Some mushrooms are highly sought-after for their use in cooking. Others get used for their medicinal benefits.
Turkey tail mushrooms fall into the second category. They contain a number of beneficial compounds that make them worth consuming.
The problem is that you can’t simply eat turkey tail mushrooms like portobellos or oyster mushrooms. Their thick and woody structure makes them basically inedible to humans.
These mushrooms need to get prepared in specific ways if you want to benefit from them.
The good news is that preparing turkey tail mushrooms as a tea or supplement isn’t difficult.
In this article we’ll explain how you can use turkey tails for medicinal use. We’ll also go over how to find and identify them, what their benefits are and more. Keep reading to see if turkey tail mushrooms are something you might want to add to your daily health regimen.
And if you’re in the UK I’d love you to have a look at our MycoTonics range of medicinal extracts which includes Turkey Tail.
Turkey tail mushrooms are quickly gaining popularity thanks to their unique taste, texture and potential health benefits. But many people are unsure how to actually eat these intriguing fungi. In this comprehensive guide we’ll explore different preparation methods to enjoy turkey tails plus simple recipes to inspire your culinary adventures with this mushroom.
Turkey tail mushrooms, known scientifically as Trametes versicolor or Coriolus versicolor, are a polypore mushroom found abundantly on decaying logs around the world. They get their common name from their striking appearance – colorful concentric bands reminiscent of a turkey’s fanned tail.
These mushrooms have a long history of use in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine, where they are called Yun Zhi or Kawaratake respectively. Modern research has started to confirm many of the traditional health claims about turkey tails. They are packed with polysaccharides, which seem to stimulate immune function. Turkey tail extracts are even being studied as potential cancer therapies.
Beyond the health perks, turkey tail mushrooms have a chewy velvety texture and earthy umami flavor when cooked. Their versatility makes them a fantastic gourmet ingredient.
Choosing Turkey Tails – Fresh or Dried?
Turkey tails can be purchased either fresh or dried. Both have their advantages:
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Fresh turkey tails – Have more intense mushroom flavor. Great for cooking applications like soups, stir fries, etc. Don’t last long though.
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Dried turkey tails – Can be stored for over a year More convenient Better suited for tea, broths, extracts. Rehydrate before cooking.
When buying either version, look for turkey tails that are clean, free of mold, and from a reputable source. Organic and wild-harvested are best.
Cleaning and Prepping Turkey Tail Mushrooms
Proper prep is key before eating turkey tail mushrooms. Start with these steps:
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Carefully trim off any dirty, dried out or woody parts with a knife.
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Rinse the mushrooms briefly under running water to remove debris. Don’t soak them.
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Pat dry thoroughly with a towel.
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With fresh mushrooms, slice thinly or dice into bite-sized pieces.
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For dried turkey tails, cover with hot water and let soak for 30 minutes before use.
Now the mushrooms are ready to cook!
Cooking Methods for Turkey Tail Mushrooms
The mild taste and firm texture of turkey tails lend themselves to a variety of cooking methods:
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Sautéed – Slice fresh turkey tails and sauté in butter or olive oil for 5-7 minutes. Season as desired.
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Soups & Stews – Add chopped or dried, rehydrated turkey tails to soups and stews. They pair well with veggies and beans.
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Baked – Roast diced turkey tails at 400°F for 10-15 minutes until lightly browned. Toss with oil and seasonings.
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Added to Grains – Mix rehydrated chopped turkey tails into rice, quinoa or oatmeal.
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Powdered – Grind dried turkey tails into powder. Stir into smoothies, sprinkled on food.
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Tea or Broth – Simmer dried turkey tails in water for at least 15 minutes to extract flavors and benefits. Add herbs as desired.
Turkey tails work with many flavors like garlic, onion, basil, thyme and soy sauce. Get creative with your preferred seasonings!
Simple Turkey Tail Mushroom Recipe Ideas
Here are a few easy ways to start cooking with turkey tail mushrooms:
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Turkey Tail Mushroom Rice – Sauté diced turkey tails with garlic and onion. Add cooked brown rice and season with thyme, tamari or coconut aminos.
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Creamy Turkey Tail Soup – Simmer chopped turkey tails in veggie or chicken broth with potatoes, carrots, onions. Blend till creamy.
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Turkey Tail Breakfast Scramble – Sauté turkey tails with eggs, greens, mushrooms, garlic. Add cheese if desired.
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Chai Spiced Turkey Tail Tea – Steep dried turkey tails in boiling water with chai tea spices – cinnamon, clove, cardamom, ginger, etc.
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Shiitake Turkey Tail Dumplings – Mix chopped turkey tails and shiitakes into dumpling dough. Boil or pan fry until cooked through.
Feel free to substitute turkey tails into any mushroom recipe too!
