Category: Fungi

Folklore in Europe once believed that finding witches butter near your home was a sign of a witch's curse. Today, this yellow, gelatinous fungus is known to be edible and is being studied for its potential health properties, though its culinary appeal is limited due to a mild flavor.

Over 1,500 varieties of yeast have been identified, and many are staples in our diets, but some vegans express confusion over its status. Rest assured, the question of 'can vegans have yeast?' is easily answered: yeast is a fungus, not an animal, making it perfectly acceptable for a vegan diet.

With a history stretching back over 400 years, the Tiger Milk mushroom, or *Lignosus rhinocerotis*, is a real medicinal fungus with deep roots in Southeast Asian traditional medicine. Named after a folkloric tale of a tiger’s milk, this rare mushroom has captivated researchers who are now validating its storied healing properties.

A single serving of cooked shiitake mushrooms can deliver over 100% of your Daily Value for copper. This makes the shiitake the definitive answer to what mushroom is high in copper, although several other varieties also offer significant amounts of this essential mineral.

Native American Lakota tribes once used the dried spores of the giant puffball mushroom to stop bleeding and heal wounds. When it comes to eating this impressive fungus, a common question arises: just how many calories are in a giant mushroom? The answer depends on its size, but these fungi are surprisingly low in calories for their bulk.

Mushrooms are renowned for their ability to bioaccumulate substances from their environment, meaning that while they absorb beneficial minerals, they can also take up heavy metals. Understanding what metals are in lion's mane requires distinguishing between essential nutrients and potential contaminants from the soil or growing medium. The final metal content largely depends on the mushroom's growing conditions, making sourcing a critical factor for safety.

According to a 2019 study published in the *Journal of Alzheimer's Disease*, regular mushroom consumption was associated with a 50% reduced risk of developing mild cognitive impairment among adults over 60. Oyster mushrooms, in particular, are gaining attention for their potent compounds that may specifically benefit neurological health and function.

According to reports, the world's most expensive medicinal mushroom is the Himalayan caterpillar fungus, known as Yarsagumba. This rare fungus is parasitic, growing from the body of a ghost moth larva, and commands an astronomical price due to its scarcity and perceived medicinal benefits.

Did you know that Cladosporium herbarum, one of the most common environmental fungi, can thrive in refrigerated temperatures and contaminate a surprising range of foods, from meats to fruits? This pervasive mold is a significant contributor to food spoilage and warrants attention for anyone concerned with food safety.

Over 1 billion people worldwide suffer from vitamin D deficiency, a condition that can be addressed by dietary intake and sun exposure. While most think of animal products for Vitamin D, many people, particularly vegans and vegetarians, rely on ergosterol, the provitamin that converts to vitamin D2 under ultraviolet (UV) light, as a key dietary source. Ergosterol is found predominantly in fungi and yeast, acting as a precursor to the crucial nutrient ergocalciferol.