Oyster mushrooms are a type of edible fungi. They are one of the most widely consumed mushrooms in the world. They get their name from their oyster-shaped cap and very short (or completely absent) stem. -They’re also similar to the color of raw oysters. Oyster mushrooms are typically a light grey or greyish-brown color. -However, they come in several other colors including yellow and pink! They are one of the easiest types of mushrooms to grow, due to their fast growth, wide variety of po​tential substrates and tolerance to growing conditions. -Interested to see a Oyster mushroom farm in action? Check out this short tour inside our low tech mushroom farm: What Do Oyster Mushrooms Taste Like? -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. When Are Oyster Mushrooms In Season? -In the wild, you can find oyster mushrooms in the fall. The best time is after the first frost of the year, or after other big weather changes like the first hot weekend of spring. -Commercial growers are harvesting oyster mushrooms all year round, so they’re always available as long as your supermarket is stocking them. -Most oyster mushrooms are grown indoors under controlled conditions, so there is no good or bad season as with some other crops. Where Can I Find Wild Oyster Mushrooms? In nature, oyster mushrooms form clusters called shelves on rotting or fallen logs. So if you find one, you’ll often find a whole bunch close together. Cultivated oyster mushrooms tend to grow more individually, but will still often form large clusters. Look for logs, fallen trees, or dead standing trees as potential homes for oyster mushrooms. Be sure to check underneath trees that have fallen over as well, as oysters often prefer to grow in the shade. They tend to particularly like growing on oak and beech trees in old, leafy, open forests. Oyster mushrooms grow very quickly. You’ll need to find them while they’re still young or they could be quite leathery and not worth eating. Different Types Of Oyster Mushrooms 1) Pearl Oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus) 2) Blue Oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus var. columbinus) 3) Golden Oyster (Pleurotus citrinopileatus) 4) Pink Oyster (Pleurotus salmoneo stramineus) 5) Phoenix Oyster (Pleurotus pulmonarius) 6) King Oyster (Pleurotus eryngii) How to Store Oyster Mushrooms -Like all mushrooms, oysters are delicate and can spoil quickly if stored improperly. -Due to their flat shape, they have a large surface area and can dry out quite quickly. -For this reason I’d recommend storing oyster mushrooms in the refrigerator in plastic bags. Or place them on a plate with a dry paper towel underneath them and wrap them in plastic wrap. -Some people prefer to store oyster mushrooms in paper bags, but I feel like they will dry out within a couple of days if stored this way. -If you find several pounds of oyster mushrooms out in the wild, you’ll want to freeze or dry them so they will store better. -To freeze oyster mushrooms, boil them for approximately 3 minutes. Then rinse them with cold water, drain them thoroughly, and seal them in freezer bags. To dry oyster mushrooms, preheat your oven to 150 degrees F. Cut your mushrooms into slices about half a centimeter thick and arrange them on baking trays. Bake for an hour, then turn your mushrooms over and bake them for a second hour. If they aren’t completely dry, flip them and give them another 30 minutes at a time until dry. Let them cool to room temperature, and then store them in an airtight container. You can rehydrate your oyster mushrooms by putting them in a bowl of warm water. However for most dishes, oyster mushrooms don’t need to be soaked before use. Just add them right to your recipe and they should soak up all the liquid they need within a couple of minutes. Cooking With Oyster Mushrooms -Oyster mushrooms are great sautéed and eaten on their own as a side dish, or incorporated into a stir fry recipe. -When cooking them, be sure to leave extra space for moisture to cook off. Don’t overcrowd them or they’ll become soggy and steam rather than truly sautée. -Oyster mushrooms also go great in soups and stews. -Some people even bread or batter oyster mushrooms in flour and fry them to create deep fried mushrooms. -They make a great pizza topping or ingredient in pasta sauces. Basically anything you’d use button or portobello mushrooms for. -I would advise against eating oyster mushrooms raw, as they tend to have a slightly metallic flavor in their raw state. They also develop their velvety texture once cooked which is much more pleasant in the mouth.