While they may not be the most appealing food to look at, crimini mushrooms make up for their lack of color and exuberance with the health benefits they provide. From cancer prevention to providing essential B vitamins, it is no wonder that this is the most commonly eaten mushroom. So don’t be afraid to include mushrooms in your recipes, they will provide added taste, a nice crunch, and a multitude of benefits.

History: Mushrooms have grown wild since prehistoric times and have since been thought to possess special powers. Ancient Egyptians believed mushrooms to grant immortality and therefore only pharaohs were granted the right to eat them. In ancient Rome, mushrooms were referred as "food for the gods." Other countries such as Russia, China, and Mexico believed eating mushrooms granted superhuman strength.

While there is no specific time period that has been determined as to when mushrooms began to be cultivated, scientists believe the act most likely originated in Asia. The first Western cultivation dates back to the 17th century in Europe. Most records point to France, where the cultivation is said to have taken place in the catacombs beneath the city.

Currently, China is the world’s largest producer of mushrooms with Europe in close second and the United States in third. In the US alone, about 70 percent of all mushrooms are grown on the East Coast with the state of Pennsylvania coming in first place.

In cooking: Mushrooms are porous, and so if exposed to too much water, they will easily become soggy. Therefore, the best way to clean them is by wiping them with a slightly damp paper towel or cloth or with a mushroom brush.

When using the whole mushroom in a recipe, slice off the bottom of the stem. If you will only be using the caps, gently break off the stems.

There are various ways you can incorporate crimini mushrooms into your diet. Sautéed mushrooms and onions can be combined for a side dish; chopped mushrooms can be topped Advertisement

[ Berry-Bell and Hall Mortuary ] to tomato sauce; or make a mushroom omelet for a hearty breakfast.

Benefits: Crimini mushrooms have a plethora of benefits. Roughly one cup of crimini mushrooms contains 18 different vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant phytonutrients. With the ability to reduce unwanted inflammation, consuming crimini mushrooms can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some forms of cancer. Crimini mushrooms also provide critical antioxidant nutrients by containing rich amounts of selenium, zinc, and manganese.

Research has shown that through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients, crimini mushrooms can protect consumers from cardiovascular disease by protecting the blood vessels from damage. Protection has been specifically noted to occur in the aorta, the body’s largest blood vessel.

These nutrients can also help decrease the risk of cancer, primarily breast and prostate cancer, but for other types, as well.

Overall, crimini mushrooms are an excellent source of many minerals including immune-supportive selenium, bone-building copper, heart-healthy potassium, and energy-producing phosphorous. They also contain B vitamins and protein. The list is a long one when it comes to what crimini mushrooms can do to improve your health.

Storage: When purchasing crimini mushrooms, look for those that are firm, plump, and brown in color. If you will only be cooking the caps of mushrooms, choose those that already have short stems to avoid waste.

When storing loose mushrooms, keep them in the refrigerator in a loosely closed bag wrapped with a damp cloth. Avoid having the mushrooms stacked on top of each other as the less surface contact they have the fresher they will stay.

Prepackaged mushrooms can be stored for up to 7 days. However, to increase their freshness, remove them from the original package and store them as mentioned above. Dried mushrooms should be stored in an air tight container in either the refrigerator or freezer where they will remain fresh for six months to a year.

Fun Fact: The names "white button," "crimini" and "portobello" all refer to this same scientific category of mushroom, Agaricus bisporus. 

Courtesy of whfoods.com.