Everything You Need To Know About Porcini Mushrooms

Mushrooms have been gracing the food palate for ages now. Whether in salads or standalone casserole dishes, mushrooms are used everywhere. The nutritional benefits of mushrooms are something that you cannot ignore. There are different types of mushrooms available in the markets that are different in their flavours and texture. Porcini mushrooms are a favourite choice for many in the culinary art. It is best known for its rich flavour and several nutritional benefits. 

Popularly known as penny bun mushroom, porcini mushroom is a mushroom type that can be either found in fresh or dried form. It has an earthy and meaty flavour. Hence it is highly used in Italian pasta, rice dishes, sauces and soups. There are some savoury delights like risotto where you can add porcini mushroom. Dried porcini mushrooms are high in demand as they can be stored for long and has more earthy flavours than the fresh ones. It is essential to find where to buy porcini mushrooms to get the best taste. 

Porcini is the wild form of mushrooms, so they are generally found in the wilderness. It grows around the trees in clusters in forests. Porcini mushrooms are found mainly in the northern hemisphere, especially in the parts of Europe, Asia and North America. Dried porcini mushrooms can also be turned into ground spice, and you can easily purchase spices online. 

As mentioned earlier, porcini mushrooms have an earthy, and nutty flavour, there are some more characteristics that make this mushroom distinctive from other forms. 

Porcini mushrooms vary in shape, size and colour. 

The stout stem of porcini mushroom is covered with an umbrella.

The top cap is generally tan, dark brown in colour.

It has a cylindrical cream stem.

The under cap is white and has a solid base.

The porcini mushrooms have a wide which thins to the top.

When you cut the mushroom in half, it will shape like a half-moon.

Porcini mushrooms are found in bulk around the summer and fall time. They are grown around the trees, including pine, birch, hemlock, chestnut, and spruce. These mushrooms are found in dried, frozen, canned and fresh form. It can be easily brought from the grocery store or farmers’ market. 

Porcini mushrooms are quite difficult to find in the offseason, so it is advised to freeze them to hold the stock. Take a look at some factors that you need to consider before buying porcini mushrooms:-

Pick the ones that have large and thick caps in brown colour.

Look for pale coloured under cap.

Avoid the ones with black spots indicating their overripen form. 

Don’t go for the ones with small holes as there can be chances of worms residing in it. 

Look for reddish-brown capped mushrooms.

Go for the whole piece rather than the crumbles pieces.

Buy the ones that are stored in an airtight bag.

Take the ones with a strong aroma.