For most people who don’t like mushrooms it’s an issue of texture. I’m talking about gourmet mushrooms, not grocery store mushrooms. Grocery store mushrooms, like the white button mushrooms or Portabella or crimini have zero flavor and the texture is about the same as rubber. However, lions mane, for incidence, tastes like lobster or crab and has the same texture. King oyster mushrooms have the texture and flavor of scallops. Chestnut mushrooms are nutty in flavor with a crunchy texture. Still, there are some who want mushroom flavor, but not mushroom texture. So, any mushrooms we don’t sell within about 18 hours are dried, powdered, bottled and sold under our private label. We have 5 varieties, oyster, golden oyster, shiitake, lions mane and chestnut. Lots of folks who don’t like mushroom texture (my wife included) love the powders because they contain copious amounts of glutamate, or glutamic acid, which stimulates umami, your 5th sense of taste, along with many of the same nutrients as fresh mushrooms. Glutamate is similar to MSG, but without the sodium, so it doesn’t upset your stomach or make your heart flutter. Mushrooms are one of the few foods which contain glutamate. The powders are a great way to get the benefits of mushrooms without the texture. Most people who use our lions mane powder are using it medicinally. Look up the health benefits of lions mane mushrooms (Hericium erinaceus). Hang onto your hat because it’s pretty mind blowing. (or maybe “restoring” is a better word)
Well, we agree on something. My mushroom experience is grocery store mushrooms and I hate the texture. Don’t mind them ground up and in a stew. I’ve never tried gourmet mushrooms, but I’ll consider it.