What Are Oyster shrooms?
Oyster mushrooms are beloved the world over for their delicate texture and mild, savory flavor. The mushrooms typically have 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 shrooms 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.
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What Do Oyster shrooms Taste Like?
Oyster shrooms tend to have a subtle, savory anise flavor. Because their flavor is mild, without the strong earthiness of some mushroom varieties, they work well in a range of different dishes. Oyster shrooms also take on a tender, pleasing texture when cooked. Cooking methods like frying, roasting, and grilling can retain more texture in the mushrooms while braising and sautéing makes them softer.
Oyster shroom Recipes
One of the most popular ways to cook O. mushrooms is to stir-fry or sauté them. This requires a preheated hot pan, a small amount of liquid, and stirring. Make sure to give them space so their moisture can cook off, that way they will truly sauté rather than steam. Serve as a side dish or use in sauces, stir-fries, pastas, risotto, or even to top toast.
Because they get so silky when cooked, oyster shrooms respond well to braising, too. Add them to soups and stews or sauces. The mushrooms can also be grilled whole on skewers, roasted, or dredged in a crispy coating and deep-fried.
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Where to Buy Oyster shrooms
Since most commercially available oyster shrooms are cultivated in greenhouses, they tend to be available all year round. They are sometimes sold loose by the ounce but are more often sold packaged or bagged for a set price. They sometimes appear at major supermarkets in the produce section, and fresh and dried mushrooms can often be found at Asian markets. Wild varieties are in season during the fall.
Look for mushrooms or clusters of mushrooms with a bright, springy texture and no wilted or dark spots. These spots indicate the mushrooms have soaked up moisture and started to go bad. Dried mushrooms should be in an airtight container and mostly whole with a pleasant aroma.
When foraging for oyster shrooms, look for clusters on dying or fallen beech trees. Young mushrooms are best, and American foragers should avoid yellowish lookalikes which are poisonous.
How to Store Oyster shrooms
Water is the greatest enemy of oyster shrooms. Store them in a loose paper bag (not plastic) in the fridge for up to three days. They are delicate and will start to wilt and become dry and tough the longer they sit and wait to be eaten.
Dried mushrooms should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to one year. Cooked mushrooms will keep for up to three days in the refrigerator or can be frozen for up to three months. We do not recommend freezing raw mushrooms since the moisture breaks down their delicate texture.
7 Impressive Benefits of Oyster shrooms
Oyster shrooms, or Pleurotus species, are a group of gilled mushrooms. While mushrooms are classified as fungi, which are technically different from plants, they are a great addition to any meat-free diet.
There are around 40 types of oyster shrooms, including Pleurotus ostreatus (or P. ostreatus), commonly known as the American oyster mushroom. All types are edible and are commonly enjoyed in dishes like pasta and stir-fries
They’re known for their impressive health-promoting properties and contain a variety of powerful compounds. In fact, they’ve been used in traditional medicine approaches for centuries
This article covers seven impressive benefits of oyster shrooms.
mushrooms are loaded with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other important nutrients. They’re also low in carbohydrates, so they’re a good choice for people following low carb dietary patterns.king oyster mushrooms
Here’s the nutritional content of 1 cup (86 grams) of raw P. ostreatus mushrooms
The mushrooms also contain smaller amounts of other nutrients, including vitamin D and selenium.
mushrooms are a good source of fiber, protein, and a variety of vitamins and minerals.tree oyster mushrooms
2. Source of antioxidants
mushrooms provide antioxidants, which are substances that help reduce cellular damage in your body
For example, seven phenolic compounds have been detected in P. ostreatus extracts, including gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, and naringenin — all of which act as antioxidants in your body
These mushrooms also contain the amino acid ergothioneine, which has powerful antioxidant effects
A 2007 study in rodents found that treatment with oyster mushroom extract improved antioxidant levels and lowered certain inflammatory markers, including malondialdehyde (MDA), in older rats
Similarly, a 2020 rat study observed that the extract showed antioxidant effects and helped reduce liver damage caused by toxic chemicals .king oyster mushrooms
What’s more, a 2016 test-tube study found that extract from gray oyster mushroom (Pleurotus pulmonarius) inhibited oxidative damage to human artery cells and prevented oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol, possibly thanks to the amino acid ergothioneine
Oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol is involved in the process of atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque in the arteries that can lead to heart disease
Although animal and test-tube studies suggest that oyster shrooms provide antioxidants and may protect against cellular damage, more research in humans is needed.
wild oyster mushrooms are a good source of antioxidants. According to test-tube and animal research, they may protect against cellular damage, but studies in humans are needed to confirm this.
