Enoki mushrooms may look like something from another planet, but once you try these funky-looking mushrooms, you’ll be ready for more! Enoki mushrooms or flammulina filiformis are just as healthy as they are tasty, making this popular fungus to keep on the dinner table.
The enoki mushroom benefits your health and food, adding delicious flavor and texture. Keep reading to see what these tasty mushrooms offer and some fantastic recipes for enjoying them in your meals.
What Are Enoki Mushrooms?
Enoki mushrooms are long, thin, white mushrooms with a petite cap on the top. They have a mild flavor and have a more crunchy texture than a cremini or baby bella.
These mushrooms are most commonly found in Japanese and Asian cuisines. They’re an ingredient used in stir-fries, salads, soups, and stews. These mushrooms are so tasty and easy to cook that you can add them to many entree or side dish recipes.
Enoki Mushroom Benefits
The benefits of enoki mushrooms go beyond their taste. They’re low in calories and high in the flavor, protein, and fiber they add to a diet.
Vitamins and Minerals
One of the most significant enoki mushrooms benefits is the richness of vitamins and minerals they offer. Enokis contain thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, folate, choline, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K. That’s a lot of vitamins for one tiny mushroom.
Enokis are great for lowering high cholesterol and triglyceride levels because of the niacin but also because they are low in sodium and contain no cholesterol.
Another reason why noki mushrooms are beneficial is they’re a source of amino acids. Amino acids are required to build proteins in your body but also give enokis their delicious flavor.
Immunity Boosting
The health benefits of Enoki mushrooms that have people talking is that these fungi contain FVE. FVE is an immunity-regulating protein that has been proven to trigger immune responses and has been linked to decreased cancer activity in some animals.
Because of this finding, researches believe there are anti-cancer benefits in enoki mushrooms. Today they are being studied as a potential cancer treatment in humans.
Along with these anti-cancer benefits, they also provide antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties protect and boost your body’s immunity naturally and effectively.
Antioxidant Power
These mushrooms are filled with much-needed antioxidants. Antioxidants help remove free radicals from our bodies to help prevent chronic health conditions.
Because these mushrooms have vitamins C and E, these nutrients have the fighting effect that keeps your cells safe from these free radicals while the antioxidants remove them.
Not only does this benefit your essential organs and overall health, but it does wonders for your skin and decreases overall advanced aging.
Keeps Your Heart Healthy
The anti-inflammatory properties of Enoki mushrooms benefit heart health. These mushrooms can help prevent bad cholesterol from forming dangerous blockages in your arteries.
Enokis are rich in fiber which also lowers bad cholesterol levels, further aiding in your good heart health.
Improves Brain Power
Oxidative damage is caused by free radicals found in our daily environment, such as prolonged exposure to UV rays and pollution, to name a couple. Oxidative damage to brain cells causes degenerative brain diseases that affect cognitive function and memory. This can lead to diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.
By enjoying enoki mushrooms and their antioxidants, you can help your body reduce and remove these free radicals from your system, for improved brain function and overall health.
Enokis also provide your body with polysaccharides, a good, healthy carbohydrate that regulates the activity of brain chemicals and neurotransmitters and improves memory and learning functions.
Cooking and Recipes
Now that you have learned about the major benefits of the enoki mushrooms, you’ll need to learn how to prepare them.
Because the enoki grows in clusters, you’ll want to cut the root ends off as these are not edible. Next, wash the enoki mushrooms in cold running water to remove any debris from the growing and shipping process.
Be careful when handling the mushrooms. Enokis are notoriously delicate, and you don’t want to break them into bits before cooking them.
Like all mushrooms, once enokisi are introduced to any moisture, you’ll want to use them immediately. If not, you’ll risk them rotting in your fridge.
Because of their small size, enoki mushrooms cook quickly. The longer you cook an enoki, the chewier it becomes. So when preparing these tasty mushrooms, remember to add them near the end of cooking to keep that crunch they are known for.
What do They Taste Like?
Enoki mushrooms are known for their mild, earthy, and slightly fruity taste. Enoki mushrooms don’t only benefit your body, but they also add umami to any dish you add them to.
When raw or slightly cooked, the enoki mushrooms have a bit of a crunch; the longer they are cooked, the more chewy consistency they develop.
Where to Buy Enoki Mushrooms?
If your looking for the enoki mushroom benefits, the best place to find them is at specialty Asian grocery stores or in specialty produce markets.
Finding the enoki mushrooms in local farmer’s markets or produce stands is rare because of the needy growing conditions this fungi needs.
Enoki Mushroom Recipes
Enokis are versatile ingredients and can be eaten raw, sauteed, stir-fried, or steamed. Regardless of how you choose to prepare them, you’ll be able to reap the benefits of enoki mushrooms.
Steamed Enoki Mushrooms
This garlicky goodness of a side dish is the perfect addition to any main course, especially fish and beef. Find the recipe at China Sichuan Food.
Enoki Mushroom Stir Fry
If you need a quick weeknight dish that even your kids will like that is low in carbs and packed with protein, you’ll have to make this delicious enoki stir fry. Add chicken, eggs, beef, or your favorite seafood for even more flavor! Find the recipe at A Cozy Kitchen.
Teriyaki Enoki Mushrooms
This tasty dish is perfect for a quick lunch while being filling and packed with nutrients! Find the recipe at Yummy Mummy Kitchen.
Wrapping up Enoki Mushroom Benefits
You might have to dig (pun intended!) to find another mushroom with as many health benefits as the enoki. You’ll love how versatile and delicious they are and how easy it is to add them to your favorite recipes.
Enokis strengthen your immune system, fight free radicals with antioxidants, keep your heart healthy, and boost your brain power. It’s no wonder these mushrooms have been enjoyed for so long.
Are you looking for more good-for-you fungi? Check out our mushroom page for all types of mushrooms and their unique health benefits!