Difference Between Crimini and Portobello Mushrooms
Even if two ingredients appear to be similar, you shouldn’t always swap them, but if you know the difference, you can better decide which one to use. For example, crimini mushrooms and portobello mushrooms are two ingredients that seem similar, and in fact, the main difference is age.
Kelly Foster, writing for The Kitchn , explains how age makes two mushrooms taste similar but useful for very different uses:
Cremini and Portobello mushrooms are dark brown in color and have a smooth head and a deep savory taste. Despite the difference in diameter, these mushrooms look and taste very similar – and for good reason. The difference between the two brown mushrooms is age. Portobello mushrooms are simply the mature version of cremini mushrooms, harvested when they are fully grown.
Because portobellos have more time to grow, they have less moisture than criminals and a stronger earthy mushroom flavor. Portobello also has a meaty texture that works well for some dishes like hamburger topping or sliced into strips. However, if you are going to finely chop the mushroom, such as in a pasta sauce, you should opt for crimini as you don’t need the meaty texture of portobello and you can get more criminality in the package than portobello.
What is the difference between cremini and portobello mushrooms? | Kitchen