Hericium erinaceus - what is it and what is its benefit?

This representative of the forest kingdom has received so many names: “monkey head”, “air fish”, “hedgehog”, “mushroom noodles or vermicelli”, “Pom Pom”, “satyr beard”, shishigashira, etc. Hericium comb looks really bizarre - like a snow cloud, without the legs and cap that ordinary mushrooms have.

Find out everything about the unusual fruiting body: what it is, where and how to find it, what diseases can be treated with its help. Find out how to use and prepare delicious dishes from yamabushitake (that's what the Japanese call it), interesting facts, videos and photos.

Description

Comb blackberry, or as it is also called - mushroom noodle, lion's mane, belongs to the genus Hericium. This is the Gesneriaceae family, order Russula. Despite its sometimes frightening appearance, this mushroom is quite large, edible, but at the same time also little-known.

In some nations it is called “grandfather with a beard”, in others “pon-pon mushroom” and so on.

People have long used it for the manufacture of medicines, unconventional recipes, and so on.

The mushroom has earned particular popularity in China, where it is called “monkey head.” The mushroom is widely used to treat various diseases, ranging from oncology to stomach ulcers.

Hericium
erinaceus -
from Latin.

What features of the Hedgehog are worth highlighting?

Its fruiting body has a pear-shaped irregular shape. Much less often - rounded. The body itself is slightly compressed on the sides, and the weight of the mushroom can vary from 50 g to 1 kg.

The width of an adult specimen can reach up to 25 cm. The color can also be different, directly depending on the age and growing conditions.

Often varies from white to cream shades. Brown and yellow colors are less common.

A distinctive feature of this species is the hymenophore. This means that the entire fruiting body of the mushroom is covered with needles - soft growths that hang down. Their length can reach up to 5 cm.

Photo - Giff Beaton

Often hymenophores are berries, such as blackberries. However, in our case, the mushroom also has such properties.

As for the pulp, it is quite dense and meaty, so the mushroom is actively used in cooking. The pulp itself is white when cut, and even when exposed to air does not change its color. When dry it turns a little yellow.

The mushroom tastes like shrimp or other seafood.

The mushroom produces white spores.

Where is it found?

Comb blackberry is not easy to find in the wild. It belongs to the type of saprotrophic fungi, which means it mainly grows on the trunks of deciduous trees. The most preferred for growth are beech, birch, and oak.

It settles on both living and dead trees, prudently choosing places with deformed or damaged bark. Also, it can be found in places where there are cuts or broken branches.

The mushroom loves a humid and warm climate, so it is found only in Khabarovsk, Amur and Primorsky Territories. Less commonly found in Crimea.

This mushroom grows in abundance in China and the Caucasus.

In the European or central part of Russia it is a great success to meet such a representative of the flora.

This mushroom is not a group mushroom, it grows alone. However, it is very rare to find groups that focus on one tree.

But, as a rule, if you find a mushroom on one of the trees, know that within a radius of 20-30 m you will find at least 5-10 more exactly the same. It is enough to raise your head higher.

Article on the topic - Enoki mushrooms: description and how to cook correctly so as not to lose value.

Edibility

Lion's mane is quite high in calories, in comparison with the same russula, to which it belongs. Per 100 g you will consume approximately 30 kilocalories.

The most high-calorie mushroom is considered to be one that is more than one and a half months old.

Also, per 100 g the composition contains about 1.5 g of carbohydrates and 2 g of fat.

Not the entire mushroom is edible, but only its cap.

Some may taste bitter, this is a consequence of the fact that you picked the blackberries while they were still young.

If we talk about edibility, then the mushroom can be used in food. In European countries, lion's mane is considered a delicacy and can be found on supermarket shelves for a fairly high price.

This mushroom is incredibly popular in Italy, France and Spain.

It is also loved in Mexico and Canada.

In Asian countries, namely Japan and China, lion's mane is used as a medicine, along with the famous shiitake. Local cuisine is prepared here from mushroom noodles, which, according to traditional healers and chefs, can prolong life and also improve immunity.

After proper processing, the lion's head has good taste. The pulp has a nutty aroma and excellent taste. In some countries where it is not customary to add mushroom noodles to a dish, it is customary to use it dry as a seasoning.

