Pioppini Mushroom

Pioppini mushrooms (Agrocybe aegerita) are small to medium-sized mushrooms that grow in clusters, with dark brown caps and slender, firm stems. Also called black poplar mushrooms or velvet pioppini, they have a mild, nutty flavour and a pleasantly chewy texture that holds up well in cooking.

In Italian cuisine, where they are particularly prized, pioppini are sautéed with garlic and olive oil, tossed through pasta, or added to risottos and soups. Their firm texture also makes them a good choice for stir-fries and braised dishes.

Pioppini can be found both wild — growing on decaying hardwood, particularly poplar trees — and commercially cultivated. They are increasingly available at farmers’ markets and specialty grocers in Australia.