Beech mushrooms are delicious edible mushrooms that grow in clusters on fallen beech trees, primarily in East Asia. They are a savory, umami mushroom that is simple to prepare and pairs well with stews, sauces, soups, and even topped on salads.
While they are a classically flavored mushroom with an umami taste, it is almost impossible to overcook them. They retain their flavor, shape, and integrity even after many hours.
It’s not recommended to eat raw beech mushrooms for two reasons:
1) They are quite bitter and decidedly hard to eat without having been cooked.
2) Their nutritional composition is unable to be absorbed unless broken down through the process of cooking.
If you’re new to cooking with beech mushrooms, this easy beech mushroom recipe can be an excellent primer to help you familiarize yourself with the tasty fungi.