Are you craving for some pasta or creamy mushroom soup lately? Do you want a bite of that satisfying to eat and earthy aromatic scent of fresh herbs and spices that just hit the palate in the right places? Well, if you have been bingeing for mushrooms and any related recipes why don’t you try the unassuming Cremini Mushroom for a change instead of going Shitake, Oyster, Maitake, White or Portobello.
All About Cremini
There are a lot of varieties of mushrooms out there and one can easily get lost or confused as to which is which. Just like in the case of the Cremini Mushroom or sometimes spelled Crimini. If you are thinking, they must have named this mushroom after its place of origin or where they first discovered it or some scientific basis to it perhaps. Funny enough though, they were actually named Cremini to just get away from the confusion between and among other mushrooms that they closely resemble.
Cremini Mushrooms are of the same family as that of Portobello and White Button Mushrooms under the Agaricus bisporus. The main difference is in their age or maturity which affects the sizes, color and more often than not their market value as well.
Major Differences
The White Button Mushrooms are the youngest variety or are harvested at a very young stage of their development and they are also cultured and cultivated to have that white color and soft texture. They are also the most commercially available of the three and a lot cheaper. Contrary to the White Button Mushrooms, the Portobello is harvested at a very mature stage of their growth in order to have that spread-out meaty cap.
Lastly, the Cremini Mushroom is just in between the White Button and Portobello in terms of its maturity. It is moderately more mature than that of the White Button thus giving it a familiar yet much more elevated flavor and a light brown color. And consequently, it is younger than the Portobello. In some instances, the Cremini resembles the Portobello so much that they are also called “baby bella” or “baby Portobello.” The Cremini is also slightly more expensive than the White Button.
Heart Healthy and More
Mushrooms, in general, have long been believed by folks even in the past especially those who are from the East to be somewhat medicinal in nature. Also, they can contribute a lot in an individual’s wellbeing, particularly in terms of cardiovascular health. Traditionally mushrooms like Cremini were served to the head or leaders of the royal families in Egypt as it was then believed to promote immortality. Nowadays though experts in the field believe that Cremini may help contribute in maintaining a younger looking physique and in recent studies it may also help fight cancer with anticancer properties found in medicinal mushrooms.
Nutritious Facts about Cremini
Now let’s get down to the nitty-gritty, Cremini Mushrooms are not just for show they are both delicious and also contain nutrients that are good for the body. In terms of Vitamins, the Cremini as some experts believe contain Vitamin B12, B6, Riboflavin, and Niacin.
- Vitamin B12 is sometimes used to help improve Alzheimer’s disease, slow down the signs of aging, boost one’s mood, improve mental function and boost the immune system.
- Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine is used by some folks to treat low levels of pyridoxine in the body, as well as address anemia, regulate high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels and other fats in the blood. Women also use vitamin B6 for premenstrual syndrome (PMS), help ease morning sickness in early pregnancies and mitigate pregnancy-related depression.
- Riboflavin or B-Complex, on the other hand, is partly involved in boosting normal cell functions and growth, lower the risk of developing cataracts as well as to help maintain healthy locks of hair, skin, and nails.
- Niacin or Vitamin B3 is generally good for the body because it helps in lowering the levels of bad cholesterol in the body, in effect, it can also lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
According to some experts in terms of Minerals and your recommended daily intake (RDI), 100 grams of Cremini Mushroom already contain 2% Calcium, 13% Potassium and 37% Selenium all together.
On the subject of fat and carbohydrates, those who are figure conscious and calorie counters can relax and not panic about eating Cremini Mushrooms. It’s because they have been found to contain less fat though they are packed with more carbohydrates than White Button Mushrooms. So, in the end, you feel full after a meal but not so guilty about the pounds you put on later.
However, Creminis have been found to contain lower levels of protein and fiber compared to other variants of mushrooms in the same family.