In many cultures, mushroom picking is an important tradition and can be a substantial source of income. In the Pacific Northwest of the United States, it is estimated that, in some situations, the value of the yearly mushroom harvest in a forest can equal the value of lumber it can produce.[3] According to the "Menus of Change" initiative of The Culinary Institute of America and the Harvard School of Public Health Department of Nutrition, pairing the evidence for health- and sustainability-linked food choices with flavor, other culinary, and demographic trends and plausible business scenarios allows flavor-rich, largely plant-based food and menu choices to emerge. Mushrooms, with their unique sensory and culinary properties, may help Americans move toward healthier, plant-based choices. Of particular interest are the high amounts of both glutamates (not as monosodium glutamate) and ribonucleotides in A. bisporus. Glutamate and certain 5′-ribonucleotides are taste-active chemicals responsible for umami flavours. Calcium diglutamate, in particular, was shown to improve the flavor of low-sodium products.[4]
Mushroom ketchup – style of ketchup that is prepared with mushrooms as its primary ingredient. Originally, ketchup in the United Kingdom was prepared with mushrooms, instead of tomato, the main ingredient in contemporary preparations of ketchup.
Oysters en brochette – variation of the dish whereby it is prepared with mushrooms on the skewers, rather than bacon,[10] and also with both mushrooms, bacon, chunks of tomato, and/or cubes of cooked ham.[11][12]
Sautéed mushrooms – flavorful dish prepared by sautéing mushrooms in butter or oil
Alexander, S., Pilz, D., WEBER, N. et al. Mushrooms, Trees, and Money: Value Estimates of Commercial Mushrooms and Timber in the Pacific Northwest. Environmental Management30, 129–141 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-002-2610-1
Ball, P., Woodward, D., Beard, T. et al. Calcium diglutamate improves taste characteristics of lower-salt soup. Eur J Clin Nutr56, 519–523 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601343
Abu Janus, First Published, World in Eyes, WiE, 2020