How to maximize the umami in mushrooms
Whether you sizzle, sweat, wet-fry or oven-cook, enhancing the savoury flavor of your mushrooms will depend on the variety, says our panel of fun guys
TL;DR
- Cooking mushrooms requires heat, fat, and salt to draw out moisture and concentrate flavor.
- Seasoning mushrooms early, before cooking, helps draw out moisture and enhance flavor.
- Chestnut, shiitake, or blue/grey oyster mushrooms are ideal for sautéing due to lower water content.
- Dried mushroom powders like shiitake or porcini can boost the umami of milder mushrooms.
- Roasting mushrooms at high heat with salt and oil, using varieties like chestnut, enhances their nutty flavor.