Are mushrooms considered vegetables?

A mushroom is a fungus and fungi are not vegetables. Vegetables are grown from seeds and rely on sunlight for growth. Mushrooms are grown from microscopic spores in a dark environment.

A vegetable is an edible part of a plant, including stems, roots, leaves and flower buds that can be cooked or eaten raw. Mushrooms can also be eaten raw or cooked and are used for food preparation in the same ways that vegetables are.

Common varieties of mushrooms include white button, Porcini, shiitake and portobello. Mushrooms should be cleaned with water or a damp cloth before preparing or eating. Mushrooms can be stored in the freezer after cooking or in a paper bag in the refrigerator to retain freshness.