, slightly earthy
Common uses: Salads, stir-fries, soups
Harvesting Season: Year-round
Fun Facts: They are the immature form of portobello mushrooms and about 90% of mushrooms consumed in the US are button mushrooms.

2. Cremini Mushroom

Cremini mushrooms, a brown variant of the button mushroom, are native to North America and Europe. They have a firmer texture and slightly darker appearance.

Category: Edible mushroom
Scientific Name: Agaricus bisporus
Taste profile: Earthy, firmer than button mushrooms
Common uses: Sauces, pizzas, roasted dishes
Harvesting Season: Year-round
Fun Facts: Cremini mushrooms are the younger version of portobello mushrooms and are often used as a meat substitute in vegan dishes.

3. Portobello Mushroom

Portobello mushrooms are the mature form of cremini mushrooms, known for their large, flat caps. They originated in Europe and are well-loved for their meat-like texture.

Category: Edible mushroom
Scientific Name: Agaricus bisporus
Taste profile: Deep, umami flavor
Common uses: Grilling, stuffing, as a meat substitute
Harvesting Season: Year-round
Fun Facts: Portobellos are one of the few mushrooms that retain their flavor even after grilling.

4. Shiitake Mushroom

Shiitake mushrooms are native to East Asia and are known for their distinctive smoky flavor and umbrella-like dark brown caps.

Category: Edible mushroom
Scientific Name: Lentinula edodes
Taste profile: Rich, smoky, and earthy
Common uses: Stir-fries, soups, sauces
Harvesting Season: Fall and spring
Fun Facts: Shiitake mushrooms are famous for their medicinal properties and are used in traditional Chinese medicine.

5. Oyster Mushroom

These fan-shaped mushrooms are native to North America and Europe and often grow on tree trunks. Their delicate and soft texture makes them unique.

Category: Edible mushroom
Scientific Name: Pleurotus ostreatus
Taste profile: Mild, slightly sweet
Common uses: Sautéing, frying, soups
Harvesting Season: Year-round
Fun Facts: Oyster mushrooms can be used to make biodegradable plastic.

6. Enoki Mushroom

Enoki mushrooms, native to East Asia, have long, thin stems and tiny white caps, commonly used in Asian soups and salads.

Category: Edible mushroom
Scientific Name: Flammulina velutipes
Taste profile: Crunchy, mild flavor
Common uses: Salads, hot pot, sushi
Harvesting Season: Winter
Fun Facts: Enoki mushrooms are known for their high antioxidant content.

7. Chanterelle Mushroom

These golden, funnel-shaped mushrooms are native to Europe and North America and are highly prized by chefs for their fruity aroma.

Category: Edible mushroom
Scientific Name: Cantharellus cibarius
Taste profile: Fruity, slightly peppery
Common uses: Risottos, pastas, sautéed with butter
Harvesting Season: Summer and fall
Fun Facts: Chanterelles are one of the few mushrooms that can be frozen without losing flavor.

8. Morel Mushroom

Morel mushrooms are native to North America and Europe and are known for their honeycomb-like appearance and distinct flavor.

Category: Edible mushroom
Scientific Name: Morchella spp.
Taste profile: Nutty, earthy
Common uses: Cream sauces, grilled or fried
Harvesting Season: Spring
Fun Facts: Morels are often considered one of the most expensive mushrooms.

9. Maitake Mushroom

Maitake mushrooms, also called “Hen of the Woods,” grow in large clusters and are native to North America and Japan.

Category: Edible mushroom
Scientific Name: Grifola frondosa
Taste profile: Rich, earthy, meaty
Common uses: Roasting, stir-fries, soups
Harvesting Season: Fall
Fun Facts: Maitake mushrooms are rich in beta-glucans, which boost the immune system.

10. Porcini Mushroom

Porcini mushrooms, which are native to Europe and North America, are popular in Italian cuisine. They have a thick stem and a brown cap.

