When can babies eat porcini mushrooms?
Porcini mushrooms may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. Avoid foraging mushrooms to share with baby unless you are an expert mycologist as there are plenty of poisonous look-a-like species in the wild.
Where do porcini mushrooms come from?
Porcini mushrooms grow in the wild all over the northern hemisphere. They are widely known as cep and penny buns in English, but in Italian, the name “porcini” means “piglet” – a nod to the wild boars who like to feast on this forest food. Unlike oyster mushrooms and other popular species, porcini mushrooms are difficult (though not impossible) to cultivate on mushroom farms. Limited commercial production keeps prices high for fresh porcini in many parts of the world, though dried porcini mushrooms are increasingly available.
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Are porcini mushrooms healthy for babies?
Yes. Porcini mushrooms are a great source of fiber, iron, and potassium, and they offer a bit of calcium. Fiber aids baby’s developing gut microbiome, iron supports healthy red blood cells, potassium strengthens heart health, and calcium helps baby build strong bones. Porcini mushrooms also contain the compound ergothioneine, an antioxidant that can help support the body’s resilience.
Make sure to buy porcini mushrooms from a reputable source and avoid foraging your own mushrooms unless you are an expert mycologist, as there are many poisonous species growing in the wild.
Are porcini mushrooms a common choking hazard for babies?
Yes, especially the cylindrical stems. Porcini mushrooms can be chewy, slippery and challenging for new eaters to break down in their mouths. To reduce the risk, finely chop the mushrooms and cook fully. Dried mushrooms should be fully rehydrated in boiling water and chopped before serving. As always, make sure to create a safe eating environment and stay within an arm’s reach of a baby during mealtime. For more information, visit our section on gagging and choking and familiarize yourself with common choking hazards.
Are porcini mushrooms a common allergen?
No. Mushroom allergy is rare, although not unheard of. There have been reports of anaphylaxis, as well as rashes amongst those handling mushrooms. Mushrooms also contain chitin, a common carbohydrate found in crustaceans and insects that may contribute to an allergic response in certain individuals.
Individuals with Oral Allergy Syndrome (also called pollen food allergy syndrome), particularly those sensitive to mold, may also be sensitive to mushrooms. Oral Allergy Syndrome typically results in short-lived itching in the mouth and is unlikely to result in a dangerous reaction. Cooking mushrooms can help minimize and even eliminate the reaction.
Dried porcini mushrooms may be preserved with sulfites. While sulfites are not a common allergen, certain individuals, particularly those with asthma, can have allergy-like reactions to added sulfites. If sulfites are a concern, avoid ingredients such as sulfur dioxide, potassium bisulfate, potassium metabisulfite, sodium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, and sodium sulfite to name a few.
As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity for the first few servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the amount over future meals.
Can babies have raw porcini mushrooms?
Yes, although cooked porcini mushrooms are easier for baby to digest and less challenging to chew. Cooking these mushrooms also helps lower the risk of foodborne illness.
Can porcini mushrooms help babies poop?
Yes. Porcini mushrooms are rich in fiber and fluid to support the gut microbiome, bulk up poop, and hydrate the intestines. Mushrooms also offer prebiotics – special carbohydrates that help friendly gut bacteria flourish. Introduce high-fiber foods like mushrooms gradually and regularly in baby’s diet as tolerated; a little gassiness or a few blowouts is just a sign that baby’s digestive system is adjusting, so no need to remove the food from the diet. Remember that pooping patterns can vary significantly from baby to baby. If you have concerns about baby’s pooping and digestive function, talk to your pediatric healthcare provider.
How do you introduce porcini mushrooms to babies with baby-led weaning?
Every baby develops on their own timeline, and the suggestions on how to cut or prepare particular foods are generalizations for a broad audience.
