Mushrooms

Did you know that Button, Cup and Flat mushrooms are all the same variety, just at different stages of development?

Cairns Mushrooms specialises in the production of White Mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) and supplies them in their Button, Cup and Flat form.

Buttons

Button mushrooms are classified as being fully closed mushrooms of any size. Sometimes called champignons, Button Mushrooms have a delicate flavour and can be eaten raw (in salads), or cooked and added to any BBQ or pasta and stir-fry dish.

Cups

Cup Mushrooms come in any size: they are classified as a ‘Cup’ when the ‘veil’, or mushroom underside, breaks away from the stem and has up to 50% gill show. Cups are richer in colour and taste than Buttons and are wonderful grilled on their own, or added to sauces, pastas, soups, stir-frys and casseroles.

Flats

Flat Mushrooms have a 50% or greater gill show: they come in any size. These are the most mature and intensely flavoured mushrooms: they have a dense, meaty texture and their gills are darker than the Cups and Buttons. Flats can be used as a replacement for meat or bread in many dishes, or eaten on their own. Why not try pan-frying a flat mushroom topped with bacon, eggs, tomato and onion or herbs for breakfast; it’s fantastic!

As well as being versatile, White Mushrooms are also very nutritious: click here for more information. For your convenience, we have also included some tips on choosing, caring and preparing your mushrooms: please see below.

Choosing good mushrooms

When buying Buttons, Cups or Flats, look for dry, firm, wrinkle-free skin. Healthy mushrooms should not have any wet, slimy spots. Fresh mushrooms should feel heavy for their size.

Caring for your mushrooms

To ensure your mushrooms stay fresh for longer, they should be stored in a brown paper bag on the bottom shelf of your fridge.

Preparing your mushrooms

Prior to cooking your mushrooms, we suggest wiping them over with a clean, damp paper towel, or give them a brush with a pastry brush to remove any visible dirt and trim any dry ends off. Your mushrooms are now ready to eat.