Fresh Oyster Mushrooms
where to buy oyster mushrooms Our fresh blue oyster mushrooms are small, satiny, blue-hued mushrooms with white stems. They are more solid and flavorful than most other oyster varieties. Generally, they are sweet to the taste, shrink a little, and hold their shape and springiness when briefly cooked. Now cultivated commercially all over the world, fresh oyster mushrooms were first grown as an emergency food source in Germany during World War I. Considering that this mushroom was only eaten out of necessity, the Germans could have eaten much worse. Oyster mushrooms are chock-full of nutrients and flavor and are regarded as one of the easiest mushrooms to grow.
Other Names: Hiratake (Japanese for “flat mushroom”), Pleurotus ostreatus
Season: Year-round
Origin: Oregon, USA
Shelf Life: Up to ten days fresh. A year or longer sliced & dried. Several months froze.
Nutritional Facts: While oyster mushrooms may have less protein and iron than the oysters of the sea, they also have way fewer calories, sodium, cholesterol, carbohydrates, and fat. Additionally, 100 grams of oyster mushrooms are a great source of dietary fiber (9% RDA*), Vitamins B2 (21% RDA) and B3 (25% RDA), and copper, phosphorous, and potassium (12% RDA each). Fiber aids with digestion, B Vitamins convert food into energy, copper produces red blood cells, phosphorous is similar to calcium and helps build strong bones, and potassium lowers blood pressure. With oyster mushrooms in your diet, you’re sure to feel great and be at the top of your game.
Scientific Facts: Oyster mushrooms are often grown on sawdust-based blocks, but they will grow on almost any dried plant matter, including cotton, straw, hemp, paper products, and even used coffee grounds. In the wild, oysters are found growing on dead and decaying trees. This is because they are saprotrophs, meaning they feed off of decaying matter. They’re also well known for their ability to consume both nematodes and bacteria, making them one of the few carnivorous fungi. They’ve even been shown to inhibit E. coli and staph. Their scientific name, Pleurotus ostreatus has a simple yet descriptive meaning. Pleaurotus, meaning “sideways”, refers to the way their stems grow sideways in relation to their caps, while ostreatus translates to oyster, the sea creature that resembles the shape and flavor of the mushroom’s caps.
Tips: Blue oyster mushrooms are great for stir-fries, but be sure to cook them gently because while they can take the heat, they might lose their flavor and appearance if cooked too long. Their thick texture and unique flavor also make them a perfect stand-in for bivalves in any seafood dish. Clean gently with a damp paper towel or soft-bristled brush to remove debris before cooking.
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*Recommended daily amounts are based on a 2,000-calorie per day diet.
Recipe:
Good Old Farmers Market Mushroom Sauce
-Don’t panic- this takes a lot of butter, but it is not wasted.
-Melt on low in a saucepan- 1 stick of salted butter or more for more tender mushrooms- you can pour off the excess after the dish is done & save for another recipe.
– Add to melted butter:
1 Lb. whole Oyster, shiitake, or wild mushrooms if they are small. If not, slice up. It’s ok to use the stem, too.
¾ Tablespoon Sweet Basil
1 Tablespoon Chopped Garlic (+/- to taste)
¼ teaspoon ground Black Pepper
¼ cup white sweet Wine; red wine ok if you want the dryer flavor
– Thoroughly coat mushrooms, place a lid on the pan and cook on low to medium heat for at least 10 min., or more if you like softer mushrooms. Serve over steak, chicken, or pasta…or just by themselves as a special treat. where to buy oyster mushrooms
