Who doesn’t love some delicious mushroom with pizza, pasta, and salads? We all do, right? In addition to being tasty to eat, mushrooms have a very high nutritional value. And then comes coral mushroom. It is the pink-tipped coral mushroom, or the cauliflower coral that can grow up to 15 cm (6 in) in diameter and 20 cm (8 in) tall. They have a canning resemblance to some marine coral.
So, is coral mushroom edible? Yes, they are edible and have high nutritional value, including protein, potassium, copper, magnesium, and calcium. They have essential amino acids, antioxidants, and even antibacterial properties.
But be careful; not all mushrooms are edible. Here you will find more information about coral mushrooms and how to cook them. Keep on reading for more.
Is coral mushroom edible?
Yes, they are, but only the yellow, white and beige variants. You should avoid brightly colored mushrooms entirely as they can be poisonous. They should never be mistaken with mushroom coral (commonly found in Indo-pacific reefs) which are actually corals and deadly.
There’s an old saying, “all mushrooms are edible, but some are edible only once.” So, if you don’t want that mushroom to be the last meal of your life, exercise caution when choosing them.
What is a coral mushroom?
To put it bluntly, coral mushrooms are mushrooms that look like corals. Coral mushrooms, also commonly called crown tipped coral mushrooms, are called as such because of their characteristic crown-like shape at the top of their branches. Botanically named “Artomyces pyxidatus,” crown-tipped coral mushrooms are one among many different species of coral fungi. They are part of the Clavaroid fungi group.
Are mushroom corals poisonous?
No, they are not poisonous. But some of them might be such as Razor coral. The sharp walls or “septa” are also the reason behind its other common name, Razor coral. With a name like that, you can be sure it’s not food, at least not the raw version of it. If consumed raw, the result could be untimely death.
Shortly after eating it, you’d lose all involuntary motor function. After 8 to 36 hours, you’ll go into shock from pulmonary edema as your lungs are filled with fluid. So, whatever you do, don’t eat Fungiidae, they may look like mushrooms, but they are actually a type of Cnidaria (like jellyfish or sea anemone)
How is coral mushroom cooked?
Although you can eat crown-tipped coral mushrooms raw, It’s not recommended to do so as it can cause an upset stomach. The wash mushrooms thoroughly as the space between branches can contain dirt. Once they are thoroughly cleaned, they are ready to be cooked.
Ingredients
1. One-half pound of coral mushroom
2. Salt and fresh ground pepper
3. One-half cup of oil
4. Chive blossoms
5. Flour and two large eggs
Instructions
1. Cut the coral mushroom into small pieces
2. Clean the pieces with a brush
3. Dust the mushrooms in flour, dip in the eggs, then flour once more
4. Heat a pan with cooking oil and sprinkle some flour in it. If the flour sizzles, turn the heat to low and add coral mushrooms. Fry the mushrooms for 3-4 minutes on each side until they turn golden
5. Remove excess oil from the mushrooms with a paper towel. Serve immediately with chive aioli and a sprinkle of salt
Now you have a great appetizer, best served alongside fish or seafood as a play on coral in an undersea theme. Coral mushroom is also used as finishing in soups, stews, and stir-fries.
How can you tell if a mushroom is edible?
There are many easy ways to identify edible mushrooms. Here is a list of things to look out for.
- For starters, look for mushrooms with brown gill.
- Never pick mushrooms with white gills.
- Carefully check the cap and stem of the mushrooms.
- If they are white, brown, or tan, they are edible.
- Avoid mushrooms with scales on top. Edible mushrooms must have a smooth top without scales.
- Your mushrooms must not have rings around the stem. Rings around the stem indicated that mushroom is most likely poisonous.
- Avoid mushrooms with bright red in them. The red color is a warning that they are poison to you and anything that eats them.
A great way to ensure safety is to carry two baskets instead of one when you are out collecting mushrooms. One basket for the ones you are confident is edible. Another basket for the ones you aren’t too sure about.
If you see yellow or golden-colored mushrooms that have wavy upturned edges, you can collect them without worry. These are Chanterelles mushrooms which are safe to eat.
Can you get sick from touching a poisonous mushroom?
One of the many misconceptions about mushrooms is that you can be affected by their toxicity by a simple touch.
No, you can never get sick from touching a mushroom. Granted, some mushrooms are poisonous, but as toxic they are, they have to be ingested to cause any damage. Mushrooms toxins are harmless to touch.
Just keep in mind to wash your hands after handling a wild mushroom and avoid touching your nose or mouth.
What should not be eaten with mushrooms?
Rice, ham, and sausage are among the foods that should not be consumed with mushrooms.
These foods should not be consumed with mushrooms because they alter the body’s ability to absorb and digest the mushroom.
Furthermore, these meals are known to interfere with mushrooms’ plentiful nutritional benefits.
Don’t eat rice with mushrooms because this combination has little or no nutritional value.
Never eat ham with mushrooms as your body can’t digest them together. Ingesting mushrooms with alcohol can make you sick. Mushrooms have a chemical called Coprine. Combined with alcohol, Coprine becomes poisonous. You can have nausea, vomiting, and an upset stomach if you eat these two together.
You can have milk with mushrooms, though. This combination will cause no problems in your digestive tract.
Final Thoughts
Whether it’s combined with pasta, spaghetti, or pizza, mushrooms make a delicious and nutritious addition to your meal. But care should be taken to include only safe, edible mushrooms.
To recap, crown-tipped coral mushrooms are only edible when they are colored yellow, white, or beige. Do not use brightly colored coral mushrooms for food as they are likely to end your life instead of your hunger.
So, is coral mushroom edible? Here, you have got the answer you asked for. Moreover, you have learned how to cook a coral mushroom and how to tell if a mushroom is edible. Next time you have those craving for coral mushrooms, you know what to look for and how.