Your Ultimate Guide to Trumpet Mushrooms
Known as one of the most mouthwatering oyster fungi, the trumpet mushroom is the most popular. Its unique size, characteristic appearance, and various benefits make it a sought-after mushroom among enthusiasts across the globe.
Below, we’ve compiled the ultimate guide to trumpet mushrooms, which includes their appearance, benefits, various types, and much more! Plus, we’ll provide some additional tips on mushrooms in general.
What are King Trumpet Mushrooms?
Trumpet mushrooms, also known as King Trumpet Mushrooms, are edible oyster fungi that you'll find in areas of Africa, Asia, and Europe. Its savory flavors and growing environments have gained it a reputation as one of the most popular mushrooms worldwide. Some other names the trumpet goes by are King Oyster, Boletus of the Steppes, French Horn, and Trumpet Royale.
Trumpet mushrooms form a series of various species, often called “oysters” because they lack a stem. Similar to the majority of Pleurotus species, you can find trumpet mushrooms on hardwood oak and maple trees. However, many professionals believe the mushroom grows near a thistle species.
Did you know that many family species of the oyster mushroom can provide typical fungi functions because of their nutritional value and health benefits? The trumpet mushroom is no exception, as many studies have proven it might be capable of managing high cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes.
What Do Trumpet Mushrooms Look Like?
The trumpet mushroom is one of the largest of its species, often with a thirteen-centimeter convex cap that, as the mushroom ages, begins to flatten. Once the mushroom is fully matured, the cap margins will start to roll inwards to give the mushroom its funnel-like appearance.
The trumpet mushroom also has a white stem with thin, distant gills. When growing in the wild, King Trumpet mushrooms are grown in small groups or individually.
Various Kinds of Trumpet Mushrooms
There are five varieties of trumpet mushrooms, one of the main types being the P. eryngii var. eryngii. The other types of trumpet mushrooms are the P. eryngii var. ferulae, P. eryngii var. tingitanus, P. eryngii var. elaeoselini, and P. eryngii var. nebrodensis.
According to professionals, it’s still unclear how these varieties differ from one another, but according to research, it may have to do with where the mushrooms are grown. For example, some mushrooms are grown in Southern Italy, while others are grown in parts of France.
However, there’s little to no research that shows that these varieties are different in appearance, health benefits, or nutritional value. Additionally, the most famous oyster mushroom is the P. ostreatus.
Other famous mushroom species include the maple oyster mushroom, Indian oyster mushroom, and the tarragon oyster mushroom. These mushrooms are different in flavor, benefits, and nutritional value. Depending on your taste and preference, this makes the Trumpet mushroom something great to explore!
Benefits of Trumpet Mushrooms
Trumpet mushrooms are the most functional of the mushroom species. Trumpet mushrooms are an excellent choice when choosing a mushroom to incorporate into your diet, even more, because they have fantastic nutritional value.
According to a 2016 research study, researchers found that Trumpet mushrooms mostly contain fiber, protein and no fat. Additionally, they also contain micronutrients, which include calcium, magnesium, and zinc.
Trumpet mushrooms also contain additional health benefits that suggest they might have the ability to lower your cholesterol and prevent obesity. It’s essential to note, however, that research is still in its early stages, so before consuming Trumpet mushrooms for medicinal purposes, you should consult with your physician.
One of the most essential research studies using Trumpet mushrooms tested their effect on unhealthy consumers. In only three months of eating Trumpet mushrooms, users were able to lower their cholesterol and decrease their body fat. Patients were overall healthier than before, showing that Trumpet mushrooms had anti-inflammatory prevention capabilities.
According to recent research, Trumpet mushrooms could also help treat or even prevent neurological disorders. Professionals have been discussing the theory of this having to do with the interaction of genes.
Where Do Trumpet Mushrooms Grow?
Trumpet mushrooms are commonly grown in Africa, Asia, and Europe. They are widespread in areas of Europe, which include Southern France and Italy. Trumpet mushrooms have minimal growing requirements, which allow for its expansion worldwide.
Trumpet mushrooms grow on the roots close to Apiaceae trees. The traditional Trumpet mushroom grows as a parasite, a thistle plant in Southern Europe. P. eryngii can be grown on other mushroom substrates, which include sawdust, wheat, and straw, among others.
