Beech Mushroom.Hypsizygus tesselatus (Buna shimeji) is an edible mushroom native to East Asia. It is cultivated locally in temperate climates in Europe, North America, and Australia and sold fresh in supermarkets. In nature, shimeji are gilled mushrooms that grow on wood. Most often the mushroom is found on beech trees, hence the common name, beech mushroom. They are often small and thin in appearance and popular in many nations across the world.^[rxx]

Two variations are known:

• Buna-shimeji  Hypsizigus tessellatus, (Brown Beech Mushroom, Beech Mushroom, BeechBrown Clamshell Mushroom);
• Bunapi-shimeji, (White Beech Mushroom, White Clamshell Mushroom); bunapi was selected from buna-shimeji and registered by Hokuto Corporation.

 

Beech Mushroom is the most gourmet of Oyster mushrooms due to its fine texture. The mushroom is hemispheric to plane and marbled with water spots on the cap. It measures 2-7 cm. The cap margin is inrolled to incurved. They have a crunchy texture which provides a delicately mild flavor both satisfyingly sweet and nutty. In the wild, it grows on fallen Beech trees in Japan. It is used for stews, soups, and sauces. It is consumed in clusters or individually separated.

Cap

Cap is 4-8 cm, convex and becoming broadly convex with slightly inrolled margin. It is whitish to buff or very pale tan. When fresh and young, it is tessulated with watery spots.

Gills

Gills are close, attached to the stem. Short gills are whitish, frequent and not bruising.

Stem

Stem is equal or slightly club-shaped; bald or very finely silky; 3–8 cm long, 1–2 cm thick and whitish to very pale tan.

Flesh

Flesh is white and white and unchanged when sliced.

Odor and taste

Odor is slightly mealy or distinctive and taste is not distinctive.

Facts about Beech Mushroom

Health Benefits of Beech Mushroom

1. Rich in Nutrients

Beech Mushroom has a high content of nutrients mainly to polysaccharides as active compounds. Other nutrients such as fiber, protein and low-fat content which is beneficial for those having non-communicable diseases. It contains potassium, phosphorus followed by zinc, magnesium, and copper. It is a rich in ergosterol steroids, riboflavin, provitamin D2, biotin and niacin.

2. Low in cholesterol

Beech mushroom has dietary fiber which promotes fecal excretion of bile acids and reduces insulin response. It lowers serum total cholesterol concentrations but also atherosclerotic lesion formation.

3. Prevents parasitic infection

Beech mushrooms have protease enzymes which has a nematicidal effect on Panagrellus redivivus and bovine infective larvae which affect animals, plants, and humans and protect them from parasitic diseases.

4. Prevents cancer

Beech Mushroom is rich in glycoprotein (HM-3A), beta-(1-3)-glucan, armor in, hypsizipreno and hyping which inhibits the proliferation of various cancer cells such as leukemia, breast, hepatoma, sarcoma, lung carcinoma cells. It is a good source of anticancer agents.

5. Antifungal properties

Hypsin possess antifungal activity against pathogenic fungi such as Physalospora piricola, Mycospharella arachidicola, Fusarium oxysporum and Botrytis cinerea.

6. Treats Hypertension

Beech Mushroom consists of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor which is an oligopeptide that lowers blood pressure and reduces the chances of stroke in persons with hypertension.

7. Lowers inflammation

Beech Mushroom has high content of phenolic compounds, polysaccharides, and flavonoids. It inhibits inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress and prevents lung failure.

8. Prevents bacteria

Beech Mushroom is rich in phenolic and flavonoid content which is beneficial for preventing bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus.

9. Rich in antioxidants

Beech Mushroom has flavonoids, steroids, phenol and ascorbic acid which are biologically active components that prevents oxidative stress-mediated disease through radical scavenging activity.

10. Diabetes and weight management

Hypsiziprenol, polysaccharides, hyping and dietary polyphenols found in Beech mushroom helps to lower fat depositions without affecting body weight loss by activating obesity-related gene which is associated with oxidation and lipolysis. Moreover, its intake helps to reduce the fasting plasma insulin and plasma glucose, increase antioxidant contents and modulate glycemic index and regulate both insulin resistance and obesity.

Culinary uses

• Add it to stir-fried foods including seafood and wild game.
• Use it in stews, soups, and sauces.
• It could be slow-roasted on low temperatures with a small amount of butter or cooking oil.
• Saute mushrooms in olive oil seasoning with soy, green onions, ginger, or stock.
• It pairs well with red bell peppers and citrus fruits.

Storage

It could be stored in a refrigerator for 10 days.

 

References

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