The large Silver Dollar mushroom, Agaricus bisporus, is also known as Agaric cultivé, Champignon de Paris, and Cultivated Mushroom. It is a the most common mushroom that is also happens to be the same species as Crimini mushrooms, baby Portobella, baby bella, mini bella, Button mushrooms, Brown mushrooms and the Portabella mushroom. It was given its nickname, silver dollar because it is equivalent in width to a silver dollar.

A White Silver Dollar mushroom is essentially an oversized White mushroom. Its smooth rounded cap protrudes over its stout stem. Depending on when they are harvested they are either stark white in color or slighty brown blushed. Their flavor is mild when raw, becoming more fragrant and meaty when cooked.

Nutritional Value

Mushrooms are 90% water and virtually calorie free. They are also rich in potassium, selenium, protein, and cancer preventing antioxidants.

Serving Ideas

Large White Dollar mushrooms are ideal for stuffing, grilling or roasting whole. Pair with seafood, cheeses, meats, tomato-based sauces, wines and fresh herbs. Use in soups, stews and casseroles or pair with other vegetables as a side. Mushrooms require no peeling, but may be rinsed quickly and patted dry. Never soak in water. To store, refrigerate in a paper bag. Do not keep mushrooms in plastic as they will deteriorate quickly. Best used promptly.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

Used medicinally by many cultures, Hippocrates prescribed mushrooms for healing. Some of their possible healing abilities are folklore, but recent medical studies have been recognizing that do have genuine healing benefits. Mushrooms have been claimed to be an aphrodisiac for many centuries. No medical studies, however, have confirmed this belief.

Geography/History

The first documented cultivation of Agricus bisporus was made by French botanist Joseph Pitton de Tournefort in 1707. Production of White mushrooms in the United States began at the turn of the 20th century in Pennsylvania where mushrooms were grown in abandoned coal mines. Modern commercial production of White mushrooms is an intricate process that starts with careful preparation of nutritionally rich compost material, seeding the compost with mushroom spores, careful monitoring the temperature and humidity of the grow houses and harvesting the mushrooms by hand. In the right growing conditions, mushrooms can double in size in just one day.

Seasons/Availability

White Dollar mushrooms are available year round.