What are straw mushrooms? Straw mushrooms or paddy straw mushrooms are a popular type of edible mushroom. They have a slightly nutty flavor that isn’t overpowering, making them versatile in various dishes.
These mushrooms are often used in east Asian cuisine to enhance the taste of stir-fries or add depth to soups. Let’s explore everything you need to know about them.
What Is The Scientific Name of Paddy Straw Mushrooms?
Straw mushrooms are also called the volva, and they grow in termite mounds and on cotton waste throughout Asia.
Volvariella volvacea. The name is made up of two parts – “Volvariella” refers to the family it belongs to, and “volvacea” is the specific type within that family. This name is inspired by the mushroom’s unique “volva,” a cup-like structure at the base of its stem that serves as a protective layer.
Straw mushrooms grow on decaying straw and prefer the dry, golden bed it provides. This leftover grass, commonly used as a natural blanket by farmers, becomes the home for entire communities of these edible fungi.
Knowing the scientific name of mushrooms like Volvariella volvacea can be helpful for learning about cultivation and culinary use.
Nutritional Value
The nutritional value of straw mushrooms can vary slightly depending on the specific type and preparation method, but generally, they are low in calories and fat and are a good source of several essential nutrients.
Here is the basic nutritional profile of starw mushrooms per 100 grams:
- Calories: 22 kcal
- Fat: 0.3 grams
- Carbohydrates: 3.3 grams
- Fiber: 1.6 grams
- Protein: 2.5 grams
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): 0.4 milligrams
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin): 3.6 milligrams
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid): 1.5 milligrams
- Copper: 0.3 milligrams
- Selenium: 9.9 micrograms
- Potassium: 390 milligrams
- Phosphorus: 98 milligrams
Also, These mushrooms contain various antioxidants and bioactive compounds that may have potential health benefits, such as improving immune function and reducing inflammation.
It’s worth noting that the nutritional value may change depending on the cooking method, as mushrooms tend to lose some water content when cooked.
What Do Straw Mushrooms Look Like?
Straw mushrooms start as tiny pins and expand into button-like structures, taking on a defined umbrella shape as they mature.
Their caps grow into an earthy color, and the gills underneath the cap release spores for new mushrooms to grow. Watching this transformation can be a delightful experience for the curious.
What Do Straw Mushrooms Taste Like?
Straw mushrooms have a mild umami flavor that’s versatile enough to complement a variety of dishes. The mushrooms are known for their meaty texture and are a popular ingredient in Thai cuisine.
But what sets them apart is their umami content, which adds a savory depth to your meal, like the cherry on top but for savory foods.
Add straw mushrooms to your dish for a nutty flavor and a boost of umami. It’s a simple way to make your meal special without complicating it.
Recipe Ideas of Straw Mushroom
Paddy straws are a delightful ingredient that can be used in various dishes. Here are some recipe ideas to incorporate these mushrooms into your meals:
Soups or Broths
When they’re young and small, they have a soft texture that’s wonderful for quick cooking methods. Toss them into a steaming bowl of broth or miso soup and they’ll cook in just a few minutes, adding a mild, earthy flavor and plenty of nutrients to your meal.
Pasta Sauces, Stews or Stir-Fries
As these mushrooms grow larger, their versatility shines. You can slice them up and add them to more complex recipes such as stir fries, stews, or pasta sauces.
They absorb flavors well, so they’re fantastic in dishes with rich, savory sauces. The key is to cook them just right, so they become tender and release their unique taste into the dish.
Grill
When straw mushrooms reach full size, they develop a firmer, chewier texture that’s ideal for recipes where you want a meatier bite. Consider adding them to veggie skewers or grilled alongside meats.
Their robust structure holds up well to the heat, and they can even be the star of the show in a vegetarian main course.
Powder
You can create a flavorful powder with dried straw mushrooms. This concentrated mushroom powder can be sprinkled over dishes as a seasoning, adding a burst of umami to everything from scrambled eggs to popcorn.
Drying and grinding your own mushrooms ensures you know exactly what’s going into your food, and it’s a fun way to preserve their flavor.
Overall, straw mushrooms are a flexible and nutritious addition to your kitchen. Whether you’re tossing them into a quick soup or crafting a complex entree, these mushrooms are sure to enhance your cooking with their unique textures and flavors.
Are Straw Mushrooms Good for You?
Have you ever wondered if those umbrella-shaped fungi in your stir-fry are more than just a tasty addition? Well, straw mushrooms are incredibly beneficial to your health.
Low in Calories
They’re a low-calorie food, making them an excellent choice for anyone looking to maintain or lose weight without sacrificing nutrition.
