Can mushrooms be eaten raw? At first glance, many would say "no": they are a food that, if not handled properly, boiled, and cooked properly, can be harmful, even in their edible varieties. Yet, in reality, the answer is "yes": some mushrooms can be eaten raw, and the number of these species is probably greater than many people think.
Mushrooms are among the foods most recommended to be cooked, but upon closer inspection, there are some varieties that can also be eaten raw, perhaps in carpaccio or salads. In fact, some of these seem to be even tastier raw. The reason? Much of their nutritional value is lost during cooking.
Just think of the truffle, a hypogeal mushroom usually eaten in flakes and grated directly onto pasta or meat. And yes, among the species that can be eaten without necessarily cooking are the much-loved porcini mushrooms.
Mushrooms We Can Eat Raw
It goes without saying, but mushrooms are a food that requires extreme care. Even edible varieties require careful handling. And to consume them raw, you need to pay particular attention to the quality and type of mushroom.
Raw mushrooms are less digestible than cooked ones, so it's best to avoid consuming them in excessive quantities. It's also important that they're ripe and, above all, fresh. Both frozen and dried mushrooms, on the other hand, must be thoroughly cooked before eating.
That said, which varieties are best eaten raw? As mentioned, the most famous is undoubtedly the truffle (especially the white one, which is more sensitive to cooking than the black one), as are the much-loved porcini mushrooms: served with a drizzle of oil, salt, and pepper, or as the star of tasty salads. The same goes for the porcini mushroom, especially used in carpaccio and salads, preparations that enhance its delicate aroma.
If cooked, in fact, the good egg will also tend to lose its tender consistency. This special list of mushrooms that can be eaten raw also includes the button mushroom, the field mushroom and the ox tongue, the latter being particularly rich in vitamin C. Apparently, the list also includes the blackthorn, the king ox, and the green dove, especially the younger specimens.
It's important to note that these mushrooms are generally best consumed raw, purchased fresh from the supermarket or your local greengrocer, as they undergo the necessary checks. It's also important to clean the mushrooms properly, ensuring they're perfectly healthy.
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