WHY do we have to cook most mushrooms?

Question

Not so much botany as mycology, but I'll give it a whirl. My biology prof and I were having this discussion, and we couldn't think of a reason. The only (edible) mushroom that we know of that can be eaten raw is the white button mushroom--the one most commonly found in grocery stores. Any other (edible) mushroom eaten raw causes gastrointestinal distress. We're wondering what in other species of mushrooms causes the distress that is neutralized in the cooking process. As an aside, any chefs willing to divulge what causes a mushroom's texture to change due to heat? That may also have something to do with the digestability.

Note: The only mushroom that can be eaten raw without causing distress is the white button mushroom--the mushrooms that are seen raw in spinach salads, for example.

Answer 1

I don't think the statement is true. There are many mushrooms that can be eaten raw other than Agaricus. I have had Chanterelles, Boletus, etc raw. There are some mushrooms (certain species of Russula, and "false morels" (Helvella) that lose their toxicity when cooked. They are not highly toxic, but will make you sick if eaten raw.

The mushrooms lose their toxicity because the toxic compounds are either modified by heat or dissolve in hot water.

Answer 2

"There are old mushroom hunters and bold mushroom hunters. But there are no old, bold mushroom hunters."
FACT: There are no non-scientific tests or rules that can accurately determine the safety or toxicity of a mushroom. Using the following "rules" could prove to be a deadly mistake! FICTION: A mushroom is considered poisonous if:
The mushroom stains when bruised
The mushroom secretes a milky sap
The mushroom turns garlic blue or black when cooked together
The mushroom turns a silver coin black when rubbed against it
The mushroom tarnishes a silver spoon when cooked with it
The mushroom has scales, warts or other types of rough surfaces
FICTION: A mushroom is considered safe if:
The mushroom grows on wood
Slugs or other insects eat the mushroom
Squirrels, rabbits, or other wildlife eat the mushroom
The mushroom is dried, boiled, salted or pickled in vinegar
The mushroom does not have a ring or skirt on the stalk
The mushroom is pure white in color FACTS:
Some people can eat mushrooms with no problems, while other people eating the same mushroom will experience severe vomiting and diarrhea.
Some people can have allergic reactions to eating "safe" mushrooms.
Some mushrooms are only poisonous if eaten in large quantities.
Some mushrooms are poisonous when raw but become harmless when parboiled and thoroughly cooked.
Some mushrooms are poisonous regardless of how they are cooked or prepared.
Some mushrooms are poisonous only if eaten with alcoholic beverages.
Some mushrooms are classified as poisonous because they are hallucinogenic. Hope this answers your question hun happy mushroom hunting or eating!!!!!!.........Flo

Answer 3

I agree with gp4arts that Agaracus bisporus is NOT the only mushroom that a human can eat raw.
I have eaten portobella, oyster mushrooms, straw mushrooms and others raw.
Most of the poisonous mushrooms cannot be eaten even when you DO cook them. Which is why it is recommended that a novice not collect and eat whild mushrooms, because heating them will NOT denature the protein toxins

Answer 4

Mushrooms are fine. One of my dogs had lost her appetite once and was very sick, nearly died yet she would eat the mushroom kish that helped her pull through while we treated her on herbal remedies. If we had taken her to the vets she would have died for sure. Everything natural, dogs love what we eat too and is better for them than dog foods and meat all the time. Eggs are very good for their coat.... no you are ok just enjoy cooking for two as dogs love to eat what you eat and when you eat after all they part the family so treat them to the foods the family eat within reason and you will have a dog live a lot longer life with you.

Answer 5

I know the moral mushroom has a deadly impostor.
If the stem is hallow it's good, but if the stem is solid it can be fatal. I know a couple who went shroom hunting and ate them without cooking them and the female died almost twenty minutes after ingesting them. And the guy is still in a coma.that happened almost two years ago.

Answer 6

I never knew this. I bought Portobello mushrooms and those regular ones from the store and my son eats them raw. I have also cooked both of them and he eats them that way too but they stink really bad and make me gag when they cook. Now I am concerned.

Answer 7

mushrooms cause fungal infections and, thus, damage to the intestines if eaten raw (in most cases)...it is fungus so it digests outside of itself...which means it would digest your nutrients inside your body if you ate it raw...so that would not be too good lol

Answer 8

Who says you have to cook them? They are eaten raw in spinach salads.. They are just more versatile cooked.

Answer 9

The heat kills the bacteria so you don't die.

Answer 10

pecause their poisonous.