Mushrooms, truffles and fungi

Apart from the common button and field mushrooms we are all familiar with, there are many other, more unusual varieties, which in recent years have gained popularity. The most common examples are varieties of Chinese and Japanese mushrooms, which are usually sold dried and must be reconstituted with water before use. Some of the most popular of these are Chinese mushrooms (shiitake), wood ears (Chinese black fungus) and the Japanese Matsutake. Unusual European varieties include oyster mushrooms, pink champagne mushrooms, the brown, sponge-like morel (available dried and canned), the boletus, the Corne d’abondance (or Horn of Plenty), chanterelle or girolle, and the tiny mousserons (all available dried).