Straw mushroom. A sought-after species of edible mushroom cultivated throughout East and Southeast Asia and used extensively in Asian cuisines. Straw mushrooms are grown on rice straw beds and picked immature, before the caps open.
Crowberry. A berry rather similar to cranberries but with a black skin, found growing on a shrub in the hills of northern Europe.
The blusher. The one problem with this mushroom is that, whilst edible itself, it closely resembles others that are poisonous, including the death cap. It must be cooked as it contains a toxin which is destroyed by heat, like kidney beans. The most identifiable thing about it is that this reddish brown mushroom with pinkish grey scales and a white stem colours pink to red at sites of damage or bruising. The gills and flesh are white, also becoming red or pink on bruising. It is most commonly found in beech woods in summer to late autumn (US: fall). Also look closely at the ring on the stem. This should have lots of fine grooves on its upper side, unlike another poisonous mushroom which it closely resembles, the panther cap.
Red pickled ginger. This popular garnish is made from ginger root which is cut into wafer-thin slices and pickled in salt and then again in a vinegar mixture. Traditionally red perilla is used to produce its characteristic deep red colour. It is served with sushi and such dishes as okonomiyaki (fried-batter "pancakes" mixed with a wide variety of vegetables, seafood or meats) and with rice dishes.
