Produce
Mushrooms
Mushrooms are grown indoors on composted substrate, which limits field spray exposure and keeps residue evidence low-to-moderate. They are also the only common food that makes vitamin D when exposed to UV light.
Organic upgrade priority
Conventional is a reasonable budget choice
Score 16/100 · about $2.00 a week extra for a household of two
- →Conventional samples index 28/100 against 6/100 for organic — a 22-point difference.
- →At about 3 servings a week, the difference applies to a smaller share of what you eat.
- →Sample confidence is moderate, so the score is weighted down by 10%.
Key numbers
- Residue evidence
- 28/100
- Moderate residue evidence
- Nutrient density
- 72/100
- Per calorie, across the whole database
- Typical price
- $2.99
- per 8 oz package · organic +33%
- Servings a week
- 3
- Per person, at typical purchase volume
- Samples
- 1,337
- Conventional, 2022–2023 · 75 organic
- Data confidence
- Moderate
- Set from sample size and year coverage
Organic vs conventional mushrooms
| Measure | Conventional | Organic |
|---|---|---|
| Samples analysed | 1,337 | 75 |
| Program years | 2022–2023 | 2022–2023 |
| Samples with any residue | 67% | 17% |
| Mean residues per sample | 1.0 | 0.2 |
| Samples above the EPA tolerance | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Relative residue evidence index | 28/100 | 6/100 |
| Typical price | $2.99 / 8 oz package | $3.99 / 8 oz package |
Nutrition
Per 1 cup sliced (70 g).
15
calories
2.2 g
protein
0.7 g
fiber
—
sugar
- Selenium 12% DV
- Riboflavin 22% DV
- Vitamin D if UV-treated
How to wash mushrooms
A brief rinse is fine — the old advice about mushrooms soaking up water is overstated. What matters is drying them before they hit the pan, or they steam instead of browning.
Washing reduces surface residue and soil. It does not remove systemic compounds taken up into the plant, and no soap, vinegar, or commercial produce wash has been shown to beat 30 seconds of plain running water by a margin worth paying for. Full washing guide.
Buying and storing
- ◆Leaving sliced mushrooms gill-side up in direct sun for 15 minutes generates a meaningful dose of vitamin D2 — the same trick commercial UV-treated mushrooms use.
- ◆Store them in the paper bag, not plastic. Trapped moisture is what turns them slimy.
Common questions
›Should I buy organic mushrooms?
Probably not, if money is tight. Mushrooms indexes 28/100 on relative residue evidence against 6/100 for organic — a difference small enough that the same dollars buy far more on leafy greens or berries.
›Are mushrooms high in pesticides?
Mushrooms shows moderate residue evidence — an index of 28/100 relative to other commodities. Across 1,337 conventional samples from 2022–2023, 67% contained at least one detected residue, averaging 1.0 distinct compounds per sample, and 0.00% exceeded the applicable EPA tolerance. A detection is not the same as an unsafe level.
›How much more does organic mushrooms cost?
About 33% more at typical U.S. retail — $2.99 per 8 oz package conventional against $3.99 organic. For a household of 2 at normal purchase volume that is roughly $2.00 a week.
›How should I wash mushrooms?
A brief rinse is fine — the old advice about mushrooms soaking up water is overstated. What matters is drying them before they hit the pan, or they steam instead of browning.
Related foods
Spinach
$3.29 / 5 oz container · organic $4.49
Kale
$2.79 / bunch · organic $3.79
Broccoli
$2.49 / lb · organic $3.69
Bell peppers
$1.49 / each · organic $2.29