Difficulty: Advanced Nameko (Pholiota nameko) is a popular cultivated mushroom in Japan. As they grow, they are covered in a layer of natural gelatin, which gives them a unique, almost shiny appearance. When cooked, they have an earthy flavor with subtle fruit-like hints, and an aroma reminiscent of cashews and butterscotch. Nameko mushrooms need cooler temperatures and constant humidity when fruiting, and are not ideal for hot or dry climates. Properties: Mushrooms in the Pholiota genus have medicinal qualities that inhibit tumor and microbial growth. In one study conducted on lab mice, polysaccharides taken from Pholiota mycelium reduced the growth of cancerous tumors by about 60% (Ohtsuka et al., 1973). Acting as an antimicrobial, an extract of Pholiota was shown to inhibit the growth of bacteria including E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus (Dulger et al., 2004).
