Enoki Mushrooms

Enoki mushrooms (エノキダケ in Japanese) are a type of mushroom characterized by its white, long, slender stems that grow in clusters. It has a crunchy texture that becomes soft and slightly sticky when cooked. Enoki mushrooms are an essential ingredient in hot pots, and it's also versatile enough to be wrapped in bacon or meat, stir-fried, or added to soups. Enoki mushrooms simmered in soy sauce, known as “nametake,” is a popular dish in Japan often served with rice.

Enoki mushrooms are characterized by their low calorie content and high dietary fiber content. They contain a lot of vitamin B1, which is involved in metabolism, and biotin, which is tied to improving skin health. They are also rich in potassium, which helps prevent swelling and stabilizes blood pressure. Enoki mushrooms contain beta-glucan, a polysaccharide and a type of dietary fiber. Particularly, it has been attracting attention due to its possible immune-boosting effects. As a type of insoluble dietary fiber, beta-glucan also has the effect of lowering cholesterol levels and regulating the intestinal environment. Enoki mushrooms also contain GABA, which has been reported to act as a neurotransmitter and lower blood pressure.
Enoki mushrooms contain a very large amount of a component called fungal chitosan. Fungal chitosan has the function of adsorbing fat taken in the diet and ridding it as waste, as well as promoting the breakdown and burning of fat.
Enoki mushrooms have hard cell walls that make it difficult for nutrients to be absorbed, so freezing them once before cooking will increase nutrient absorption.

Since enoki mushrooms are sensitive to moisture, it's best to wipe off any excess water and wrap them in a paper towel before placing them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. They can be stored in the fridge for about a week. You can also freeze them after breaking them apart.

The enoki mushrooms commonly found in Japanese supermarkets are cultivated varieties. In the wild, enoki mushrooms are brown with large caps and look completely different.

Eating raw enoki mushrooms can cause food poisoning, leading to symptoms like vomiting and stomach pain, so it's important to cook them thoroughly.