Agaricus Campestris – The Meadow Mushroom

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Agaricus Campestris are widely grown edible types of gilled fungi, with a common button-like appearance that resembles that of white button mushrooms. Also known as “field mushrooms” in the U.K., and “meadow mushrooms” in the U.S.. They are amongst the most commonly consumed mushrooms in Western countries and especially in the U.K..

They were first discovered and named by Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus around 1753 and were classified as a member of the psalliota genus of both edible and toxic fungi, characterized by a fleshy cap and gills.

Where To Find Agaricus Campestris Mushrooms And When

Agaricus campestris fungi grow natively across the U.K, North America, North-Eastern Europe, Asia, North Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Typically, they grow in fields and meadows frequently grazed by sheep or cattle, although they also grow in suburban grassy areas.

They are available from June to October, with their peak season being late summer.

How To Identify Them

These mushrooms have the typical caps that you’ll find in most mushroom species, but they may bear small scales on their exterior. The caps are between 1 to 5 inches (2.5 to 12.5 cm) in diameter and the young ones have a more hemispherical or umbrella-like shape which gradually flattens out with maturity.

The gills of these mushrooms are deep brownish pink in younger fungi and eventually turn into a rich dark brown shade as the mushroom matures. Keep in mind that the gills in more mature fungi may be infested with maggots or other contaminants so you need to inspect the gills carefully before picking up the mushroom.

The stems grow anywhere from 1 to 5 inches (2.5 to 12.5 cm) in diameter and can be 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm) thick with a single small ring in their base which is only temporary.

Look-alikes

Unfortunately, there are some toxic species that are similar to Agaricus Campestris in both appearance and texture. The most common one is Agaricus xanthodermus. The most distinct difference between the two is that xanthodermus has a deep yellow stain in its base as opposed to the reddish-brown hue of campestris fungi.

How To Grow Agaricus Campestris Mushrooms

Agaricus campestris are fairly easy to grow at home on a small scale. They require a similar growth process to that of Agaricus bisporus mushrooms. The most popular method to grow them involves the use of spawn spores (mycelium). You can obtain spores in big nurseries online and offline and from large online platforms like Ebay and Amazon.

Here is the growing process, step-by-step:

1. Get a large flat container to grow the mushrooms. Keep the container in a dark place like a basement.
2. Fill and spread a generous layer of nutrient-rich soil into the container.
3. Spread a layer of approx. 2 inches (5 cm) of sterilized substrate (e.g. compost) over the soil. You can also use animal droppings for this species. To sterilize the substrate, soak first in hot water and drain.
4. Inoculate the substrate with the Agaricus campestris mushroom spores. Cover with a plastic film with several small holes to allow moisture to enter.
5. Make sure the mushrooms grow at room temperature between 45 to 60F (7 to 15.5 C). Spray the spawn with water one to two times a day to encourage humidity or according to the instructions given by your spore supplier.
6. You should then begin to notice some small growth in around 8 to 10 days. Keep the mushrooms nice and moist for around one week extra. Once they have reached a satisfactory size, you can harvest them.

Note: make sure to keep these mushrooms at mild temperatures that do not exceed 60F (15.5C) or you’ll risk damaging the growth. Use a fan if necessary to reduce the temperature.

Health Benefits

Similar to most edible mushroom species, Agaricus campestris mushrooms are very low in fats and calories but high in other nutrients such as Vitamin K, iron, calcium, and potassium. They also contain significant amounts of linoleic acid, which is a fatty acid involved in various body functions such as nervous system and hormone regulation.

Historically, there have been reports that field mushrooms were used back in the 1950s to treat cases of typhoid fever, due to their antiviral and antimicrobial properties. Since then, there is evidence suggesting that Agaricus campestris mushrooms have potent antioxidant, blood-glucose regulating, and anti-cancer properties.

Extracts of Agaricus campestris are also used in cosmetics, for skin rejuvenation and anti-ageing purposes.

How To Cook Agaricus Campestris Mushrooms

Agaricus campestris, in a similar fashion to white button mushrooms, are very versatile when it comes to cooking. You can enjoy them in various ways such as sauteing, roasting, grilling, boiling, etc.. They have a very subtle aroma and toasty flavor and go well with light marinades and sauces. If you are a fan of rich yet simple to make dishes, here is a good meadow mushroom recipe to try out:

Ingredients:

• 6 medium-sized meadow mushrooms, cleansed with a wet cloth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• Salt-pepper

Directions:

1. Combine all the liquid ingredients in a small bowl with the garlic.
2. Place the mushrooms on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3. Brush or pour the mixture evenly over the mushrooms and season with extra kosher salt or pepper.
4. Roast for 25-30 minutes, at 390F (200C).

Conclusion

Whether roasted, sauteed or grilled, these mushrooms will become a favorite family and guest dish. They have just the right amount combination of flavor and aroma. They also blend well with pretty much anything you combine them with.

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