Morchella spp. commonly-known as Common morel, yellow morel, morel, morel mushroom, true morel, sponge morel, and sponge mushroom, is an edible mushroom that belongs to the family Morchellaceae. It is found all over the Northern Hemisphere especially in North America, Europe, Central America, and Asia. This mushroom naturally grows in the forested areas around dead apple trees, elm trees, underwood scraps, Sycamore, and Ash trees. Black morels, Half-free morels, and Yellow morels are the three varieties of Morels.
Morel Mushroom Quick Facts
Name:
Morel Mushroom
Scientific Name:
Morchella spp.
Origin
It is found all over the Northern Hemisphere especially in North America, Europe, Central America and Asia.
Colors
Light tan, gray and black
Shapes
Honeycomb or sponge, Height: 3-5 inches
Flesh colors
White
Calories
20 Kcal./cup
Major nutrients
Iron (100.50%)
Copper (45.78%)
Vitamin D (22.67%)
Phosphorus (18.29%)
Manganese (16.83%)
Health benefits
Iron deficiency, Cognitive health, Treat Arthritis, Thyroid health, Bone health
MOREL MUSHROOM FACTS
Morchella is an edible mushroom that has an appearance of honeycomb in the upper portion which consists of network ridges with pits. It is hollow. The bottom portion hangs from the whitish stalk. Morels differ in size and shape. Cylindrical to cone shapes morels are the most common ones. Round morels and pencil-shaped morels are not common.
Name
Morel Mushroom
Scientific Name
Morchella spp.
Native
It is found all over the Northern Hemisphere especially in North America, Europe, Central America and Asia.
Common/English Name
Common morel, yellow morel, morel, morel mushroom, true morel, sponge morel and sponge mushroom
Name in Other Languages
West Virginia: molly moochers Kentucky: hickory chickens Finnish: huhtasieni
Plant Growth Habit
In forested areas around dead apple trees, elm trees, under wood scraps, Sycamore and Ash trees.
Morels are used in traditional Chinese medicine in order to treat excess phlegm, indigestion, shortness of breath and croup.
Precautions
One should properly identify the morel species.
Morels can be harmful when poorly cooked with an experience of neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Morels may cause food poisoning in some people.
Some Morels are toxic which may lead to death of a person.
Some people might experience allergic reactions with the consumption of Morels.
How to Eat
Morels could be prepared with wine sauces or cream and serve a side dish to meats.
It could be deep fried, sautéed and dried.
Morel mushrooms could be served as an appetizer.
Sear the morels in the oil by adding shallots, minced onion, garlic, butter and soy sauce.
Morels could be added to wine sauce, soups, stews and pasta.
Morels could be fried by dipping in the egg and rolling in the butter.
It could be fried with flour and butter.
It can be sautéed with oil and garlic.
Other Facts
Morels are rare and edible.
Morels can be dried and kept for future use.
Morel Mushroom Scientific Classification
Scientific Name: Morchella spp.
Rank
Scientific Name & (Common Name)
Kingdom
Fungi
Phylum
Ascomycota
Class
Discomycetes
Order
Pezizales
Family
Morchellaceae
Genus
Morchella
Species
Morchella esculentoides
History
Thousands of enthusiasts hunted morels for their excellent taste every spring and it is prized in the French cuisine by gourmet cooks. The commercial harvesting of wild morels took place due to the cultivation difficulties in Turkey, India, North America, China, and Pakistan which are found in great amounts.
Plant
The fruitbody has the appearance of a honeycomb or sponge which grows up to 3-5 inches high. It is a light tan, gray and black in color. The cap is rounded, subglobose – ovoid in cream, tan, gray-brown or black color measuring up to 1-4 inches (2.5-10 cm) high. It has got white flesh. The hollow stem is white and stout up to 2″ – 4″ long and ¾” – 1 5/8″ thick. It also possesses a whitish to cream stalk. The spores are smooth, elliptical, deep cream-yellowish which are located in pits. This mushroom possesses earthy, nutty, and steak flavor.
*Above mentioned Percent Daily Values (%DVs) are based on 2,000 calorie diet intake. Daily values (DVs) may be different depending upon your daily calorie needs. Mentioned values are recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They are not rxharun.com recommendations. Calculations are based on average age of 19 to 50 years and weighs 194 lbs. Source:
It possesses Vitamin D and Vitamin B like other mushrooms. They are rich in nutrients such as protein, dietary fiber, and minerals such as iron, copper, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, and potassium. It possesses an antiviral, antioxidant, immunoregulatory, and anti-tumor growth activity that helps to prevent the body from various health ailments.
Iron deficiency
The anemia is caused due to the low level of hemoglobin and red blood cells due to which low levels of oxygen reach the cells. It leads to low energy levels, poor immunity, and brain function. WHO has estimated that about half of the 1.62 billion anemia cases are caused due to the low level of iron and others are caused due to genetic factors.
Cognitive health
Iron is essential for brain function as it plays a vital role in carrying oxygen to the brain because 20 percent of oxygen is used by the brain in the body. The deficiency of iron can affect mental functions and memory as well. The child with iron deficiency may cause cognitive abnormalities and psychomotor that make them difficult for learning.
Treat Arthritis
Copper provides anti-inflammatory activities that relieve stiffness and pain that are related to arthritis. It assists muscular strength, repairs connective tissue, and lowers joint pain. There is a belief that the copper bracelets could reduce the painful symptoms of arthritis so arthritis patients wear bracelets made of copper.
Thyroid health
Potassium, zinc, calcium, and copper are essential for the proper functioning of thyroid activity and also prevent hyperthyroidism. The absence of one of these minerals can lead a person to suffer from the thyroid. It leads to weight gain or loss, fatigue, appetite, change in body temperature, etc.
Bone health
Vitamin D plays a vital role in the absorption of calcium which is essential to maintain bone health. The calcium level is maintained by the calcitriol and parathyroid hormone. Vitamin K helps to maintain the level of phosphorus in the blood. The deficiency of Vitamin D leads to the bone ailments such as rickets and osteomalacia. It also increases the risk of bone fractures, broken bones, and osteoporosis.
Enhance mood
The deficiency of Vitamin D results in the mood disorders such as seasonal depression, depression, insomnia, anxiety, and mood problems during PMS. The low presence of Vitamin D affects estrogen and testosterone production and imbalances it.
Liver ailments
The adequate consumption of zinc lowers the infection and damage to the liver. Zinc assists to clean the liver by eliminating wastes which help to reduce the free radical damage and assist the absorption of nutrients. This helps to keep the liver ailments at bay.
Cure diarrhea
The deficiency of zinc is associated with diarrheal diseases as well as digestive problems so the adequate consumption of foods rich in zinc helps to cure diarrhea and prophylaxis. It also enhances the immunity function so that it increases the ability of the body to counteract diseases.
Supports vision
The deficiency of Vitamin B2 increases the risk of eye ailments such as keratoconus, cataracts, and glaucoma. Vitamin B2 has the ability to prevent these eye disorders. Riboflavin drops are applied to treat the eye ailments such as glaucoma.
Maintains cholesterol
Vitamin B3 can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in dyslipidemia patients. It reduces LDL cholesterol levels which increase the chances of having a stroke, heart attack, and other heart diseases. Vitamin B3 increases HDL cholesterol levels and reduces triglycerides. It results to maintain a healthy heart by preventing heart ailments.