It is a regular component of traditional Japanese cuisine.

And in French cuisine, the mushroom is used as a delicacy.

Blackberries do not appear in Russian traditional cuisine.

Largely because other mushrooms mostly grow here, so there are no good recipes for preparations.

The combed hedgehog is the most indispensable mushroom for health

The most indispensable mushroom for health is the combed hedgehog.

Tablets with chicory and barnacle

Name of the drug: tableted chicory and combed hedgehog.

List of ingredients: sugar alcohol isomalt, chicory extract, blackberry extract, food additives (microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, flavor essence).

The unusual shape of the mushroom has given it many alternative names: bearded tooth, hog's head, old man's beard, grandfather's beard, white hedgehog, bear's head, lion's mane (English), monkey's head (Chinese), pom-pom (French), jellyfish mushroom (Japanese). Among the mushroom pickers of the Far East, the mushroom is better known as “mushroom noodles” or “mushroom noodles.” In addition to high culinary qualities, comb blackberry also has unique medicinal properties.

The combed hedgehog has a beneficial effect on internal organs and helps digestion. It has such actions as strengthens the stomach, promotes digestion, replenishes emptiness, prevents the likelihood of developing cancer, and tones the kidneys. Cures frequent loose stools caused by loss of appetite, duodenal ulcers, neurasthenia, esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, dizziness, male impotence and other diseases. Elderly and infirm people who consume combed manger, it nourishes the body and improves health.

Similar species

Blackberries can also be confused with other subspecies.

Motley

Variegated blackberry is also affectionately called hawk or hen. It earned this name due to its bright and variegated colors that appear on the cap. The mushroom cap is covered with large scales that resemble the plumage of a bright bird.

The cap itself is velvety to the touch, and reaches 20 cm in diameter. From a distance it may seem that this bird has hidden its head under its wing. The color of the cap varies from dark brown coffee shades to light gray. The color changes depending on the growing conditions and age of the mushroom.

The stem becomes hollow inside with age, so it is not uncommon for the cap to simply fall off the stem.

White and yellow

Yellow and white blackberries are species that are very similar to combed blackberries, but have slightly different shades of cap color.

However, white and yellow blackberries, due to growing in not the most suitable conditions, can visually exactly repeat their predecessor. The main difference is in the taste. The white one is more delicate, while the yellow one is salty.

Visually, upon careful examination, mushrooms can be distinguished. For example, the white and yellow representatives have a velvety cap, and the edges are rolled down, like umbrellas.

And if you are unlucky and you pick an adult mushroom, then when cooked it will be very bitter.

Coraloid

The coral blackberry is very similar to its comb representative. It looks very exotic, from a distance it can resemble a large fluffy bird.

Reminiscent of a bright white coral bush. Throughout its entire volume it is covered with spines, the length of which is about 2 cm.

However, scientists claim that the mushroom does not grow in the form of a bush. This is a cap that is divided into tiny thin spines.

This fibrous pulp has a very pleasant nutty smell and taste.

It grows only in southern climate zones where there is high humidity.

Beneficial features

The mushroom has been studied for a long time, and as a result, scientists have come to the conclusion about the beneficial properties it has.

Medicinal properties

1. The mushroom may actually fight Alzheimer's disease.
2. It is also an excellent anthelmintic agent.
3. Helps lower blood cholesterol levels.
4. May inhibit the growth of cancer cells when consumed regularly. Is an immunomodulator.
5. Fights sarcoma, stomach cancer.
6. Negatively affects the development of staphylococcus.
7. Prevents the formation of stomach and duodenal ulcers.
8. It has a hypotensive effect and can protect the gastric mucosa from acidic gastric juice.

Evaluation of taste qualities, medicinal properties, benefits and contraindications

Japanese and Chinese chefs highly value yamabushitake, quite reasonably believing that its taste is very similar to chicken and seafood. 32 aromatic substances were found in these fruiting bodies, which significantly exceeds the similar properties of shiitake. The mushroom can be dried, pickled, fried, stored for the winter, and used for medicinal purposes.

