A Closer Look at The Lion’s Mane mushroom
Lion's mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) is renowned for its unique appearance, taste, and health benefit. It’s also gaining a lot of attention in the world of health right now. It’s been a longtime favorite mushroom here on the farm; we love to watch it grow into it’s giant fluffy shape and also enjoy foraging for it in the fall - it’s like finding little treasures high up in the trees!
Taste & Flavor Profile:
Many people describe the lion's mane mushroom taste as subtle and delicate, with a hint of sweetness and umami. When cooked, it softens up and becomes tender, with a meaty texture similar to scallops or crab. It is a very versatile mushroom that takes on the taste of the sauces and seasonings it's cooked with.
Cooking with Lion’s Mane
There are SO many creative ways you can cook and use fresh lion’s mane (you can find our lion’s mane “lobster” mac & cheese recipe here.) - lots of vegetarian & vegan folk like to use it as a meat or seafood substitute. We like to recommend lightly “pulling” or shredding your lion’s mane by hand rather than chopping it since it has a texture that lends well to pulling apart into small clumps and minimizes the risk of bruising (see image below). If you’re not sure where to get started, a simple sauté with butter, salt, and garlic over low heat until the mushroom begins to tenderize is a good place to start!
Other fun recipe ideas:
-Lion’s mane “crab” cakes
-Mushroom risotto with lion’s mane (this is a fun one to add in other specialty mushrooms too!)
-Roasted lion’s mane soup
-Shredded lion’s mane “pork” sandwich
“Pulled” or shredded lion’s mane ready to cook!
Lion’s Mane & Your health:
In addition to being a fun culinary food, lion’s mane has been looked to as a powerful medicinal mushroom. We like to take it daily in both tincture and dried/powdered form to receive the many benefits it offers.
Neuroprotective Properties: The mushroom is being studied widely for its potential to support nerve health, nerve repair, and protect against cognitive decline.
Cognitive Function and Stress Reduction: In this linked study, participants who consumed 1.8 grams of lion's mane daily for 28 days showed improved performance on cognitive tasks and a trend toward reduced subjective stress!
Immune System Boost: Lion's mane contains antioxidants and beta-glucans, which may strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation
Digestive Health: The mushroom's prebiotic properties support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, promoting digestive well-being
Kalvin with a freshly harvested, monster lion’s mane in the grow room!
Lion’s Mane in Your Daily Diet:
If you’re interested in incorporating lion’s mane into a regular part of your daily rhythm (and you’ve checked with any healthcare providers to be sure it’s right for you!), here are five creative ways to use lion's mane powder:
Morning Smoothies: Blend 1-2 teaspoons of lion's mane powder into your favorite morning smoothie recipe to jump start your day!
Coffee or Tea Enhancer: Stir lion's mane powder into your morning coffee or tea. Our favorite way to use it is to use a milk frother to whisk it in really well and make it into either a coffee-based latte or a matcha green tea latte!
Baked Goods: Add 1 - 2 Tablespoons of lion's mane powder to baked goods such as muffins, pancakes, or bread. Incorporating the powder into your existing baked good recipes can be a delicious and subtle way to enjoy its benefits.
Soups and Stews: Sprinkle lion's mane powder into soups, stews, or broths. Its mild flavor integrates seamlessly, providing an extra nutritional boost to your savory dishes.
Energy Bites: Combine lion's mane powder with dates, nuts, dried fruits, and seeds to create no-bake energy bites. These make for convenient, healthy snacks!
We hope you’ll consider giving lion’s mane a try or share it with a friend if you’ve already fallen in love with this tasty, healthy mushroom! Lion’s mane is considered one of our core, “staple” mushrooms that we grow and sell year-round. So if you’re ready to give some a try, you can find it with us at the Rochester Farmer’s Market, try your hand at growing your own with one of our lion’s mane grow kits, or check out our dried & powdered lion’s mane.
Cheers to your health!
