by Reed Mangels, PhD, RD

Dole Portobello Mushroom Powder’s ingredient listing is a quick read – Portobello mushrooms. Mushrooms naturally contain a small amount of vitamin D. Dole exposed mushrooms to ultraviolet light in order to increase the amount of vitamin D in the mushrooms. By drying the vitamin D-rich mushrooms and grinding them into a powder, Dole has created a concentrated source of vitamin D. The mushrooms are a source of vitamin D2, the vegan form of vitamin D. One teaspoon of the mushroom powder provides 600 IU of vitamin D – enough to meet the recommendations for vitamin D for children and for adults age 70 and younger (1-1/3 teaspoons of the powder would supply 800 IU of vitamin D – the recommendation for adults older than 70). The mushroom powder can be easily added to hummus, soups, grain dishes, salad dressings, and sauces where it adds a mild mushroom flavor. In a seitan roast, the mushroom powder did not markedly change the taste but was a convenient way to supply the day’s worth of vitamin D. The mushroom powder was more evident in High “D” Hummus Dip (recipe available at http://www.dole.com/EatRightLanding/EatRightRecipe/RecipeDetail/tabid/596/Default.aspx?contentid=13089) which was delicious but tasted more like a mushroom and onion spread than hummus. I’d bet this would be great on rye bread or crackers.

The limited-supply vitamin D mushroom powder can be ordered online at www.doledepot.com in both 2 oz. and 3.5 oz.bottles. To learn more, visit www.dole.com or write to Dole Food Company, One Dole Drive, Westlake Village, CA 91362-7300.