If you are a mushroom lover, you are sure to know the shaggy ink cap! Easily recognisable thanks to its curious appearance, it is one of the most popular mushrooms in mycology. Delicious, it is also frequently used in cooking. It is indeed an ingredient well worth adding to various recipes…
Discover its medicinal properties, why it is used in Chinese medicine, and a mouth-watering recipe to learn how to prepare it!
The shaggy ink cap, a very special mushroom
Belonging to the Agaricaceae family, the shaggy ink cap is native to Europe. It can generally be found in meadows and along paths and roads.
Its Latin name “Coprinus comatus” refers to its unusual shape, as “coma” and ”atus” mean "with hair". Its cap measures between 4 and 15 cm in height and is covered with white scales that look like locks of hair. Its white colour turns black as it matures, and its stem is cylindrical.
The shaggy ink cap is generally picked from summer to autumn.
According to certain beliefs, the shaggy ink cap represents the symbolic death of a habit or a story. It is said to help you get rid of bad habits, move forward and turn the page.
Its use in Chinese medicine
Although it is native to Europe, the shaggy ink cap is widely used in China, especially in traditional medicine.
Known as Mao tou gui san in Chinese, this mushroom is used in TCM for its action on the Stomach and the Spleen, which it nourishes, and on the Mind (Shen), which it soothes. It is also traditionally used in China to balance sugar levels and relieve internal crises.
The shaggy ink cap, a treasure for health
Its rich composition
The shaggy ink cap is a nutrient-rich mushroom.
First of all, it contains a large number of vitamins:
- Vitamin B, beneficial for energy production and the proper functioning of the nervous system
- Vitamin C, known for strengthening the immune system and combating fatigue
- Vitamin D, effective in preventing certain blood sugar problems and bad cells
- Vitamin E, known for its antioxidant power
In addition, the shaggy ink cap is a mushroom rich in protein and minerals: to be precise, it is made up of 25 to 29% protein.
Finally, it has a high content of minerals (such as beta-1,3- and beta-1,6-D-glucans), which bring many benefits to the body, notably to the immune system.
A mushroom of interest in approaches aimed at preserving sugar balance
The shaggy ink cap naturally contains vanadium, a trace element studied for its role in glucose metabolism. In certain traditions and exploratory research, this mushroom is regarded as a useful support in approaches aimed at preserving metabolic balance, notably in connection with the modern diet.
Some preliminary research has highlighted the presence of specific polysaccharides in the shaggy ink cap, which are being studied for their potential role in carbohydrate metabolism. This mushroom is therefore attracting growing interest in natural approaches linked to a balanced diet.
The shaggy ink cap for losing weight
Besides its action on sugar, the shaggy ink cap is an excellent mushroom to include in your diet if you want to lose weight. First, its calorie content is very low (about 26 calories per 100 g). Eating it is therefore recommended as part of a slimming diet.
In addition, insulin can greatly influence weight gain or loss. By contributing to the balance of sugar levels in the body, the shaggy ink cap helps people who wish to change their eating habits and start a diet.
A mouth-watering recipe to learn how to prepare shaggy ink caps
The shaggy ink cap is widely used in cooking. It is eaten young, raw or cooked, and as soon as possible after picking! Discover a delicious recipe that is simple to make:
Ingredients
- 5 eggs
- 150 g shaggy ink caps
- 30 g grated cheese
- 10 cl single cream
- 10 g butter
- A little parsley
- A pinch of salt
- A pinch of pepper
Method
Rinse the shaggy ink caps, peel them, then cut them into pieces. Next, break the eggs into a bowl and whisk them, adding the cream, a little salt and pepper, then the grated cheese. Mix everything together!
Meanwhile, melt 10 g of butter in a hot frying pan and add the mushrooms. Finally, pour the mixture into the pan, sprinkle with parsley and leave to cook.
Don't confuse the shaggy ink cap
It is important not to confuse the shaggy ink cap (coprinus comatus) with the common ink cap (coprinus atramentarius), a mushroom that can prove toxic if eaten with alcohol.
Unlike the shaggy ink cap, the common ink cap has smooth skin, without scales, and is ash-grey in colour. So, if you decide to go foraging, be careful not to confuse these two mushrooms!
Original and fascinating, the shaggy ink cap is a mushroom with precious medicinal virtues. As well as being a natural solution for diabetes, it is delicious in cooking! Still in season (and since the weather is right), why not try foraging for some!
