Ordinary champignon (lat. Agaricus Campetris) is a wild relative of cultural mushrooms sold in supermarkets. Once he was an ordinary mushroom, today it is less and less due to the reduction of the area of a favorable environment and the massive use of chemical plant protection products. However, champignons are extremely aromatic mushrooms that are worthy of special culinary attention.
The ordinary champignon was first described by Karl Linnaeus himself in 1753. According to scientists, this is a rather ancient taxon, which developed as an early process of a related species of purple-brown mushroom (lat. Agaricus cupreobrunneus).
Appearance
The fruit body of the ordinary champignon reaches in diameter from 3 to 13 cm. In young individuals, it is closed and has a spherical shape, over time it becomes hemispherical, and in adults flat and spreading. He has a long curved rim, which in young specimens can be slightly villous, and in old scales-core. Initially, the hat is white, which as the mushroom ages becomes gray. The upper part of the hat is covered with sticky brown scales, which are yellowing when pressed. The surface of the fruit body is smooth, shiny and silky. In dry weather, its upper part is cracking, deep furrows and pores are formed. The peel that it is covered is easily removed.
The fungus blades are located tightly and do not fit the leg. They are narrow and have smooth blades. In young specimens with closed fruit bodies, they are white, later become pink, and then acquire a chocolate-brown or black-brown color. Old samples under the influence of a dispute appear purple color.
The mushroom leg reaches a height of 3 to 10 cm. and thickness from 1 to 2.5 cm. It can be a cylindrical or cylindrical shape pointed at the base. It is full and easily separates from the hat. In the upper part, it is surrounded by a white, membrane ring that disappears in old specimens. It is white, in the upper part, pinking from a translucent pulp. In old mushrooms, it becomes brown or rusty-brown. It usually has a smooth surface, although there are specimens with a slightly fibrous surface.
Flesh pulp flesh and compact. In most of the mushroom, it is white, on which a pink bleach sometimes appears. Above the plates and on the leg just below the plates, it acquires a gray shade, and at the bottom of the legs orange. When cutting in places it becomes pink. It has a pleasant mushroom smell and a soft, spicy taste.
Where it grows
The ordinary champignon is common all over the world, except Europe can be found in Asia, North Africa, Australia, New Zealand and North America. It usually appears in the summer, after storms and rains, and grows very expressive. It appears mainly among herbs: in the fields and meadows, especially those that are fertilized by organic fertilizers, therefore it is also known as a meadow mushroom.
Interesting! Although the ordinary champignon is one by one, much more often it forms groups distributed in characteristic, supernaturally impressive circles.
Similar species
Is it possible to confuse meadow mushrooms? This is possible, although, fortunately, it usually does not pose a danger to health, since almost all kinds are edible. The most similar to the meadow mushroom is a bicolver champignon (lat. Agaricus bisporus), which we can buy in stores. Although this plant is most often cultivated for commercial purposes, it can grow in the wild and almost indistinguishablely naked eye differences are visible only under a thorough examination. The dual champignon can be confused, but its distinctive feature is a double ring on the leg and an extremely smooth hat.
The champignon is doublering
Another similar relative is the field champignon (lat. Agaricus arvest), which, however, grows to several larger sizes and in a mature state is characterized by yellow tones and a characteristic anise smell.
Only one type of mushrooms can be a danger to health the chickleather champignon (lat. Agaricus Xanthodermus), which can be distinguished from its edible brothers by pronounced yellow bleaching when touching the hat and yellowing of the pulp. The use of this species causes people serious digestive disorders, including vomiting.
The champignon is yellowskinned
However, lovers of wild mushrooms should know that, unfortunately, a deadly poisonous smelly fly agaric (lat. Amanita virosa) can also impersonate young copies. This high toxic mushroom in a mature state looks completely different than any other mushroom, but in young condition it is just a smooth white mushroom with an oval hat. Therefore, experts recommend always checking the details the champignons of the plate from brown to chocolate color, and in the puzzles white, and it is easy to find a characteristic loose scar in the lower part of the legs.
Use
These mushrooms have a unique taste and aroma, which makes them very popular in the kitchen. They are loved to add to soups and many meat dishes. Such mushrooms can be baked, fry, stew and cook. They are also well suited as a supplement to many types of sauces.
For all those people who are vegetarians, forest mushrooms can be an excellent option both in the content of vitamins and minerals and protein content.
Meadow mushroom is a source of health, as it consists mainly of water. Secondly, it is a source of unsaturated fatty acids, fiber and protein. These mushrooms also contain valuable B vitamins and nutrients (potassium, magnesium, selenium, sodium).
One of its properties that it stands out is lightness. 90% of its weight is water. The rest, in small proportions, is filled with carbohydrates and fats. They are rich in vitamins and minerals. Thanks to these properties, they can be included in almost any type of diet. They are a great option for obese people, as they have saturative ability, but low calorie content. Thus, we can consume a large amount of this fungus without adding too many calories to our diet.
Another property of its high content of selenium, antioxidant properties, as well as a large amount of potassium. This helps reduce fluid retention in the body, especially in people with overweight. They are rich in phosphorus, so they help to maintain teeth and bones in good condition, as well as the proper functioning of the mind. Among the vitamins, which are in a greater proportion contained in mushrooms, there are B2 and B3.
Interesting fact! In folk medicine, extracts were made from it and used to combat typhoid and tuberculosis. They were also washed with difficult toaling wounds.
Interesting Facts
Despite the threat of weighting the body with heavy metals, meadow mushrooms also carry a certain health potential. Indepth study of their chemical composition revealed a moderately high content of antioxidants mainly phenolic acids and tocopherols and strong ability to neutralize superoxide anions. In addition, it has been proved that meadow fungi contain compounds with antibacterial, antiviral and cytotoxic properties, which means that they can be used even to treat cancer in people.
There are also studies that suggest that meadow mushrooms can stimulate insulin secretion and thereby reduce blood glucose levels. However, this property has not yet been used in medicine.
