Wild, gourmet, and common mushrooms. What’s the difference?

Mushrooms come in all shapes, sizes, and flavors, and can be found in a variety of settings including the wild, in gourmet dishes, and in your local grocery store. Understanding the differences between these types of mushrooms can help you choose the best ones for your cooking needs.

Wild mushrooms are those that grow naturally in the wild, and can be found in forests, fields, and other natural habitats everywhere in the world. These mushrooms are often highly prized for their unique flavors and textures and are often used in gourmet dishes. Some examples of wild mushrooms include morels, chanterelles, and truffles. If you're interested in foraging for wild mushrooms, it's important to be familiar with the characteristics of the different types of mushrooms and to seek guidance from an expert or trusted source before consuming any

Gourmet mushrooms are those that are grown specifically for use in high-end culinary dishes. They may be cultivated in controlled environments such as greenhouses, or they may be grown outdoors using specialized techniques. Gourmet mushrooms are often more expensive than other types of mushrooms, but they are prized for their unique flavors and textures. Examples of gourmet mushrooms include shiitake, oyster, and enoki.

Common mushrooms, like the ones you’ve seen in your local grocery, are members of the cremini mushroom family. Interestingly enough, Portabella, Baby Bella, and White Button mushrooms are all the Agaricus Bisporus species! Portabella mushrooms are simply a mature version of cremini mushrooms, while Baby Bella is ripe, and White Button is the youngest. All three types of mushrooms are similar in flavor and texture, although portabella mushrooms tend to have a stronger, more earthy flavor due to their longer growing time. These types of mushrooms have a mild flavor and are often used in a variety of dishes, from soups and stews to salads and sandwiches, and are the most widely cultivated and consumed mushrooms in the world.

In summary, gourmet mushrooms are select species of wild mushrooms that have been farmed for culinary purposes, while common mushrooms are referring to the cremini mushrooms you commonly see in the produce aisle.