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Enoki

Flammulina velutipes

A species of Flammulina, Also known as Velvet foot, Velvet stem, Winter fungus, Lily mushroom, Golden needle mushroom

The enoki grows wild on dead elm trees, and is also cultivated for human use. This flavorful species (Flammulina velutipes) has been used in dishes around the world for generations, being particularly high in nutrients. Though store-bought enoki are often plain white, wild ones can be found in a range of colors.

Cap Diameter:

2 - 10 cm

Odor:

Mildly mushroomy but not distinctive.

General Info About Enoki

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Attributes of Enoki

Cap Diameter

2 - 10 cm

Height

2 - 11 cm

Cap

Cap 1 - 7 cm; convex to flat; dark orange brown to yellowish brown; moist and sticky when fresh, bald

Cap Shape

Convex, Flat

Cap Surfaces

Smooth, Slimy or slightly sticky

Gills

Attached to the stem; crowded or close; whitish to pale yellow

Gill Attachment

Attached

Stem

Stem 2 - 11 cm long, 3 - 10 mm thick; equal or larger towards base; pale to yellowish brown; tough

Stem Shapes

Tapering

Stem Surfaces

Smooth to slightly fibrous

Stem Cross Sections

Hollow or cottony hollow

Flesh

Thin; whitish to yellowish

Ring

Ringless

Spore Print Color

White

Odor

Mildly mushroomy but not distinctive.

Body Color

Brown

White

Flesh Bruises

The flesh or milk does not discolor when bruised or cut.

Growth Form

Gregarious, Clustered

Nutrient Gathering

Saprophytic

Substrate

Dead Woods, Wood of Living Trees

You can find Enoki by these plants:

Sambucus , Ashes

Occurence Habitats

Deciduous Woodland

Species Status

Least Concern

Endangered Species

How to Identify Enoki

Fruiting Body Cap Gills

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Habitat of Enoki

The enoki is a woodland mushroom, mostly associated with deciduous trees. It grows on trunks, stumps, logs, and rotting wood, appearing terrestrial while it's actually growing on buried roots or wood.

Distribution Area of Enoki

North America, Europe, northern Asia

Uses of Enoki

Enoki is a popular edible mushroom, prized for its culinary versatility and unique flavor. It is often used in Asian cuisine, particularly in soups and stir-fries. This species enjoys seasonal availability, usually harvested in the cooler months. Enoki has gained recognition not only for its taste but also as a source of nutritional value, including proteins and vitamins. Due to its edibility and popularity, enoki holds significant collection value. However, it's crucial to source these mushrooms from reliable suppliers to avoid confusion with similar toxic species.

Scientific Classification of Enoki

Phylum

Club fungi

Class

Mushroom-forming fungi

Order

Gilled fungi

Family

Physalacriaceae

Genus

Flammulina

Toxicity and Edibility of Enoki

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Edibility of Enoki

Enoki is a highly sought-after mushroom that is edible when cooked. Though it is commercially available globally, this mushroom particularly pairs well with Asian cuisine. However, it has a soft or slimy texture that some people may not enjoy. Be cautious as the wild form of enoki could be confused with Funeral Bell.

Similar Species to Enoki

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Funeral bell

Similar Species

Enoki

How to Differentiate Between Funeral bell and Enoki?

Enoki: Stem is velvety to the touch, especially towards the base.

Funeral bell: Stem is fibrous and not velvety.

Enoki: Cap has a slimy, sticky surface when wet.

Funeral bell: Cap is more fibrous and not as viscid when wet.

Scaly rustgill

Similar Species

Enoki

Confusing Aspects of Scaly rustgill and Enoki?

Both species are often confused due to their similar brownish caps, gilled structure, and their growth on tree trunks or stumps.

How to Differentiate Between Scaly rustgill and Enoki?

Enoki: Cap is orange to reddish-brown with a shiny, slimy texture.

Scaly rustgill: Cap is more brownish-yellow without a slimy surface.

Enoki: Stem is darker at the base, often velvety or hairy.

Scaly rustgill: Features a uniformly colored stem without a velvety texture.

Enoki: Produces white spores.

Scaly rustgill: Produces yellowish-orange spores.

Tips for Finding Enoki

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When is the Best Time to Find Enoki

Search for enoki in late fall to early winter, post first frost but before heavy snow. Ideal conditions include cold, damp weather following a rain, with temperatures ranging from 30-50°F (-1-10°C).

What are Some Tips for Finding Enoki

Look for clusters of enoki on hardwood stumps, logs, or trunks, focusing especially on areas with dead or decomposing wood.
Check dead hardwood trees, particularly beech and elm, as enoki may appear on the residual wooden parts.
Search at the base of trees and in areas where wood is in contact with the ground, as enoki may seem to be growing terrestrially.
Inspect diseased trees for enoki, as they can sometimes be found on living hosts that are in decline.

How to Clean and Preserve Enoki

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How to Clean Enoki

To clean enoki mushrooms or enoki, start by trimming their cluster base, then gently rinse them under cool, running water. Ensure all visible dirt is removed. After rinsing, lay them on a clean towel to dry without clumping together, preserving their delicate structure.

Tips on Dry Preservation of Enoki

Drying Methods

Dehydrator Drying, Oven Drying, Air Drying

Dehydrator drying: Preserves by removing moisture efficiently, retaining quality, ideal for high water content.

Oven drying: Useful when dehydrator unavailable. Set oven at lowest temperature, keep door slightly ajar.

Air drying: Cost-effective for climates with low humidity; hang or spread out mushrooms in well-ventilated area.

Tips on Freezing Preservation of Enoki

Freezing Methods

Blanching Before Freezing

Freezing Duration

10 - 12 months

Blanching before freezing: Inactivates enzymes that cause spoilage, maintains texture after thawing.

Tips on Refrigeration Preservation of Enoki

Refrigerating Methods

Paper Bag Storage, Cloth Wrapping, Original Packaging Storage, Plastic Wrap Storage

Temperature

0 - 2 ℃

Refrigerating Humidity

90 - 95 %

Refrigerating Duration

7 - 10 days

Paper Bag Storage: Place mushrooms in paper bags to allow moisture absorption and air circulation, preventing sliminess.

Cloth Wrapping: Encase mushrooms in a lightly moistened cloth to retain humidity without water logging.

Original Packaging Storage: If sold in perforated packaging, keep mushrooms in their original container to maintain airflow.

Plastic Wrap Storage: Cover them loosely with plastic wrap that has been perforated for air exchange.

Common Questions People Also Ask

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How do you grow enoki?

Can you eat raw enoki?

How do you cook enoki?

How long does enoki last?

How do you know when enoki is bad?

When can you find enoki in the wild?

What does enoki taste like?

More Mushrooms That Are Similar to Enoki

Funeral bell

Galerina marginata

Sheathed woodtuft

Kuehneromyces mutabilis

Oak-loving collybia

Gymnopus dryophilus