Ingredient Spotlight: Dried Wild and Exotic Mushrooms

'Nature alone is antique, and the oldest art a mushroom' - Thomas Carlyle

 

A Culinary Delight All Year Round

Unparalleled in rich umami and earthy savouriness, dried wild and exotic mushrooms hold great value in the culinary world. Humans have been gathering and consuming fungi for thousands of years, and there is a particular joy in spending a brisk autumn morning foraging for edible treasures.

Nowadays you need not mark your calendars to enjoy seasonal varieties of wild and exotic mushrooms. Dried mushrooms of all assortments can be enjoyed year-round, arguably offering more depth of flavour than fresh, with these cherished store cupboard ingredients lending themselves to endless usages, from soups and stews to pasta and risotto dishes, served alongside fish and meats or added to vegan patties, pies, or pastries.

Today we will look at some of our most requested dried wild and exotic cultivated mushrooms, including Porcini, Slippery Jack, Shiitake, Oyster, and our carefully crafted mixes. Our mushrooms are available in slices, pieces of various sizes (1-3mm, 2-6mm, and 6-9mm), and powder formats.

 

 

Discover the Rich and Nutty Flavour of Dried Porcini Mushrooms

Porcini mushrooms, also known as Ceps (Boletus Edulis), are highly coveted by gastronomes for their rich and nutty flavour. They are in season from midsummer until early autumn and can be recognised by their thick milky-white stalk and large brown cap. With their intense flavour, dried Porcini mushrooms are perfect for pasta dishes, risottos, or served alongside a show-stopping centrepiece such as roasted pork loin or chicken supreme. Why not try using the 1-3mm cut in:

 

Porcini mushroom ‘Chicken Kiev’ with garlic and porcini butter filling

 

 

 

Our Shake O'Cini Porcini powder 'shaker' is a well-known retail product that's beloved by home cooks for its ability to instantly enhance the umami flavour of any dish. And now, we've made it available in bulk for manufacturers, making it a popular ingredient for a wide range of food products. Use this flavour-enhancer in a party food range:

 

Fluffy choux-buns filled with porcini mushroom and tarragon pâté

 

The velvety, rich flavour of the Porcini powder is the perfect complement to the light and fluffy choux pastry, creating a canapé that's sure to impress.

To make these luxurious canapés, simply mix our Shake O'Cini Porcini powder with your favourite pâté and a touch of tarragon. Then, pipe the mixture into bite-sized choux buns and serve for a show-stopping appetiser.

 

 

Elevate Your Winter Dishes with Slippery Jack Mushrooms

Another variety of wild mushroom on offer is the lesser-known Slippery Jack variety (Boletus Luteus). Slippery Jack mushrooms present deep flavour with a lower price point to Porcini, making a great alternative when looking to name ‘wild mushroom’ in your product. These small yellow-brown mushrooms grow in piney forests and are perfect in winter/autumnal dishes such as stews, pies or dishes with game meats. Use the 2-6mm pieces to add just the right amount of texture and umami in:

 

Braised beef and wild mushroom stroganoff ravioli

 

The tangy stroganoff sauce and flaky, tender beef are the perfect canvas for the strong and earthy flavour of the Slippery Jack mushrooms. 

 

Insights: Looking to add Porcini? A 50/50 blend of Porcini and Slippery Jack mushroom powders is a great way to save cost.

 

 

The Versatility of Dried Shiitake Mushrooms

In addition to wild mushrooms, our range also includes exotic cultivated mushrooms, such as the highly popular dried Shiitake (Lentinula Edodes). Originally cultivated in China, these mushrooms are grown on mahogany logs and are renowned for their perceived medicinal qualities. With a flavour and texture similar to Porcini, Shiitake mushrooms are used in stir-fries, dumplings, broths, and curries. Try using our 1-3mm pieces in:

 

Premium duck, Thai basil and Shiitake spring rolls

 

Sweet pulled duck leg with savoury Shiitake mushrooms, peppery basil and crispy rice paper. Perfect served with sesame dipping sauce.

 

 

Shiitake mushrooms are best known for their unique honeycomb patterned umbrella caps, which turn shiny when cooked. Sauté them until they are soft and use them in:

 

Bok choi and shiitake medley with ginger and lemongrass butter

 

This mouth-watering side dish features a zingy and fresh-tasting butter that perfectly complements the crunchy and tender vegetables.

 

 

The Flavour and Texture of Dried Oyster Mushrooms

Next on our list of dried mushrooms is the Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus Ostreatus). These mushrooms grow in frilly-edged clusters, varying in size, and are easily identifiable by their grooved fan-shape. Dried Oyster mushrooms have a more delicate flavor compared to Shiitake but offer invaluable texture. The small pieces of Oyster mushrooms make a great addition to nut roasts or falafel mixes, while the slices are perfect for use in dishes such as:

 

Diced aubergine and Oyster mushroom pie with red pepper puree and filo pastry

 

The smoky flavour of the aubergine and the fleshy texture of the mushrooms create a great bite, complemented well by the crunchy filo pastry and the sweet, velvety roasted red pepper puree.

 

 

Insight: Our dried mushroom pieces make a great addition to vegan meat alternatives for texture, whilst our powders offer a great flavour boost. This includes burger patties, ‘meatballs’, ‘pork’ pies etc.

 

 

Explore Our Bespoke Mushroom Mixes

Alongside the previously mentioned dried mushroom varieties, we also offer bespoke mushroom mixes consisting of a medley of slices, pieces, or blended powders. These products are perfect for effortlessly enhancing risottos, sauces, or for use in bakery items such as quiches or pasties.

Our Forest Wild Mushroom Mix is an excellent choice, offering a symphony of woodland flavours comprising equal parts dried Porcini, Slippery Jack, and Champignon mushrooms. This blend comes in pieces of <10mm, allowing for the assorted textures to emerge and complement one another. Additionally, by incorporating cultivated champignon, this blend offers a great cost-effective option. Why not try them in a:

 

Wild mushroom and dried cranberry brown rice pouch

 

This ready-to-heat product offers a delightful blend of festive flavours that can be easily served with slow-cooked meats or incorporated into salads.

 

 

Another of our carefully selected mixes is the Wild and Exotic Mushroom Medley, available in pieces or powder consisting of equal parts dried Porcini, Champignon, Shiitake and Oyster mushrooms. This combination marries the rich flavours of Porcini and Shiitake; use the powder as a distinctive seasoning in:

 

Venison roasting joint with thyme and Wild & Exotic mushroom rye crumb

 

Potent dried mushrooms pair very well with game meats and piney herbs. For a plant-based alternative, you can also substitute with tempeh.

 

 

Please note that we have the ability to create various customised versions of the mushroom products mentioned above. Each type of mushroom can be provided in different forms, such as slices, pieces, and powders.