Turkey Tail Mushroom Nutrition and Health Benefits
What makes turkey tail mushrooms so intriguing from a health perspective? Let’s take a look:
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Contains polysaccharides – Compounds that seem to stimulate immune function. Studies show turkey tail extracts boost immune cell activity.
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Packed with antioxidants – Limit cell damage from free radicals. May reduce cancer risk and inflammation.
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Prebiotics – The polysaccharides feed beneficial gut bacteria, supporting a healthy microbiome.
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Anticancer effects – Research indicates turkey tails may help traditional cancer treatments work better. Clinical trials are underway.
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Anti-viral activity – Early studies show turkey tail extracts may inhibit viruses and boost recovery from infections.
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May lower cholesterol – Animal studies found turkey tail mushroom powder reduced LDL and triglycerides.
The unique nutritional profile of turkey tail mushrooms combines to offer promising health benefits with very few known side effects. But more studies are still needed to verify many traditional medicinal uses. Talk to your doctor before using turkey tail supplements.
Dosage and Potential Side Effects
Studies indicate turkey tail mushroom preparations are very safe, especially when consuming reasonable culinary amounts. But higher supplemental doses may cause:
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Digestive upset – can cause gas, bloating or diarrhea when over-consumed.
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Blood thinning – turkey tails contain coumarin, so may amplify effects of blood thinners.
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Immune effects – can boost immune function, so caution advised for those on immunosuppressant drugs.
For supplemental forms like extracts and powders, carefully follow package dosage instructions. Most recommend 1-3 grams daily, taken with food. As with any new functional foods, start small to assess tolerance.
The Fascinating Turkey Tail Mushroom
Turkey tail mushrooms have stood the test of time as both a culinary ingredient and traditional folk medicine. Their unique umami flavor, chewy texture and stellar nutritional profile make them a delicious addition to many dishes. With some basic prep and cooking techniques, it’s easy to start eating turkey tails. Consider adding this ancient medicinal food to your routine to experience their benefits firsthand!
Frequently Asked Questions About Turkey Tail Mushrooms
Here are some common questions about eating turkey tail mushrooms:
What do turkey tail mushrooms taste like?
Turkey tail mushrooms have an earthy, woodsy, umami flavor. When cooked, the texture becomes pleasantly chewy. The taste is quite mild, making them easy to integrate into many recipes.
Can you eat turkey tail mushrooms raw?
It’s not recommended to eat turkey tails raw. Cooking helps break down the tough, leathery texture. Additionally, heat may make some of the bioactive compounds more bioavailable. Lightly cooking them is best.
How do you prepare turkey tail mushrooms?
Start by cleaning them well, trimming off any woody or dried pieces. Slice or dice them into smaller pieces. Fresh ones can then be sautéed, added to soups and stews, etc. Dried turkey tails should be rehydrated in hot water first before cooking.
What’s the best way to extract the benefits from turkey tails?
Simmering turkey tails into a broth, tea or extract helps draw out the beneficial polysaccharides and antioxidants. Let them steep for at least 15-30 minutes, then strain out mushrooms before drinking the liquid.
Can you eat too many turkey tail mushrooms?
Moderation is key, even with natural foods. Consuming reasonable culinary amounts is likely safe for most people. Very high supplemental doses may cause mild digestive or immune side effects in some individuals. Start slowly when trying turkey tails.
Conclusion
Turkey tail mushrooms offer a wealth of nutrition along with scrumptious umami flavor. With some simple preparation methods, these functional fungi can be enjoyed in many dishes and drinks. Consider incorporating turkey tails into your recipes to experience both their versatile taste and potential health advantages. Let your culinary creativity run wild with this gourmet mushroom!
Young Caps Should Be Thin and Flexible
You should be able to bend a young turkey tail mushroom. It will be young and flexible. Other similar mushrooms will be rigid and hard even while they are young.
It’s worth noting that a rigid and hard mushroom does not necessarily mean it isn’t a turkey tail mushroom. As they get older and larger, turkey tails will become more rigid too. But young and small specimens should still be quite bendy.
Are Turkey Tail Mushrooms Poisonous?
Turkey tail mushrooms are not poisonous. The good news is that they don’t have any known poisonous look-alikes either.
This makes harvesting and consuming them pretty low-risk. Worst case, you might get the wrong species that has an unpleasant taste. Or one that doesn’t provide any of the medicinal benefits that you’re expecting. But turkey tails and its look-alikes won’t make you sick.
That being said, turkey tail mushrooms aren’t really edible either. They are extremely tough and woody. So you wouldn’t want to eat them even after cooking them thoroughly.
Instead, turkey tail mushrooms are most commonly dried and ground into a powder. We will discuss exactly how to take this powder a bit later.