Category: Edible mushroom
Scientific Name: Boletus edulis
Taste profile: Strong, earthy, nutty
Common uses: Risotto, soups, stews
Harvesting Season: Summer and fall
Fun Facts: Porcini mushrooms are often dried and used to flavor broths and sauces.

11. King Trumpet Mushroom

Native to the Mediterranean regions, King Trumpet mushrooms are known for their thick stems and small caps, and are often grilled.

Category: Edible mushroom
Scientific Name: Pleurotus eryngii
Taste profile: Savory, slightly sweet
Common uses: Grilling, stir-fries, soups
Harvesting Season: Year-round
Fun Facts: King trumpet mushrooms are one of the most protein-rich mushrooms.

12. Black Trumpet Mushroom

Also known as “Horn of Plenty,” these dark, horn-shaped mushrooms are native to North America and Europe.

Category: Edible mushroom
Scientific Name: Craterellus cornucopioides
Taste profile: Smoky, rich
Common uses: Soups, pastas, sautéed
Harvesting Season: Summer and fall
Fun Facts: Black trumpets are one of the most challenging mushrooms to spot in the wild due to their dark color.

13. Lion’s Mane Mushroom

Native to North America, Europe, and Asia, Lion’s Mane mushrooms are white and fluffy, resembling a lion’s mane, and are known for their medicinal benefits.

Category: Edible and medicinal mushroom
Scientific Name: Hericium erinaceus
Taste profile: Slightly seafood-like, similar to crab or lobster
Common uses: Stir-fries, grilling, medicinal teas
Harvesting Season: Fall
Fun Facts: Lion’s Mane mushrooms are believed to support cognitive function and memory.

14. Puffball Mushroom

Puffball mushrooms, native to Europe and North America, are large, round mushrooms that can grow quite big and are often white or cream-colored.

Category: Edible mushroom
Scientific Name: Calvatia gigantea
Taste profile: Mild, spongy texture
Common uses: Grilled, sautéed, or added to omelets
Harvesting Season: Late summer and fall
Fun Facts: Giant puffball mushrooms can grow up to 60 cm in diameter.

15. Shimeji Mushroom

Native to East Asia, Shimeji mushrooms grow in clusters, have slender, white stems, and have small brown caps.

Category: Edible mushroom
Scientific Name: Hypsizygus tessellatus
Taste profile: Nutty, slightly bitter
Common uses: Soups, stir-fries, as a side dish
Harvesting Season: Winter
Fun Facts: Shimeji mushrooms are often used in traditional Japanese miso soup.

16. Wood Ear Mushroom

Native to China, Wood Ear mushrooms are dark, ear-shaped mushrooms often used in Asian cuisine for their crunchy texture.

Category: Edible mushroom
Scientific Name: Auricularia auricula-judae
Taste profile: Mild, gelatinous texture
Common uses: Stir-fries, soups, salads
Harvesting Season: Summer
Fun Facts: Wood Ear mushrooms are often used in Chinese medicine to improve circulation.

17. Lobster Mushroom

Lobster mushrooms, native to North America, are named for their bright orange color and seafood-like taste. They result from a parasitic fungus growing on another mushroom.

Category: Edible mushroom
Scientific Name: Hypomyces lactifluorum
Taste profile: Slightly seafood-like, rich
Common uses: Sautéed, in pasta dishes, or soups
Harvesting Season: Late summer and fall
Fun Facts: Lobster mushrooms get their name from their bright orange color, not their species.

Conclusion

Now you know about 17 tasty mushroom types to try!

From earthy porcinis to meaty portobellos, there’s a mushroom for every dish. I hope this guide has excited you to experiment with these fungi in your cooking.

Remember, each mushroom brings its own flavor and texture to the table. Why not start by picking one or two new types to try this week? You might find a new favorite!

Don’t be afraid to ask your local grocer or farmers market vendor for tips on selecting and preparing these mushrooms. They often have great advice.

Ready to get cooking? I’d love to hear which mushroom you try first.

Leave a comment below and share your mushroom adventures!

17 Popular Popular Types of Mushroom You Should Try