Nutritional value of hericium:

• potassium - by 254 mg/100 g of raw material;
• phosphates - (109 mg/100 g s/v);
• sodium - (8.04 mg/100 g);
• calcium - (6.70 mg/100 g).
• 19 free amino acids (except methionine and tryptophan), i.e. the vast majority of essential amino acids. Their concentration is 15.9% - this is a very high figure.

The medicinal properties of hedgehog are difficult to overestimate. It is actively used in Chinese medicine to heal many diseases. Local healers consider yamabushitake almost a panacea for all ailments, which can cure even such complex ailments as oncology, Alzheimer's disease, etc. For young people, blackberry-based remedies help activate memory and attention span.

The most famous medicinal properties:

• improving the functioning of the respiratory system;
• fight against depression and increased excitability;
• positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract (polysaccharides neutralize the effect of stomach acid), gall bladder;
• normalization of emotional state;
• relief of symptoms of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases;
• lowering cholesterol levels;
• use for uterine bleeding;
• strengthening the immune system;
• normalization of metabolic processes;
• prevention of malignant tumors.

Dried mushroom powder is usually used to prepare medicinal preparations. Liquid forms - extracts, extracts from blackberry are used in the production of means to combat fungal, viral and bacterial infections. Pharmacologists use it to make ointments for skin diseases. The medicine is also available in capsules.

Lion's mane is generally considered safe and does not cause side effects due to use. In any case, you should consult your doctor before using yamabushitake-based products.

Contraindications

Of course, you need to try this mushroom with caution. The fact is that in the latitudes of central Russia it is practically impossible to find. Therefore, even if you are lucky enough to find this mushroom, do not rush to use it as food. There is a high chance that you may be poisoned.

But you can purchase the mushroom in the places where it grows, or in supermarkets, packaged in special containers and properly processed. True, the following groups of people should refuse its consumption.

1. Pregnant women.
2. Nursing mothers.
3. People suffering from pancreatitis.
4. Suffering from diabetes.
5. Those who are obese, since the mushroom may well increase body weight with frequent use.

Distribution and collection

Unfortunately, the combed hedgehog is a very rare mushroom, listed in the Red Book. The distribution area in Russia includes the Caucasus, the Crimean Peninsula, Khabarovsk Territory and Primorye. The fungus is very demanding of humidity and temperature; it prefers a warm and saturated humid climate. It usually grows on dead wood or woody substrate of deciduous trees. Most often found with single specimens.

The fruiting period depends on the place of growth; the hedgehog grows in the warmest and most humid time.

Growing at home

You can grow mushroom noodles in your own garden plot or even at home. True, for these purposes you definitely need to buy a special substrate. Most of it consists of sawdust from trees, as well as a large number of herbal additives. Look at the composition. It should contain 80% sawdust from any tree, preferably beech or oak, and 20% cornmeal.

You will need to purchase old sterile mushroom mycelium. It is advisable that it be grown in laboratory conditions.

If you don’t find it on sale, you can always order it on specialized websites.

1. So, the substrate prepared in advance needs to be poured with boiling water. You need to pour it thoroughly. Wait for it to cool down. Such heat treatment is a necessary measure in order to disinfect the substrate.
2. Next, squeeze out the sawdust well with your hands and then mix it with the mycelium. Approximately one package of mycelium will require about 40 kg of adversary.
3. The entire mass must be placed in plastic bags. They are well pressed and tied.
4. Several cuts are made on the surface of the cellophane to allow air exchange.

Place the bags in a shady part of the street. If possible, hang the polyethylene above the ground.

For the first 3-4 weeks, try to protect your pleasures from direct sunlight. And after 2 weeks, the first rudiments of future fruiting bodies should appear. Here you can already add diffused lighting.

The fruiting period itself comes in waves. It is believed that the first time you will get practically no harvest, but from the second time there will be a good increase.

Preparation

There are no popular common recipes with lion's mane in Russian cuisine. Therefore, let's borrow interesting recipes from other cultures.

Preliminary processing

This mushroom, like many others, needs pre-treatment. It is carried out using the thermal method.

1. To do this, place a pan of water and bring to a boil.
2. Remove from the mushroom all hanging elements that have become deformed, rotted, or have an unnatural color.
3. Next, place the mushroom or mushrooms in boiling water. Leave to simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Then, use a slotted spoon to remove the mushrooms and let them cool. They are ready for further use.

