Mushrooms popularity projected on market

BOGOR (JP): Of more than 10,000 known species of mushrooms all around the world, 80 have been declared edible. And out of these, only 20 are commercially grown, according to Agustin Wydia Gunawan, a mushroom expert from the Bogor Agriculture Institute.

The popularity of mushrooms is bound to grow now with the trend towards nature-based products, such as in producing food supplements, Agustin said.

Since mushroom is rich in protein, yet low in calories, fat and cholesterol, it is an ideal component in a vegetarian diet, she said.

The one draw back of mushrooms as food is its perishable nature. It has to be consumed at the latest one day after it was picked, experts said.

Other uses for mushroom as material for food, including food aroma and for medicines. (24)