Varieties
Mushroom 101 Menu
Variety: Oyster
Delicately Delicious
Velvety to the touch and dense in texture, these colorful mushrooms can be found in gray, yellow, pink and blue.
Sparking the imagination of renowned chefs and amateur home cooks alike, oyster mushrooms are both a visual and flavorful wonder. Their botanical name, Pleurotus osreatus, translates to "sideways oyster" referring to their unique shape. They grow in clusters, which can be seared 'chicken under a brick' style whole - remarkably producing a juicy steak-like entree - or torn into individual stems for incorporation as an ingredient in any variety of mushroom dishes.
Common Names:
Tree Mushrooms, Abalone Mushrooms
Botanical Names:
Pleurotus osreatus
Flavor and texture
Oyster mushrooms are often described as ‘briny’ or having a delicate seafood flavor. Their texture is velvety and dense, and when pan seared, their edges turn deliciously crisp.
Usage
Burger
Pickled
Pizza
Roast
Saute
Handling
At the grocery store, select oyster mushroom clusters that are firm with a fresh, smooth appearance. The surface of the mushroom should be dry, but not dried out, and appear plump. Oyster mushrooms can be found in a rainbow of colors including blue, yellow, pink, and brown/gray. Store mushrooms in original packaging or in a porous paper bag for prolonged shelf life. Some mushrooms may keep for up to a week in the refrigerator. Fresh mushrooms should never be frozen, but frozen sautéed mushrooms will keep for up to one month. To clean mushrooms, brush off any debris from mushrooms with fingers or a damp paper towel, or rinse briefly under running water and pat dry with a paper towel. Note that the entire mushroom is edible from cap to stem!
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