3. May benefit heart health
mushrooms may promote heart health by reducing heart disease risk factors like high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
P. ostreatus is especially high in several compounds that benefit heart health, including fibers called beta-glucans
Beta-glucans are fermented by gut bacteria to produce short-chain fatty acids that can help reduce cholesterol production in your body. Interestingly, P. ostreatus provides twice as many beta-glucans as white button mushrooms (A. bisporus)
A small 2011 randomized control trial in 20 people found that eating a soup containing 30 grams of dried P. ostreatus for 21 days decreased triglycerides, total cholesterol, and oxidized LDL (bad) cholesterol levels compared with placebo treatment
Plus, a 2020 review of eight human studies found that P. ostreatus intake helped lower blood sugar, triglycerides, blood pressure, and insulin levels, all of which could decrease heart disease risk.
However, the authors acknowledged that all available studies have a high risk of bias and that future well-designed studies are needed to better understand how P. ostreatus intake may improve heart health
Some research suggests that eating oyster mushrooms may reduce heart disease risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol. However, more well-designed human studies are needed.
4. May promote blood sugar regulation
In addition to promoting heart health, mushrooms may help regulate blood sugar levels.
A study in 22 people with and without type 2 diabetes found that taking powdered P. ostreatus reduced post-meal blood sugar levels. The authors speculated that the mushrooms increased sugar use in body tissues while inhibiting certain blood sugar-increasing proteins .king oyster mushrooms
Similarly, a 2007 study in 30 hospitalized people with type 2 diabetes found that eating 150 grams of cooked P. ostreatus daily for 7 days reduced fasting blood sugar by 22% and post-meal blood sugar by an average of 23%
After participants had stopped the mushroom treatment for 1 week, fasting and post-meal blood sugar increased by an average of 13% and 20%, respectively. The treatment also significantly reduced participants’ blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels .blue oyster mushrooms
What’s more, a study in 27 men with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure found that treatment with 3 grams of powdered P. ostreatus powder per day for 3 months significantly reduced hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), a marker for long-term blood sugar control
A 2020 review suggested that these potential blood sugar-lowering effects may be attributed to the mushroom’s high concentration of beta-glucans, as this type of fiber slows down carbohydrate digestion and absorption
Studies in people with and without diabetes have found that oyster mushrooms may improve blood sugar levels and other aspects of health when taken as a supplement or consumed as part of the diet.
5. Immune-supportive benefits
mushrooms may support your immune system in several ways.
For example, pleuran — a type of beta-glucan fiber derived from P. ostreatus — has been shown to have immune-modulating properties. Plus, the mushrooms may boast antiviral and antibacterial effects.
In a 130-day study in 90 people with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), treatment with a combined pleuran, vitamin C, and zinc supplement improved HSV-1 symptoms and reduced the duration and severity of respiratory symptoms more than vitamin C alone .oyster mushrooms tesco
Pleuran treatment has also been shown to significantly improve symptoms in children with recurrent respiratory tract infections and significantly reduce the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections in athletes
Additionally, an 8-week study in 41 people found that compared with placebo, taking a daily oyster mushroom extract supplement heightened the immune system by activating interferon-γ (IFN-γ), a molecule that plays a critical role in protecting against infection
These dried oyster mushrooms have also been shown to have antiviral and antibacterial effects
However, studies focusing on the potential immune health-promoting properties of whole mushrooms — and not just extracts and supplements — are needed.
Researchers have speculated that certain extracts from mushrooms may support immune health. However, human studies focusing specifically on the immune benefits of eating the mushrooms are needed to learn more.
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6. Other potential benefits
In addition to the possible benefits listed above, research suggests mushrooms may promote health in other ways:blue oyster mushrooms
cooking with oyster mushrooms may have anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and gut health-promoting properties. However, more research is needed to confirm these potential benefits.
7. Versatile and delicious
In addition to offering potential health benefits, these mushrooms are prized for their culinary uses. All their parts are edible, including the caps, gills, and stems.
Here are a few ways to incorporate oyster mushrooms into your diet:
As you can see, they can be prepared in many ways, so don’t be afraid to try them in your favorite savory recipes.
types of oyster mushrooms are tasty and pair well with a variety of foods. Use them in meals like soups, stews, pasta dishes, and stir-fries.
drying oyster mushrooms are a popular type of mushroom linked to several health benefits.oyster mushrooms tesco
In addition to being highly nutritious, they may promote heart and immune system health, encourage healthy blood sugar control, and provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Try adding these versatile mushrooms to your diet by using them in dishes like pasta, stews, and omelets.
