Gourmet mushroom
LION'S MANE
is first and foremost a delicious mushroom, known worldwide and recognized as the meatiest mushroom, containing the most protein. It is often used as the most natural alternative to steak. The natural color of the meat is almost white, like lobster or chicken. With interesting marinades, however, the mushroom can be transformed into the appearance of red meat.
TASTE
In taste and appearance, it is close to lobster, chicken, and crustaceans. The taste is mild but distinct. The dominant flavor is with noticeable notes of mollusks (shrimp, lobster). Aroma: Fresh has a slightly earthy but pleasant aroma.
PREPARATION
Lion's Mane is a sophisticated and versatile ingredient that requires a subtle approach to preserve its unique properties.
PROPERTIES AND EDIBILITY
Texture: Fresh mane is firm but juicy. Its characteristic “twigs” are brittle and become tender and slightly crispy when heated.
RAW MUSHROOM IS EDIBLE
Mane is not eaten raw. Two main reasons: in order for the mushroom to release its medicinal ingredients, it must be heat-treated (around 80 degrees Celsius), because the cell walls contain chitin, which the human body cannot digest. The second reason is that it can have a bitter taste (which disappears completely with heat). Cooking, baking or roasting is mandatory to develop its full aroma and soft texture.
PREPARATION BEFORE COOKING
Cleaning: Lion's mane is a sponge, so do not wash it under water. Clean it with a dry paring knife or a soft brush. If necessary, rinse it quickly under running water and dry it thoroughly with a paper towel. Cutting: Smaller heads can be left whole. Cut larger heads into thicker slices (1-2 cm) to preserve juiciness. For "pseudo-shrimps", you can tear it with your hands into smaller, natural pieces that more closely mimic the texture of shrimp.
RECOMMENDED PREPARATION TECHNIQUES
Mane has a high water content, so it is excellently prepared with techniques that allow the water to evaporate and turn golden brown.
A. Frying in a Pan
(Most common method)
Procedure: Heat a sufficient amount of oil (e.g. olive oil) in a wide frying pan. Place the mushroom in the pan and fry it over a moderate to high temperature. Key to success: Don't stir too much! Let the mushroom brown nicely on one side and get a golden brown color. This can take 3-5 minutes. Then turn and repeat. Salt only towards the end so as not to release too much juice. Temperature: Medium-high.
B. Baking in the Oven
Method: Brush the mushrooms with oil, salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet.
Temperature: 190-220°C. Time: Bake for 15-25 minutes (depending on size) until the edges are golden brown and the texture is crispy.
C. Grilling
Result: Adds a smoky flavor. Procedure: Brush cleaned and sliced mushrooms with oil. Place on a moderately heated grill. Temperature: Medium. Time: Grill for 4-6 minutes per side, until nicely browned and soft.
CULINARY USES IN RESTAURANTS
Treat it as a refined ingredient that needs to be lightly seasoned and properly prepared to reveal its inimitable flavor that will delight guests. As “Lion’s mane steak” : pan-fry with your marinade. Serve as a main course with a variety of side dishes. In Risottos and Pastas : Add at the end of cooking to maintain texture. Goes great with white wine, cream and parmesan. As “Bacon” or “kebab meat” : Very thin slices, pan-fried or in the oven, become very crispy and can be used as a layer for salads or in sandwiches. Stuffing or Sauce : Crushed or sliced mane is an excellent base for filling in pancakes or as a sauce for meat.
STORAGE
Fresh: Store in the refrigerator in a paper bag, not plastic. Lasts 7-14 days.
Dried: can be stored in vacuum packaging for several months.
The healing properties of Lion's Mane
fringed beard or HERICIUM ERINACEUS
4,000 years of experience in TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE,
MUSHROOM Hou Tou Gu (Chinese name for mushroom) which has a beneficial effect on health
Beneficial effects on the nervous system, against dementia and multiple sclerosis, and stomach problems. Hericium erinaceus or in Slovenian, Lion's Mane is a delicious edible and medicinal mushroom with a distinctive appearance.
In traditional Chinese medicine, it is valued for its numerous medicinal effects, which is also confirmed by modern research. Lion's Mane is particularly known for its beneficial effects on the nervous system, which is why the mushroom is also called "natural nutrient for neurons."
Lion's mane protects against dementia and neurodegenerative diseases, improves brain function and acts against depression and anxiety. In addition, it has antitumor effects by stimulating the immune system and is used to treat stomach and esophageal cancer, as well as gastritis and stomach or duodenal ulcers. The mushroom also has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, lowers blood pressure and sugar, and regulates blood cholesterol levels, thereby preventing the development of diabetes and other diseases.
cardiovascular system, but does not cause unwanted side effects (Powell, 2010;
Khan et al., 2013).
Hericium erinaceus is a tasty and nutritious mushroom, low in fat (mainly unsaturated fatty acids) and relatively high in protein. Compared to other edible mushrooms, it has a higher quality amino acid composition and the highest biological value, making it an excellent meat substitute for vegan diets. Due to its beneficial nutritional and medicinal properties, the fringed bearded dragon is very suitable for inclusion in the daily diet by preparing tasty and healthy meals (Powell, 2010).
Scientists have discovered various biologically active substances in the mushroom Hericium erinaceus, from the ß-glucan polysaccharides typical of mushrooms and more pharmacologically interesting, which strengthen the immune system and thus have an antitumor effect, to ergosterol (provitamin D2) and phenols with antioxidant properties.
(Khan et al., 2013).
Probably the most important groups of active ingredients in the erinaceus mushroom are hericenones and erinacins, isolated from the mycelium or fruiting bodies of the fungus. These compounds stimulate the synthesis of catecholamines and nerve growth factor in the central nervous system, which is important for the growth, survival and support of nerve cells, and in this way Hericium erinaceus has a beneficial effect on the nervous system.
(Ma et al., 2010; Shimbo et al., 2005).
Clinical studies on dementia patients who consumed fringed bearded dragon showed improvements in their cognitive abilities (understanding, communication, memory, etc.), increased functional independence (feeding, dressing, walking, etc.), and reduced depression and anxiety (Khan et al., 2013).
Furthermore, in studies conducted on nerve cells, mushroom extract showed an increased process of myelination, or the formation of the myelin sheath, which is destroyed in multiple sclerosis (Kolotushkina et al., 2003), and stimulated nerve regeneration after injury (Wong et al., 2012).
Hericium erinaceus has also shown antibacterial effects in clinical studies, eliminating MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infection in many patients and inhibiting the bacterium in 89.5% of patients infected with Helicobacter pylori, thus treating gastritis and stomach ulcers (Powel, 2010; Donatini, 2014).
The content on the medicinal properties of the Lion's Mane mushroom is taken from the book entitled: Medicinal Mushrooms by Three Co-Authors.
Link to the English version of the book (PDF)
Lion's Mane Ambassadors
Alen Kobilica
maneken, atlet, podjetnik
Nina Osenar Kontrec
miss, voditeljica, avtorica, vplivnica
Maja Hrovat
to the vegan society
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Andrej Gregorij
researcher, entrepreneur, author
Dr. Tina Mele
biologist
Our mission is to provide a wider range of people with access to this healthy and delicious mushroom.
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