Cooking

If you want to cook a mushroom and add it to any dish, then the cooking process should not be interrupted. It should take at least 15-20 minutes depending on the size of the mushroom.

You can also cook chicken fillet with it to get a delicious, aromatic broth.

Subsequently, the chicken fillet can be chopped, add chopped potatoes, carrots and onions. The result is a very tasty mushroom soup, which should be seasoned with sour cream and green onions when serving.

Let's marinate

This mushroom can be pickled for the winter.

To do this you will need:

• approximately 1 kg blackberries.
• garlic 3 cloves.
• 2 tablespoons salt.
• four tablespoons of vinegar.
• a tablespoon of sugar.
• bay leaf, pepper, cloves.

Blackberries must first be prepared by boiling. Then, after cooling, you need to cut it into small pieces.

The blackberries are placed at the bottom of the jar. Pepper, cloves, and bay leaves are also placed there. In a separate vessel, mix salt, vinegar, sugar, and garlic. All this is mixed well, and the mushrooms are poured. If necessary, add water so that there is enough to cover all the mushrooms in the jar. The jars are rolled up with a lid and placed in a cool, dark place. You can eat them after a few weeks.

Freezing

If you do not yet plan to use mushroom noodles for food, but would like to see them fresh in the future, then the most effective method is freezing. Cut the mushrooms into small pieces. Spread evenly on a tray and place in the freezer. Once the pieces are frozen, collect them in a special container or freezer bag. Place in the refrigerator. However, remember that you can store mushrooms in this form for no more than six months.

Let's fry

It is believed that the most delicious serving of such a mushroom is frying it.

Cut the mushroom into small individual pieces. Heat oil in a frying pan.

Cut the onion into half rings and throw into the frying pan. Fry it well, then add the mushrooms. Fry everything together until the onion turns golden. Remove everything from the heat. Press the garlic through a garlic press. Mix everything very well. Ready mushrooms can be served with potatoes, as well as other types of side dishes. They will be a good addition to oven-baked meat.

Salting

Before the pickling process, it is recommended to soak the mushrooms in cold water. You need to lie in a container completely covered with cold water for 6 to 12 hours. After this, the water is replaced, the mushrooms are placed in a pan and boiled.

Next you need to choose the type of salting. It comes hot and cold.

If you choose the cold method, then the mushrooms should be boiled for 15 minutes. Then the water needs to be drained, the mushrooms are washed well under plain water at room temperature and cooled.

Brine is prepared separately for them. To do this, you need to take about 80 g of salt per 1 kg of mushrooms. Then, add cloves, pepper and bay leaf. Add everything to the water and bring to a boil. Then, cool.

The mushrooms are placed in a jar and then filled with brine. Additionally, you can add dill leaves, garlic, and currant leaves.

If you choose the hot method, then the mushrooms need to be washed well and then cut into small plate-like pieces.

Then cook over low heat for about 2 hours.

After this, the water must be drained and the mushrooms rinsed well.

Separately prepare the brine according to the above recipe.

Then, the mushrooms are distributed into jars and filled with liquid. It would be ideal if you also add dill seeds.

Fried bearded mushroom

The fastest way to cook comb mushroom is by frying. The recipe for fried mushrooms is convenient because it requires a minimum set of ingredients and only half an hour of time. We recommend reading about growing comb blackberry at home

To fry a bearded mushroom you will need:

• ✨boiled mushrooms – 1.0-1.2 kg;
• ✨vegetable oil – 60 ml;
• ✨ butter – 60 ml;
• ✨salt;
• ✨pepper.

The cooking process consists of several stages:

• ✅Cut the mushrooms into pieces.
• ✅Pour vegetable oil into a frying pan and add butter.
• ✅Heat the oil and put mushrooms in it.
• ✅Fry mushrooms over high heat for 10-12 minutes.
• ✅Switch the heat to medium and fry for another 20 minutes. During the entire process, the mushrooms need to be mixed 3-4 times.
• ✅5 minutes before the end of frying, salt the dish and add pepper to taste.

⚠️Fried bearded mushroom can be not only an independent dish. It can be used for fillings in pies and pies, and added to salads. On fasting days or for a vegetarian menu, you should fry mushrooms only in vegetable oil, without adding butter.