Unlike some other foods that are high in calories and fat, straw mushrooms offer a way to fill you up without the extra baggage.
Full of Protein
Straw mushrooms pack a punch with their protein content. Protein is like the building block of our body – it’s necessary for muscle repair, growth, and overall strength.
Including these mushrooms in your diet means you’re giving your body some of the essential tools it needs to stay robust and healthy.
Rich in Vitamins and Minerals
Straw mushrooms are a treasure trove of vitamins and minerals that are vital for our body’s day-to-day functions. They’re rich in B vitamins, which are key players in energy production and brain health.
Plus, they contain potassium, which helps keep your heart beating properly, and copper, which is important for strong blood vessels and flexible joints.
Rich in Fiber
These mushrooms are a fantastic source of dietary fiber. Fiber is crucial for keeping your digestive system running smoothly. It helps you feel full longer, can improve your cholesterol levels, and keeps everything moving along in your intestines.
So, by eating straw mushrooms, you’re not just enjoying a delicious meal – you’re also doing your tummy a huge favor.
Straw mushrooms are a powerhouse of nutrition. They’re not just a flavorful addition to your favorite dishes; they’re also helping your body in multiple ways.
How to Cultivate Straw Mushrooms?
Straw mushrooms are cultivated and are also found growing wild. Here is how you can do that:
Step 1: Preparing the Substrate
You will need to prepare a substrate made of rice straw, or dried paddy straw. Collect the straw and break it into small pieces, around the size of a noodle.
Peel off the outer layer of the straw to remove any dirt or impurities. Soak the peeled straw mushrooms in water for a few hours, then drain it.
Step 2: Creating the Mushroom Bed
Spread the soaked and drained straw onto a clean surface to create a mushroom bed. Make sure to layer the straw evenly to provide a suitable growing environment for the mushrooms.
Step 3: Inoculating the Substrate
Sprinkle oyster mushroom spawn onto the straw bed. The spawn contains the mycelium, which is the vegetative part of the fungus. The mycelium will grow and colonize the straw, eventually producing mushrooms.
Step 4: Providing the Right Environment
Straw mushrooms require a warm and humid climate to thrive. A temperature of around 25-30°C (77-86°F) and high humidity levels between 75-85% are ideal.
Thailand, particularly the northern regions, is known for its perfect climate for cultivating straw mushrooms.
Step 5: Harvest
When harvesting them, it is important to choose unopened mushrooms that are still in the egg stage. It is important to leave some mushrooms behind to allow them to mature and reproduce.
This ensures a sustainable harvest and prevents waste. The mushrooms are ready to be harvested when the cap has fully opened and the veil underneath has broken, exposing the gills.
Harvested mushrooms can be kept fresh for a longer time by storing them in the refrigerator. Alternatively, they can be dried or canned for later use.
Where You Can Buy Straw Mushrooms?
You can buy straw mushrooms at Asian markets, where Mushrooms are available in canned and dried forms. In canned mushrooms can be kept for a long time and are ready-to-use.
They can be added to stir-fries, chow mein, noodle dishes, and many other different dishes.
To prepare them, simply open the can and add 1 tablespoon of the mushrooms at the end of the cooking. In dried form, they can be lightly cooked after soaking in water.
Tips For Cultivation
- Peas and bamboo shoots make great companion plants for straw mushrooms. They provide shade and help retain moisture in the soil.
- When cooking with these mushrooms, remember to remove the cap and stem. The unpeeled mushrooms have a tough texture.
- Be cautious when foraging for wild mushrooms, especially the highly toxic amanita phalloides or death cap. Stick to cultivated or dried forms.
- Add compost or agricultural waste to the soil to enhance the nutrient content. Mushrooms thrive in organic matter.
- Cook and stir the mushrooms on medium heat. This will help them cook evenly and develop a tender texture.
- Straw mushrooms can be stored for a long time. In their mature state, they will keep for months.
- These mushrooms are rich in amino acids and can be used in a variety of dishes, from stir-fries to soups.
- Consider adding other ingredients with it like crab, tofu for added flavors and textures
How Are Straw Mushrooms Grown?
Straw mushrooms like warm and wet places, and they’re mostly grown in Southeast Asia. But they can also be grown in other warm places like Florida, or even in special indoor farms.
To grow them, farmers use straw or other plant leftovers and mix it with mushroom seeds, called spawn. They keep everything warm and moist, and soon, tiny mushrooms start to grow.
If they take good care of them, they can get a few batches of mushrooms from the same straw!