MUSHROOMS VS MEAT: Mushrooms have “umami,” which is sometimes called the fifth taste (along with sweet, salt, sour and bitter). We have specific receptors for this taste, which is why mushrooms are such a great meat-replacement. But beyond that, mushrooms are better for us than meat in so many ways. They are packed full of vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins (which are important for energy) and zinc (which helps the immune system and plays a role in our sense of taste and smell); they’re also full of antioxidants and don’t contain any fat!