Get to Know Chester County's Top Crop — Mushrooms

A feature from the 2022 Farm Prodcuts Guide.

Fun Facts

• The area around Kennett Square, PA has the largest concentration of mushrooms farms in the country. Nearly two-thirds of all mushroom production occurs in Southeastern PA.
• Mushrooms double in size every 24 hours.
• Mushrooms are 90% water.
• Mushrooms are grown in the dark, year-round, in buildings called mushroom houses.
• The most popular mushroom variety grown in the U.S. is white button, followed by crimini (brown or baby bellas), portabellas, enoki, oyster, maitake and shiitake.
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Storage Tips

• Store mushrooms in original packaging or in a porous paper bag for prolonged shelf life.
• To clean mushrooms, brush off any debris with fingers or a damp paper towel, or rinse briefly and pat dry with a paper towel.

Nutrition

• One Portabella mushroom has more Potassium than 1 medium banana.
• Mushrooms are low in calories and sodium, and fat, cholesterol and gluten-free.
• Mushrooms are the leading source of the antioxidant nutrient selenium in the produce aisle.
• Mushrooms are the only source of vitamin D in the produce aisle and one of the few non-fortified food sources. Vitamin D helps build and maintain strong bones by helping the body absorb calcium.

Source: American Mushroom Institute