Produce Briefs...
Italian Black Summer Truffles
Black summer truffles are more subtle than the winter variety. Shave truffle over cooked potatoes, toss with herbs and a shallot vinaigrette. Thinly shave truffle over scrambled eggs.
White Corn
White corn is a sweet corn variety. Its ears are wrapped in tightly layered pale lime green to white husks. One ear of corn can contain up to 400 kernels growing in rows lengthwise.
Seasons/Availability
This special cultivated mushroom is available year round.
Current Facts
The Golden Enoki mushroom has several other names including enokitake, enokidake, furry foot, nametake, yuki-motase, golden needle, winter mushroom, velvet foot and velvet stem mushroom. There are actually two different kinds of Enoki mushrooms, although both are botanically classified as Flammulina velutipes. The only difference between the two mushrooms is that one grows in the wild and the other is cultivated.
Description/Taste
Cultivated Golden Enoki mushrooms have long trailing stalks with small unexpanded caps. They have a chewy to crunchy texture and fruity, piquant flavor. Cultivated Golden Enoki mushrooms are also called Golden Needles, referencing their color and shape. Because of this mushroom's delicate nature, Enokis are harvested in bouquets to protect their vulnerable structure.
Nutritional Value
The Chinese and Japanese have used the Enoki mushroom in medicine, claiming it prevents and cures certain liver diseases and stomach ulcers. An anti-cancer compound found in some of the wood-decomposing fungi has been found in the Enoki.
Applications
To use the Golden Enoki mushrooms in cooking, trim the bottom of the mushrooms off, as the mushrooms come in thick clumps. Combine fresh mushrooms with other raw vegetables or add to soups and sautees. Pair golden enoki with fresh Thai basil, coconut, somen or soba noodles, seafood, rice, soy or ginger. Overcooking will change the preferred texture of the mushroom.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Enoki mushrooms are a traditional ingredient in Japanese sukiyaki.
Geography/History
Wild Enoki mushrooms are found naturally growing on the stumps of the Enoki tree. Cultivated Enoki mushrooms are raised on a substrate of saw dust or corn cobs with a number of additional nutriton providing ingredients.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Wine Vault & Bistro | San Diego CA | 619-295-3939 |
| The Crossings | Carlsbad CA | 760-444-1800 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Golden Enoki Mushrooms. One
is easiest, three is harder.
