Mushroom Identification Process- Easy Step by Step Method

Mushrooms are one of the most popular foods on earth. Because of its unique look and taste; it’s very popular around the globe. Mushrooms are also very healthy. There are lots of different types of mushrooms. So sometimes it’s very tough to identify the mushrooms especially for a newbie in this area. Not only that but not all mushrooms are edible; some are poisonous. And without proper knowledge, it could be extremely dangerous to eat or sell a poisonous mushroom. That’s why the mushroom identification process is so important. Below I discuss how to identify nine common mushrooms around the world.

Identify Chanterelles mushroom:

Chanterelles mushrooms are a favorite mushroom. Here are some steps to identify them.

False gills: These mushrooms have false gills. They are hard to remove from the cap. These gills run down the stem.
Cap: The Caps looks like a vase. They are mainly light yellow to orange-yellow in color.
Stem: The stems are smooth. Around the base or ring, there’s no bulb. They are usually not hollow and the same color as the cap.
Spore print: The spore color is usually white to light yellow in color.
Habitat: These Mushrooms are mycorrhizal; they grow on the ground in a variety of hardwood forests. They often take food from plant or tree roots.

Identify Cremini mushroom Identify:

Cremini mushrooms are a younger version of Portobello mushrooms. These mushrooms usually grow in Europe and North America. Here are some steps to identify them.

Color: These mushrooms are usually dark brown and firmer than common white button mushrooms.
Cap: It’s usually smooth and rounded.
Gills: Their gills are usually covered by a sheath of skin.

Identify Shiitake mushroom:

Shiitake mushrooms are a tasty and healthy mushroom. They were used in ancient China as medicine for 6000 years. It’s not only delicious but also very healthy. It’s full of vitamin B and D. They help fight obesity; they make the immune system stronger. They also help against cancer. It also keeps your heart healthy. It lowers the cholesterols in your body and much more. Here are some of the ways this mushroom is identified.

Cap: Their cap is light to brown. Often with white.
Stem: Their stem is white. And also sometimes very light brown.
Spore print: Their spore print is also white.
Growing Habitat: These mushrooms will only grow on inoculated hardwood logs.

Identify Button mushroom:

Button mushrooms are one of the most common mushrooms in the world. They are very cheap and eaten by millions of people around the world. They are also easy to find and are taste good. They are also very healthy. They contain vitamin B and many other essential vitamins and minerals. Here are some easy steps to identify these Mushrooms.

Cap: The cap is usually pale gray in color.
Spore: The spore print is usually dark brown.
Flesh: The flesh is white. But if bruised it’ll turn pinkish which can happen when a lot of pressure is put on it.

Identify Morel mushroom:

Morels are another good tasting and favorite mushroom species. This mushroom has a lot of look-alikes. So it’s important to know the real morels mushroom. Here are a few easy steps to identify them.

Growing Habitat: These mushrooms usually grow near ash, elm and apple trees.
Growing time: These mushrooms usually grow in spring. They usually fruit from February to June.
Cap: The cap is longer than the stem. It’s covered in pits and ridges. It’s often longer than the stem. It’s also attached directly to the stem.
Spore: The spore is usually light, cream to light yellow in color.
Inside: Once sliced the inside is hollow.

Identify Portobello mushroom:

These are very popular mushrooms. They are tasty and healthy. When young they are called cremini mushrooms. They are very healthy because they are full of potassium, amino acid and vitamin B. Here are some steps to identify these mushrooms.

Cap: The cap is usually pale gray in color.
Spore: The spore print is usually dark brown.
Flesh: The flesh is white. But if bruised it’ll turn pinkish. This can happen when a lot of pressure has been applied to it.
Growing habitat: This mushroom is usually found in field and grassy areas following rain, during late spring up to autumn, especially with the availability of

Identify Oyster mushroom:

Pleurotus ostreatus or Oyster mushrooms are a common edible mushroom. These mushrooms are very healthy and tasty. They lower cholesterol levels and even cancer. They also clean up the environment in a nice way.

Recently these mushrooms have become very popular among food lovers and vegetarians. They are easy to grow, and you can do it in your home. They don’t need a lot of space it can even be done in cardboard. Here are some easy steps to identify these mushrooms.

Cap: It has white to light brown color. And has white flesh.
Spore: It’s usually white to lilac gray.
Habitat: they are found around hardwoods.

Enoki mushroom Identify:

This is another very popular mushroom. Here are some steps to identify them.

Caps: The caps are usually white-colored.
Stems: The stems are long with petite.
Size: They are long. At their base, there is a collar which is the reason for their long growth style.
Stem: They have thin, delicate stems which can grow up to five inches in length.
Taste: They are crunchy when bitten into and have a refreshing flavor.
Wild: Wild enoki is slightly different from the commercially produced version. The wild ones have shorter stems with larger caps, and the color is orange to brown.

Porcini mushroom Identify:

This mushroom is one of the most delicious mushrooms out there. They are extremely popular and used in many popular foods like pizza. Porcini mushrooms can be imported from many different countries. They are not only tasty but also very healthy. Here are some easy ways to identify this mushroom.

Caps: The cap usually looks like a greasy bun. The color is either yellow-brown or reddish brown.
Stem: The stem is very solid. And the color is white.
Habitat: They grow beneath tree soil. Usually beech and birch. Porcini mushrooms also grow in semi-sunny places, primarily where the sun can reach the ground.

Identifying the right mushrooms is crucial because it can help us avoid buying or picking the wrong ones. Hopefully, this article will help everyone find the right mushrooms. But if you’re still unsure talk to a mushroom expert just to be safe.