Blue oyster mushroom

Blue Oyster mushroom, the common name for the species Pleurotus ostreatus, are one of the most common types of cultivated mushrooms in the world. They’re also known as pearl oyster mushrooms or tree oyster mushrooms. The Funghi grow naturally on and near trees in temperate and subtropic forests around the world, and they’re grown commercially in many countries. Blue oyster mushroom is eaten in a variety of cuisines and are especially popular in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cooking. They can be dried and are typically eaten cooked.

Pleurotus ostreatus

What Are Oyster Mushrooms?

Oyster mushrooms are beloved the world over for their delicate texture and mild, savory flavor. The Blue oyster mushroom typically has broad, thin, oyster- or fan-shaped caps and are white, gray, or tan, with gills lining the underside. The caps are sometimes frilly-edged and can be found in clusters of small mushrooms or individually as larger mushrooms. Oyster mushrooms are more expensive than white button mushrooms but less so than rarer mushrooms like morels and take little prep since they can be used whole or chopped. They are even used to make mycelium furniture and many other products.

Golden oyster mushrooms

How to Cook With Oyster Mushrooms

• Like all mushrooms, oyster mushrooms act almost like sponges, soaking up any water they come into contact with. Don’t leave them sitting in water, even for the sake of cleaning them. Cultivated oyster mushrooms usually don’t need much cleaning simply wipe off any bits here or there with a dry paper towel. A damp paper towel can be used on extra dirty mushrooms.
• Cleaned mushrooms can be sautéed, stir-fried, braised, roasted, fried, or grilled. Use the mushrooms whole, sliced, or simply torn into appropriately sized pieces.
• While you can eat oyster mushrooms raw and they can be quite pretty added to salads, they tend to have a slightly metallic flavor when uncooked. Cooking brings out their delicate flavor, turning their spongy texture into something uniquely velvety. We recommend using oyster mushrooms for cooked dishes and using button mushrooms for salads and other raw dishes.
• Dried oyster mushrooms don’t need to be soaked to be rehydrated the way other dried mushrooms do just add them to the dish, and they will soak up liquid right away.

Type Of Oyster Mushrooms

While there are many varieties of oyster mushroom gills, 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 blue oyster mushroom.

What Do Oyster Mushrooms Taste Like?

The taste of blue 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!

Where To Buy Oyster Mushrooms

Depending on where you are, oyster mushroom gills 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 psychedelic drug store may also carry them!

How To Store Oyster Mushrooms

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