An expert revealed that mushrooms are sold in Russia under the guise of pickled milk caps and honey mushrooms.

      Almost all pickled mushrooms found on the shelves of Russian stores are actually shiitake, reports "URA.RU". However, this is actually good for consumers, believes Ilya Vorontsov, executive director of the Mushroom Cultivation Union.

      In stores, cultivated Chinese mushrooms are often sold under the guise of mushrooms and honey agarics in jars. They are not worse and, moreover, are healthier than wild mushrooms, but Russians traditionally prefer forest varieties, which is why canned food producers resort to trickery, Ilya Vorontsov told "URA.RU".

      Shiitake is present in jars as a substitute for mushrooms in 99% of canned products, the expert reported. Pickled honey agarics are actually flammulina, which are similar to other mushrooms, enoki – they are just as long with a small cap.

      But this is one case where the substitution is definitely not worse. Shiitake is in high demand worldwide because it is very healthy. However, in Russia, this niche is occupied by champignons and oyster mushrooms.

      Russian consumers are not very familiar with other cultivated mushroom varieties. Meanwhile, they are easy to prepare and very beneficial for regular consumption, says Ilya Vorontsov.

      In recent years, the availability of cultivated mushrooms in Russia has increased. Consumption has reached one kilogram per person per year, noted the expert. Previously, it was even lower.