The etiquette rules on how to serve and eat button white mushrooms. Tips to be the ideal host or the perfect guest.

What white button mushroom etiquette is

White button mushroom etiquette is the set of rules to properly serve and eat white button mushrooms. Such rules help avoid behaviors that may disrespect your hosts or guests, or make you look unpolite.

If you are hosting, follow the etiquette to appropriately serve white button mushrooms to your guests.

As a guest, respect the etiquette rules to properly eat white button mushrooms at the dining table and avoid offending your hosts.

What you should know about white button mushrooms

The white button mushroom is an Agaricus Bisporus mushroom in its immature and white state. Agaricus Bisporus is the most common edible mushroom in the world.

White button mushrooms are white in color with a cap between 3 and 8 centimeters (1.2 and 3 inches) in diameter. They are delicate in flavor and smooth and slightly spongy in texture.

Etiquette rules to serve and eat white button mushrooms

1) How to store white button mushrooms

It is best to eat fresh button mushrooms within a few days of the purchase.

Store button mushrooms in the fridge. Mushrooms can absorb the smell of other foods, and thus spoil their taste. It is best to keep them in a sealed container. In the fridge, button mushrooms will last between 3 and 7 days.

It is possible to freeze button mushrooms. You can freeze them raw or cooked. In the freezer, they usually last up to 10 months. However, the texture, color, and taste of frozen button mushrooms can deteriorate sensibly after a couple of months.

After cooking button mushrooms, store them in the fridge. They can last between 2 and 5 days.

2) How to clean white button mushrooms

Before washing button mushrooms, you can separate the stem from the cap or leave them whole. Do not peel them before or after washing.

To clean button mushrooms, wash them in cold running water. Gently remove any dirt. Then, soak them in water for about 10 to 20 minutes. Finally, rinse them and place them on a towel or on kitchen paper to dry.

3) How to cook white button mushrooms

Button mushrooms can be eaten raw or cooked.

Before cooking raw button mushrooms, slice them or cut them into chunks.

You can cook button mushrooms in various methods. Boil, grill, sautée, fry, or roast in the oven. They are ideal for soups and salads.

Mushrooms are among the most disliked foods. Thus, before cooking and serving button mushrooms to your guests, it is considerate to ask whether some guests avoid eating them.

4) How to serve & present white button mushrooms

Button mushrooms are a rather common ingredient. Thus, they are most appropriate for informal meals. Button mushrooms are typical in spring and fall. It is not common to serve them in warm weather or to use them in winter recipes.

You can serve button mushrooms as a side dish or complement. Serve them whole, in chunks, or in slices, warm or at room temperature. Present them in a serving shallow bowl or dish, and with a serving spoon.

5) Food and wine to pair white button mushrooms with

Button mushrooms go well with olive oil, butter, garlic, shallots, onions, rosemary, and thyme. They are great in salads and soups.

You can match button mushrooms with eggs or meats, such as beef, pork, chicken, or poultry. It is not common to pair button mushrooms with fish or seafood. The best vegetables to combine button mushrooms with are potatoes, asparagus, leeks, beans, and spinach. Avoid combining button mushrooms with more prized mushrooms, such as porcini, chanterelle, or shiitake. Due to their delicate taste, button mushrooms do not combine well with cheese and dairy.

Button mushrooms pair best with medium-bodied white wine. Such as Riesling, Gewürztraminer, an unoaked Chardonnay, or Sauvignon Blanc. You can pair them with light-bodied red wine too. Such as Chianti or Beaujolais.

6) How to eat white button mushrooms

Eat white button mushrooms with a fork and knife. When they are served in chunks or slices, avoid using the knife if possible.

Every part of the mushroom is edible. In general, it is not polite to discard button mushrooms. If you dislike them, try to make an effort and eat some of them. Discarding all the mushrooms risks embarrassing your host.

White button mushroom etiquette: the worst mistakes

Avoid the worst button mushroom etiquette mistakes. 

  • 9/10. Serving spoiled white button mushrooms.
  • 7/10. Combining white button mushrooms with prized mushrooms.
  • 4/10. Pairing white button mushrooms with too-strong flavors.

Additional information for properly serving button mushrooms

How many calories per serving?

Counting calories is important to stay healthy and plan a menu correctly.

Button mushrooms are mostly made of water. They contain about 20 calories per 100 grams (3.5 oz). One small button mushroom weighs about 8 grams and contains less than 2 calories.

How to buy the best white button mushrooms

A crucial factor in button mushroom etiquette is serving your guests the best product possible.

Season and availability 

Button mushrooms are commonly cultivated in the Northern Hemisphere during the rainy seasons. Thus, the best seasons are usually spring and autumn.

Choose the best

Good button mushrooms must be firm and look fresh. Discard mushrooms that look wet and feel slimy or sticky.

Alternatives to white button mushrooms

As a substitute for button mushrooms, try other mushrooms such as cremini or champignon.

FAQs

What is the difference between white button mushrooms and portobello? Button and portobello are two varieties of the same mushroom. A button mushroom is an immature white mushroom. Portobello is a mature brown mushroom.

Resources

  • Researchers Study Benefits of White Button Mushrooms: usda.gov