What’s the Difference Between Cremini, Button, and Portobello Mushrooms? (2024)
This post originally appeared in an edition of What’s the Difference?, a weekly newsletter for the curious and confused by New York City writer Brette Warshaw. Eater will be publishing all editions that parse food-related differences, though those hardly scratch the surface of the world’s (and the newsletter’s) curiosities: Sign up to get What’s the Difference? in your inbox or catch up on the full archive.
Let me guess — you almost clicked out of this post. I obviously know the difference, you said to yourself. They are literally different types of mushrooms.
I am about to rock your world: THEY ARE NOT. THEY ARE LITERALLY THE SAME TYPE OF MUSHROOM.
They are all Agaricus bisporus, in fact, just different ages: button mushrooms, which are white, are the toddlers; cremini mushrooms, which are brown, are the teenagers; and portobellos, which are brown and much larger versions of their younger selves, are the adults. (You know how creminis are sometimes labeled as “baby bellas?” They’re literally baby ‘bellos!)
Some more fun Agaricus bisporus facts:
They account for 90 percent of the mushroom production in the United States, making it an almost one-billion-dollar industry.
As the mushrooms mature, they lose some of their water content, making portobellos the most flavorful of the bunch (followed by the creminis, then the buttons).
The average American consumes more than 2 pounds of mushrooms each year.
Mushrooms are more closely related in DNA to humans than to plants.
A single portobello mushroom can contain more potassium than a banana.
THEY ARE LITERALLY THE SAME TYPE OF MUSHROOM. They are all Agaricus
Agaricus
Agaricus is a genus of mushroom-forming fungi containing both edible and poisonous species, with over 400 members worldwide and possibly again as many disputed or newly-discovered species. The genus includes the common ("button") mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) and the field mushroom (A.
bisporus, in fact, just different ages: button mushrooms, which are white, are the toddlers; cremini mushrooms, which are brown, are the teenagers; and portobellos, which are brown and much larger versions of their younger selves, are the adults.
Fresh white and brown mushrooms are nutrient powerhouses, providing several important nutrients while avoiding less desirable ones, such as sodium and cholesterol. The nutrients in our White, Baby Bella and Portabella are very similar. In fact, our white and brown mushrooms are from the same species: Agaricus bisporus.
It has two color states while immature – white and brown – both of which have various names, with additional names for the mature state, such as chestnut, portobello, portabellini, button and champignon de Paris.
Yes, you can substitute cremini mushrooms with white button mushrooms or portobello mushrooms. Both varieties have a similar earthy flavor and texture that can work well in most recipes calling for cremini mushrooms. Are there any non-mushroom alternatives to cremini mushrooms?
A more mature version of the white button mushroom, crimini mushrooms have a deeper savory umami flavor. Their firmer texture holds up well to high heat cooking applications, making them an excellent choice for just about any recipe.
Some of the mushrooms considered best for human health include chaga, lion's mane, reishi, turkey tail, shiitake, cordyceps and maitake. Often considered vegetables, mushrooms are neither plants nor animals. They belong to a unique kingdom of fungi.
Like Entoloma hochstetteri (below), Amanita muscaria looks like it stepped out of the pages of a children's book. But don't be fooled by its innocent appearance: This fungus has psychoactive and hallucinogenic properties. The color can vary from red to orange to yellow to white.
What Do They Taste Like? Portobello mushrooms taste have a rich, earthy, meaty, and brothy flavor, a combination of flavors known as umami. This umami flavor comes from a type of amino acid called glutamate, which is naturally present in mushrooms, as well as in other foods, such as parmesan cheese and anchovies.
Despite their difference in diameter, these mushrooms look and taste pretty similar — and for good reason. Portobello mushrooms are simply the mature version of cremini mushrooms harvested when they're fully grown.
The key is timing, according to Tiess. He recommends that mushrooms grown in compost should be quickly rinsed in cold water, drained, sliced immediately, and fully cooked to develop the flavor and reduce the chance of a food-borne illness. Mushrooms should only be cleaned when you are ready to use them.
Baby bella mushrooms are also known as cremini mushrooms. They are the same variety as white button mushrooms but picked when they're more mature, which results in a more developed flavour. Baby bella mushrooms are also the same variety as Italian portobello (or portabella) mushrooms, but a stage younger.
Wild mushrooms can cause a variety of possible side effects, most commonly nausea, vomiting, cramping, and diarrhea, which can show up within 20 minutes to four hours after ingestion.
Eating too many mushrooms can result in weight gain due to calorie overload. Despite being a low-calorie food, mushrooms can result in obstructed gut, constipation, and vitamin overdose that could result in weight gain over time.
Sometimes when the conditions, temperature and humidity are favorable, the mushrooms release their spores, which rapidly grow into white fuzz called mycelium. Despite appearance, they are safe to eat. You can also wipe these “hairs” off with a wet cloth or paper towel.
THEY ARE LITERALLY THE SAME TYPE OF MUSHROOM. They are all Agaricus bisporus, in fact, just different ages: button mushrooms, which are white, are the toddlers; cremini mushrooms, which are brown, are the teenagers; and portobellos, which are brown and much larger versions of their younger selves, are the adults.
Like all mushrooms, portobello mushrooms have been shown to be low in calories and fat, making them a great addition to any diet. 100g of portobello mushrooms contain just 22 calories and 0.35g of fat whilst also containing 2.11g of protein and 1.3g of fibre.
You can. Mushrooms are incredibly healthy and contain many of the nutrients our bodies need to function well. So, like most things, mushrooms can be eaten often as part of a balanced diet. However, unlike most things, eating mushrooms every day will come with more good than bad!
The nutrient value in mushroom stems is attractive. They have high amounts of fiber, which is good for gut health. This part of the mushroom also contains vitamin C and some copper. The mushroom stem has a lot more water content than the cap does - about two-thirds!
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