The etiquette rules on how to serve and eat cremini mushrooms. Tips to be the ideal host or the perfect guest.

What cremini mushroom etiquette is

Cremini mushroom etiquette is the set of rules to properly serve and eat cremini mushrooms. Such rules help avoid behaviors that may disrespect your hosts or guests, or make you look unpolite.

If you are hosting, follow the etiquette to appropriately serve cremini mushrooms to your guests.

As a guest, respect the etiquette rules to properly eat cremini mushrooms at the dining table and avoid offending your hosts.

What you should know about cremini mushrooms

The cremini mushroom is an Agaricus Bisporus mushroom in its immature and brown state. Agaricus Bisporus is the most common edible mushroom in the world.

Cremini mushrooms are brown with a cap between 4 and 8 centimeters (1.5 and 3 inches) in diameter. They are delicate in flavor and smooth and slightly spongy in texture.

Etiquette rules to serve and eat cremini mushrooms

1) How to store cremini mushrooms

It is best to eat fresh cremini mushrooms within a few days of the purchase.

Store cremini mushrooms in the fridge. Mushrooms can absorb the smell of other foods, and thus spoil their taste. It is best to keep them in a sealed container. In the fridge, cremini mushrooms will last between 3 and 7 days.

It is possible to freeze cremini mushrooms. You can freeze them raw or cooked. In the freezer, they usually last up to 10 months. However, the texture, color, and taste of frozen cremini mushrooms can deteriorate sensibly after a couple of months.

After cooking cremini mushrooms, store them in the fridge. They can last between 2 and 5 days.

2) How to clean cremini mushrooms

Before washing cremini mushrooms, you can separate the stem from the cap or leave them whole. Do not peel them before or after washing.

To clean cremini mushrooms, wash them in cold running water. Gently remove any dirt. Then, soak them in water for about 10 to 20 minutes. Finally, rinse them and place them on a towel or on kitchen paper to dry.

3) How to cook cremini mushrooms

Cremini mushrooms can be eaten raw or cooked. Due to food safety concerns, eat creminis raw only if you buy them from a reputable vendor, such as a trusted grocery chain. Otherwise, it may be best to cook them.

Before cooking raw creminis, slice them or cut them into chunks. Before cooking dry creminis, reconstitute them by soaking them in hot water for about 20 minutes. You can subsequently use the water for cooking.

You can cook cremini mushrooms in various methods. Boil, grill, sautée, fry or deep-fry, or roast in the oven. They are ideal for soups and rice recipes. You can cook them in stews, bake them in flans or quiches, or add them to salads.

Mushrooms are among the most disliked foods. Thus, before cooking and serving cremini to your guests, it is considerate to ask whether some guests avoid eating them.

4) How to serve & present cremini mushrooms

Cremini mushrooms are appropriate for formal and informal meals. However, since they are a rather common ingredient, they are a better fit for an informal meal. Creminis are typical in spring and fall recipes. It is not common to serve them in warm weather.

You can serve cremini as a side dish or complement. Serve them in chunks or slices, warm or at room temperature. Present them in a serving shallow bowl or dish, and with a serving spoon.

5) Food and wine to pair cremini mushrooms with

Cremini mushrooms go well with olive oil, butter, garlic, shallots, onions, rosemary, and thyme. They are great in risotto and soup.

You can match cremini with eggs or meats, such as beef, lamb, chicken, or poultry. It is not common to pair cremini with fish or seafood. The best vegetables to combine cremini with are potatoes, asparagus, leeks, beans, and spinach. Avoid combining cremini with more prized mushrooms, such as porcini, chanterelle, or shiitake. Due to their delicate taste, creminis do not combine well with cheese and dairy.

Cremini mushrooms pair best with medium-bodied red wine. You can pair them with a Chianti or Merlot. Alternatively, match them with a medium-bodied white wine, such as Riesling, Chardonnay, or Sauvignon Blanc.

6) How to eat cremini mushrooms

Eat creminis with a fork and knife. When they are served in chunks or slices, avoid using the knife if possible.

Every part of the mushroom is edible. In general, it is not polite to discard creminis. If you dislike them, try to make an effort and eat some of them. Discarding all the mushrooms risks embarrassing your host.

Cremini mushroom etiquette: the worst mistakes

The Rude Index identifies and ranks negative behaviors. 

A high score (8-10) means that the behavior has the potential to trigger a conflict with others. A medium score (4-7) means that the behavior risks making you look inelegant and unsophisticated. Read more about the Rude Index and its methodology here.  

Avoid the worst cremini mushroom etiquette mistakes. 

• 9/10. Serving spoiled cremini mushrooms.
• 7/10. Combining cremini mushrooms with prized mushrooms.
• 6/10. Pairing cremini mushrooms with the wrong flavors.
• 3/10. Serving cremini mushrooms in warm weather.

Additional information for properly serving cremini mushrooms

How many calories per serving?

Counting calories is important to stay healthy and plan a menu correctly.

Cremini mushrooms are mostly made of water. They contain about 22 calories per 100 grams (3.5 oz). One small cremini mushroom weighs about 10 grams and contains 2 calories.

How to buy the best cremini mushrooms

A crucial factor in cremini etiquette is serving your guests the best product possible.

Season and availability 

Cremini mushrooms are commonly found or cultivated in the Northern hemisphere during the rainy seasons. Thus, the best seasons are usually spring and autumn.

Choose the best

Good cremini must be firm and look fresh. Discard mushrooms that look wet and feel slimy or sticky.

Alternatives to cremini

As a substitute for cremini mushrooms, try other mushrooms such as portobello or champignon.

FAQs

What is the difference between cremini and champignon? Cremini and champignon are two varieties of the same mushroom. Cremini or crimini is an immature brown mushroom. Champignons are immature white mushrooms.

Resources

• Health Benefits of Crimini Mushrooms: webmd.com