Over the past decade King Trumpet mushrooms have become hugely popular for their enjoyable savory flavor and meaty texture. They’re often used in soups and sandwiches — and as a vegetarian substitute for seafood since they closely mimic the texture of scallops. These large mushrooms boast an impressive array of health benefits.
What Are King Trumpet Mushrooms?
The King Trumpet mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii) is the largest member of the oyster mushroom family, from which it gets another of its many names: “King Oyster mushroom.” The more common name “King Trumpet,” as well as “French horn mushroom” and “Trumpet Royale,” refers to the mushroom’s trumpet-like cap, which extends from a thick stem. King trumpet mushrooms are native to the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Middle East. As their popularity has grown in recent years, however, they are now cultivated all over the world. They are especially popular in China and Japan for their umami flavor.
Health Benefits of King Trumpet Mushrooms
King trumpet mushrooms aren’t just super delicious. They are also full of health-supporting nutrients, such as naturally occurring antioxidants. King trumpet mushrooms have especially high levels of ergothioneine, an antioxidant found in the mushroom’s mycelium and fruit bodies that helps reduce damage from free radicals and oxidative stress. L-Ergothioneine is the only antioxidant that has been found to have its own cellular transport mechanism and is regarded as a” master antioxidant”. Unlike other nutrients, L-Ergothioneine is not made by the human body and must be sourced from other sources in our diet. King Trumpet mushrooms also a good source of selenium, another essential antioxidant. Several recent studies have turned up even more impressive potential health benefits of King Trumpet mushrooms. These powerful superfoods have been shown to lower cholesterol and help with weight loss. King Trumpet mushroom extracts have also been shown to have anti-viral properties and to support bone health.
How to Add King Trumpet Mushroom to Your Diet
Whether for their amazing health properties or for their delicious taste, King Trumpet mushrooms may be easily added to your diet. You can add them to soups, salads, stir fries, pasta, omelettes and even enjoy them on sandwiches. You can toast them and toss with a creamy sauce just like scallops.
Amy Smith is a writer, educator, and health-conscious mother of five, living on a small homestead in rural Pennsylvania. She produces informative, well-researched online content for a variety of clients in the fields of natural living, health and wellness, family and parenting.
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