Enoki mushroom, flammulina velutipes, looks like a needle and hence, it has another name, called needle mushroom. Evoke mushrooms offer a delightful combination of textures. It is a very common food ingredients for plant-based cuisine.
Enoki mushroom possess a tender yet slightly firm exterior that gives way to a succulent and juicy interior. The texture is akin to a perfect balance between velvety smoothness and gentle resistance, creating a satisfying bite that’s neither too mushy nor overly tough. There are 2 major colours of enoki mushrooms in market. They are snow white and light yellow.
Before cooking, the roots of enoki mushrooms must be cut off. We must wash several times with clean water to remove impurities. Enoki mushroom can increase the possibility of plant-based dishes with different seasonings and cooking method used, resulting in a variety of taste and texture.
Whether you enjoy the enoki mushrooms as a standalone dish, or a cuisine integrated them into pasta, risottos, salads, or as a side to various cuisines, evoke mushrooms are a culinary delight that satisfies both the senses and the soul in the plant-based dining.
How to choose enoki mushrooms for plant-based cuisine
When you choose enoki mushrooms for cooking, it is highly recommended to select white or milky white enoki mushrooms for dishes. If you see the enoki mushrooms have turned yellow or you can feel sticky feeling from them, it means that the enoki mushrooms have been left overnight or have been wetted. Then, it is not suggested to purchase. Besides, it is also recommended to select the enoki mushroom with the length of no more than 16 cm. The consideration is about the freshness. If it is too long, it means that it is too old and it is not fresh enough.
How to keep evoke mushrooms fresh
Generally, fresh enoki mushrooms do not smell sour. The colour should be nearly ivory white. The texture is crisp. Even we cook them for a long time, it is not easy to boil and solve in the dishes.
Unused enoki mushrooms can be stored in a sealed bag, and stored in the refrigerator for one to two days to avoid loss of nutrients. In order to maintain the freshness of enoki mushrooms, we need to minimise the time of contact between air and the mushrooms.