6 to 8 months old:
Mix finely chopped, cooked porcini mushrooms into foods that are easy for baby to pick up and munch on, such as egg strips, or mix into soft, scoopable foods like mashed vegetables, porridges, or yogurt. If you have very large fresh porcini, remove the stem, cook the cap, and offer the whole cap as finger food and let baby munch on it. Make sure the porcini cap is bigger than baby’s mouth, and if they munch it down to a smaller size, simply take it away and offer another piece of food in its place. Dried porcini may be used to flavor stocks and broths or ground into a powder to season baby’s food.
9 to 17 months old:
Offer bite-sized pieces of cooked porcini on their own or fold chopped, cooked porcini mushrooms into grains, porridges, and other soft, scoopable foods. Continue to use dried porcini to flavor foods meats, pastas, stews, and other dishes to share with the child.
18 to 24 months old:
Offer cooked, chopped porcini mushroom on its own or as part of a meal. At this age, if the child has mature chewing and tearing skills, you can try moving back up in size to large pieces of cooked porcini mushroom. Try modeling how to use your back teeth to thoroughly chew the mushroom with big, exaggerated mouth movements.
Expand baby’s palate with recipes from around the world with our 100 Dinners for Babies & Toddlers guide.
Mushroom Risotto for the Whole Family
Yield
4 c (960 ml)
Cooking time
1 hour
Age suggestion
6 months+
Ingredients
⅓ c (5 g) dried porcini mushroom
12 oz (340 g) button mushrooms
4 tbsp (56 g) unsalted butter
1 tsp (2 g) dried thyme (optional)
1 ½ c (360 ml) dry white short-grain rice
½ tsp (1 g) white pepper (optional)
2 tbsp (30 ml) heavy cream
2 tbsp (30 ml) grated parmesan (optional: 12 months+)
This recipe contains an allergen: dairy (butter, heavy cream, parmesan cheese). Only serve to a child after this allergen has been safely introduced.
Directions
Prepare the Porcini
Place the dried porcini mushrooms and 4 c (960 ml) of water in a pot.
Cover and set the pot on medium heat.
Once the mixture reaches a boil, lower the heat to create a bare simmer. Let the mushrooms gently simmer for 10 minutes.
Remove the pot from the heat. Keep the pot covered to steep the mushrooms for 15 minutes.
Use a slotted spoon to lift the mushrooms from the soaking liquid to a cutting board. Finely chop the mushrooms and set them aside. Keep the soaking liquid warm while you prepare the risotto.
Prepare the Risotto
Wash and finely chop the mushrooms.
Peel and finely chop the onion and garlic.
Melt the butter in a large pot set on medium heat.
Add the onion and cook until it softens, about 5 minutes.
Add the mushrooms and cook until they soften and release their liquid, about 10 minutes.
Stir in the rehydrated and chopped porcini mushrooms, garlic, and thyme and cook until the herbs are fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add the rice and stir to coat in the mushroom mixture. Cook until the rice becomes translucent at the edges, about 2 minutes.
Begin gradually adding the warm porcini soaking liquid. Add about ½ c (120 ml) at a time, and let the grains absorb the liquid before adding more. Repeat until all liquid has been absorbed. This process takes approximately 20 minutes.
Once the rice has absorbed the water, stir in the heavy cream.
Set aside some risotto for the child. Season the rest with parmesan cheese for yourself.
Serve the Risotto
Offer the risotto and let the child self-feed.
If help is needed, pre-load a baby spoon and rest it next to the food for the child to pick up. Alternatively, pass the pre-loaded spoon in the air for the child to grab from you.
Eat your risotto alongside the child to model how it’s done.
To Store: Mushroom Risotto keeps in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days.
Pairings
Porcini mushrooms pair well with apricot, black pepper, goat cheese, onion, pork, and sausage.
By
Dr. Rachel Ruiz
Pediatrician & pediatric gastroenterologist
Dr. Sakina Shikari Bajowala
Pediatrician & pediatric allergist/immunologist
Kary Rappaport
Pediatric occupational therapist, feeding & swallowing specialist, international board-certified lactation consultant
Kim Grenawitzke
Pediatric occupational therapist, feeding & swallowing specialist, international board-certified lactation consultant
K. Tatiana Maldonado
Speech-language pathologist, feeding & swallowing specialist
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