Submitted by Johnkurveen t3_121pbvz in askscience
Ok so I watched a video recently that explained how mushrooms use chitin as their structure, and it doesn't break down until 400C/750F. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyOoHtv442Y
That's quite hot, and most people don't have the ability to cook above those temperatures, sure. What happens if you did cook mushrooms hot enough to break down the chitin, though?
I did some googling, didn't see anything, but feel free to link any articles that do answer the question.
Edit: The summary so far is that they would almost certainly burn if done in the presence of oxygen, and pressure cooking would take ridiculous amounts of pressure. Sounds like wrapping some in steel foil and putting them in a pizza oven could work?