Beech Mushroom uses

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4 years ago

Beech Mushroom Quick Facts
Name:	Beech Mushroom
Scientific Name:	Hypsizygus tessellatus
Origin	East Asia

Beech Mushroom is a most gourmet of Oyster like mushrooms due to its fine texture. The mushroom is hemispheric to plane and marbled with water spots on the cap. It measures 2-7 cm. The cap margin is inrolled to incurved. They have crunchy texture which provides delicately mild flavor both satisfyingly sweet and nutty. In the wild, it grows on fallen Beech trees in Japan. It is used for stews, soups and sauces. It is consumed in clusters or individually separated.

Cap

Cap is 4-8 cm, convex and becoming broadly convex with slightly inrolled margin. It is whitish to buff or very pale tan. When fresh and young, it is tessulated with watery spots.

Gills

Gills are close, attached to the stem. Short gills are whitish, frequent and not bruising.

Stem

Stem is equal or slightly club-shaped; bald or very finely silky; 3–8 cm long, 1–2 cm thick and whitish to very pale tan.

Flesh

Flesh is white and white and unchanged when sliced.

Odor and taste

Odor is slightly mealy or distinctive and taste is not distinctive.

Facts about Beech Mushroom

Name	Beech Mushroom
Scientific Name	Hypsizygus tessellatus
Native	East Asia
Common/English Name	Buna shimeji, Shimieji, Hon-shimieji, Clamshell, Buna-shimeji, Pioppini, Alba clamshell, Chiodini
Climate	Temperate
Flavor/aroma	Nutty

Health Benefits of Beech Mushroom

Rich in Nutrients

Beech Mushroom has high content of nutrients mainly to polysaccharides as the active compounds. Other nutrients such as fiber, protein and low fat content which is beneficial for those having non-communicable diseases. It contains potassium, phosphorus followed zinc, magnesium and copper. It is a rich in ergosterol steroids, riboflavin, provitamin D2, biotin and niacin.

Low in cholesterol

Beech mushroom has dietary fiber which promotes fecal excretion of bile acids and reduces insulin response. It lowers serum total cholesterol concentrations but also atherosclerotic lesion formation.

Prevents parasitic infection

Beech mushrooms have protease enzymes which has nematicidal effect on Panagrellus redivivus and bovine infective larvae which affects animals, plants and humans and protects from parasitic diseases.

Prevents cancer

Beech Mushroom is rich in glycoprotein (HM-3A), beta-(1-3)-glucan, marmorin, hypsizipreno and hypsin which inhibits proliferation of various cancer cells such as leukemia, breast, hepatoma, sarcoma, lung carcinoma cells. It is a good source of anticancer agents.

Antifungal properties

Hypsin possess antifungal activity against pathogenic fungi such as Physalospora piricola, Mycospharella arachidicola, Fusarium oxysporum and Botrytis cinerea.

Treats Hypertension

Beech Mushroom consists of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor which is oligopeptide that lowers blood pressure and reduces the chances of stroke in persons with hypertension.

Lowers inflammation

Beech Mushroom has high content of phenolic compounds, polysaccharides and flavonoids. It inhibits inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress and prevents lung failure.

Prevents bacteria

Beech Mushroom is rich in phenolic and flavonoid content which is beneficial for preventing bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus.

Rich in antioxidants

Beech Mushroom has flavonoids, steroids, phenol and ascorbic acid which are biologically active components which prevents oxidative stress mediated disease through radical scavenging activity.

Diabetes and weight management

Hypsiziprenol, polysaccharides, hypsin and dietary polyphenols found in Beech mushroom helps to lower fat depositions without affecting body weight loss by activating obesity related gene which is associated for oxidation and lipolysis. Moreover, its intake helps to reduce the fasting plasma insulin and plasma glucose, increase antioxidant contents and modulate glycemic index and regulates both insulin resistance and obesity.

Culinary uses

Add it to stir-fried foods including seafood and wild game.
Use it in stews, soups and sauces.
It could be slow roasted on low temperature with small amount of butter or cooking oil.
Saute mushrooms in olive oil seasoning with soy, green onions, ginger or stock.
It pairs well with red bell peppers and citrus fruits.