Oyster Mushroom

Oyster Mushroom Spawn

Pleurotus ostreatus, the oyster mushroom or oyster fungus, is a common edible mushroom. It was first cultivated in Germany as a subsistence measure during World War and is now grown commercially around the world for food. It is related to the similarly cultivated king blue oyster mushroom. Oyster Mushroom Spawn can also be used industrially for mycoremediation purposes.

The blue oyster mushroom is one of the more commonly sought wild mushrooms, though it can also be cultivated on straw and other media. It has the bittersweet aroma of benzaldehyde (which is also characteristic of bitter almonds).

Pink oyster mushroom | Blue oyster mushroom

Oyster mushrooms are the mushroom you need to be eating more of. They’re packed with nutrition, quick to cook and make for the best vegetarian pulled pork substitute (step aside, jackfruit). Let’s talk about pink oyster mushrooms!

Type of Oyster Mushrooms

While there are many varieties of oyster mushrooms, the two most common types that you are likely to find in a supermarket are:

• Pearl Oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus): These are tender and small, with almost no stem.
• King Oyster (Pleurotus eryngii): These have thick white stems and small flat caps, with a heartier, more meaty texture than other oyster mushrooms (pictured below)
• blue oyster mushroom

What Do Oyster Mushrooms Taste Like?

Oyster Mushroom Spores

The taste of oyster mushrooms is very mild, and some describe it as subtly woody or like seafood. What makes this mushroom so unique is its texture. Both pearl and king oyster mushrooms can have a very meaty texture when prepared properly! Oyster Mushroom Spawn

Where To Buy Oyster Mushrooms

Depending on where you are, blue oyster mushrooms can be tricky to find. Asian supermarkets will almost always carry oyster mushrooms, with natural food grocers also sometimes carrying them. If you live in an area with a large Asian immigrant population (like here in the Netherlands), your neighborhood grocery store may also carry them!

How To Store Oyster Mushrooms | Oyster mushroom kit

Store oyster mushrooms in a loosely closed plastic bag in the fridge, where they should stay fresh for 5 to 7 days.

How To Clean Oyster Mushrooms

Oyster mushrooms usually grow on wood, so they probably haven’t been in contact with dirt and shouldn’t need mush washing. Gently clean each mushroom with a damp cloth. If you have a lot of oyster mushrooms you can rinse them, but be careful not to rinse for too long as they can become waterlogged. Oyster Mushroom Spawn, oyster mushroom grain spawn

Oyster Mushroom Recipes

I love using oyster mushrooms to replace meat in many vegetarian recipes. Here are a few of my favorite ways to cook with them!