Lion’s Mane mushrooms are medium to large in size, averaging 10-25 centimeters in diameter, and are spherical and elongated with a single, hidden base. The tough, fibrous base is covered in soft, overlapping, slender spines that average 1-5 centimeters in length and dangle freely down towards the ground ending in pointed tips.

Lion’s Mane mushrooms are best suited for cooked applications such as baking, frying, roasting, and sautéing. Their meaty texture is often used as a substitute for meat and can be served as a replacement for seafood, lamb, and pork. They are also commonly sautéed and served in pasta, stir-fries, soups, surf and turf, burgers, and salads. This mild mushroom easily picks up the flavors of the accompanying ingredients and can be a part of both side and main dishes. When prepping, the mushroom should be thoroughly washed or brushed clean and then squeezed out like a sponge to remove excess water. The mushroom is very absorbent and too much water will ruin the flavor and texture of the dish. Lion’s Mane mushrooms pair well with apples, ginger, garlic, shallots, onions, butter, chiles, paprika, thyme, parsley, rosemary, sage, saffron, white pepper, kohlrabi, spinach, leeks, lemon, carrots, potatoes, pine nuts, meats such as beef and poultry, cashews, dry white wine, pesto, and chicken stock.

The potential benefits of lion’s mane mushroom are numerous and span physical, cognitive and mental health. The mushroom is a source of natural bioactive compounds, which are health-promoting chemicals found in certain foods and plants. As a result, it exhibits disease-fighting properties, including anti-cancer, anti-microbial and antioxidant activity.

Research also suggests that lion’s mane may protect nerves from disease or decline, according to a 2015 abstract in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. The same study concludes the mushroom displays additional health-promoting benefits, such as:

• Regulates blood sugar
• Reduces high blood pressure
• Promotes healthy energy levels and combats fatigue
• Helps to prevent excess blood lipid accumulation
• Protects heart health
• Slows biological aging
• Protects liver health
• Protects kidney health