oyster mushrooms

 

Pic1-3: oyster mushrooms in the forest

Oyster mushrooms are imo one of the most beautiful mushrooms and I always enjoy the experience when I find them. Their natural environment is temperate forest where they grow on tree trunks, logs and even in cracks in the rocks. Once the mycelium starts fruiting, the hoods stack themselves on top of each other and they can occupy an enormous volume.

Back in Belgium they have been commercialized since the 1980s and I bought them regularly there. They are delicious to eat, with a very pleasant taste, especially when poached / sautéed in butter.

When cooked, oyster mushrooms have a smooth oyster-like texture and a some say a slight hint of seafood flavor. This may also contribute to their name. It’s not uncommon for people to also describe oyster mushrooms as having a subtle anise flavor. Both flavors are very subtle though, and are usually undetectable once the mushrooms are incorporated into a dish. Overall they have a very mild flavor with a slight earthy note. (source)

Here in the US desert, they're only available canned through online order and compared to the real thing, they hardly have any flavor at all.

But good news: they are available on the internet as 'home growing kits.' I already ordered one.

growing oyster mushrooms at home

 

Pic3-6: growing oyster mushrooms at home

Oyster mushrooms are widely acknowledged as the easiest (i.e. most forgiving) mushroom to be grown by beginners. They are strong growers that are happy in just about anything organic, including straw, sawdust, coffee grounds and even carton.