With its health benefits and nutritional value, the Trumpet mushroom is a widespread species. However, when choosing a mushroom, you should always consider its harvesting resources and the care it receives.
Ethical Wildcrafting
Ethical wildcrafting is the process of natural resource harvesting that follows specific guidelines to keep our environment safe. In simplest terms, wildcrafting is completed for medicinal purposes. Newcomers to the wildcrafting world will need to learn some of the basics of harvesting.
Knowing the basics prevents individuals from creating damage to our environment while also keeping the trumpet mushroom population alive. When wildcrafting, here are some essential tips to keep in mind:
- Use gentle harvesting practices to prevent damage to the surrounding areas
- Research specific species
- Use a guide to tell the difference between species
- Request permission if wildcrafting on private property
- Research local regulations for wildcrafting in public areas
If you're unsure where to begin when wildcrafting, some areas have harvesting groups that you can join where professional wildcrafters can teach you the basic concepts while also providing tips when searching for your chosen species.
Can You Wildcraft For Trumpet Mushrooms?
There are very few poisonous mushrooms that are similar to the trumpet mushroom, but some, under the right conditions, may resemble. One of the most dangerous types of mushroom species is the Inosperma erubescens. This species can grow a cap almost identical to trumpet mushrooms.
It’s recommended to only Wildcraft for trumpet mushrooms with a professional, and if you do want to harvest on your own, ensure you don’t eat any mushrooms unless you’re sure of their species.
Flavors of Trumpet Mushrooms
If you’ve never tasted a trumpet mushroom, you can expect the flavors to be similar to a portobello mushroom, with a unique nuttiness when cooked. When eating trumpet mushrooms, you can eat them either cooked or raw.
When cooking these popular mushrooms, you’ll experience enhanced flavors while not needing to worry about how well the mushroom will hold up because of its cooking process. When cooking trumpet mushrooms, you’ll use a slow cooking process with heat. The four ways to eat trumpet mushrooms are raw, pulled, seared, or grilled.
- Grilled - When grilled, you’ll experience the smoky flavors of a trumpet mushroom along with its soft texture. Before you grill these mushrooms, ensure you toss them with a bit of oil, lemon, and salt to enhance the flavors.
- Pulled - Pulled trumpet mushrooms make for an excellent sandwich addition. Once you grill or sear your mushrooms, use your hands to pull the mushrooms apart into shreds. For added flavors, you can toss the mushrooms using garlic, lemon, or red onions.
- Seared - To sear, halve your trumpet mushrooms and make small slits into the flesh. Sear the sides of the mushroom in unsalted butter over medium heat until crisp and golden brown.
- The Raw Approach - For a mild flavor, raw trumpet mushrooms are an excellent addition to salads.
Purchasing Trumpet Mushrooms
Presently, you can purchase trumpet mushrooms in almost any grocery store, but if you’re having difficulty finding them, they can also be found in Asian markets. When choosing trumpet mushrooms, look for a firm stalk and minimal damage on its caps.
These mushrooms are affordable for those who can’t resist their delicious flavors. They are an excellent substitute for the porcini mushroom due to their size and texture.
How to Store Morel Mushrooms
For those who love to eat morel mushrooms, you may sometimes have an abundance leftover. But what happens to the leftover mushrooms that you couldn’t finish? So, have you been wondering how to store more mushrooms?
There are three ways to store morel mushrooms, which include dehydration, batter and freezing, and sauté and freezing. To read more about storing morel mushrooms, read our blog post here.
Final Thoughts
Trumpet mushrooms are one of the most flavorful types of oyster mushrooms. Grown in regions of Africa, Asia, and Europe, it has various nutritional and health benefits. One of the best benefits is that it’s easy to incorporate this mushroom into your diet.
Trumpet Mushrooms: FAQ
1. Are trumpet mushrooms safe to eat?
Yes, trumpet mushrooms can be eaten in complete form, as the stem is the heart of the mushroom, resembling meat in vegan recipes.
2. What are trumpet mushrooms good for?
Trumpet mushrooms are good for boosting the immune system, weight management, and to reduce inflammation.
3. Are trumpet and oyster mushrooms the same?
Trumpet mushrooms are the largest oyster and, unlike other mushrooms, are known for their meaty texture and flavor.