Cremini mushroom
Agaricus bisporus (Fungi)
Earthy and meaty with deep umami when browned; more pronounced than white button mushroom.
About Cremini
The cremini mushroom (also called baby bella or brown button mushroom) is the brown-capped immature form of the same species that produces white button mushrooms when picked younger and portobellos when allowed to mature. Cremini are the workhorse cooking mushroom of contemporary American cuisine — deeper flavor than white button mushrooms, more affordable than specialty varieties, available year-round in most supermarkets. The brown color comes from slightly more developed melanin; the flavor is meatier and more earthy than white button. Cremini brown beautifully (developing deep umami caramelization), making them the right choice for sauces, soups, and pasta dishes that need substantial mushroom presence.
Variety profile
Common uses
- Sautéed in butter
- Beef bourguignon
- Mushroom risotto
- Pasta sauce component
- Stuffed mushroom appetizer
Editorial notes
Don't wash cremini mushrooms in water (they absorb water and steam rather than brown); brush off dirt instead. Use within 5-7 days of purchase.