“We loved them. Thank you so much. My husband is the cook in our family and he prepared them beautifully with garlic.”
CHEREE DAVIDSON
Elm Oyster Mushrooms
The elm oyster mushroom, known scientifically as Hypsizygus ulmarius, is a prized culinary and potentially medicinal fungus.
Characteristics of Elm Oyster Mushrooms
COLOR
Bright white to beige, sometimes developing tan shades with age.
SHAPE
Unlike true oysters, elm oysters have a more classic mushroom shape with a round cap and central stem.
SIZE
Medium-sized, with caps reaching 6-15 cm (2.5-6 inches) in diameter and stems 5-10 cm (2-4 inches) long.
STEM
Firm and usually curved, often growing off-center from the cap. Refer to MUSHROOM STEMS below for more information.
SHELF LIFE
Best used freshly picked but has a relatively long shelf life, lasting up to 10 days in the refrigerator if stored properly.
FLAVOR
Milder than true oysters, with a slightly sweet and nutty taste that intensifies when cooked, developing umami and even seafood-like notes.
TEXTURE
Dense and meaty, offering a satisfying chew, making it an excellent meat substitute.
AROMA
Faintly mushroomy with a pleasant earthiness.
SELECTION
Firm, unblemished and healthy looking mushrooms make the best choice while purchasing.
STORAGE
They will keep up to seven days when stored in a dry place such as a paper bag in the refrigerator.
You can wrap the oyster mushrooms in a damp (not wet) paper towel before putting it in the paper bag. (This stops them from drying out). Keep the mushrooms at the bottom of the fridge with the other veggies where it isn’t as cold as in the rest of the fridge.
Mushrooms tend to release moisture, which both paper bags and paper towels can absorb with ease, preventing them from going bad.
Remember don’t store your fresh mushrooms in airtight containers. This causes condensation, which will turn the mushrooms soggy.
CLEANING
Organically & sustainably cultivated oyster mushrooms should not need washing. Gently clean each mushroom with a damp cloth. If you have a lot of oyster mushrooms you can rinse them, but be careful not to rinse for too long as they can become water logged which will dilute the flavour.
RAW
You can eat oyster mushrooms raw if it is what you prefer. It is certainly faster and more convenient to eat mushrooms raw instead of having to cook them. Raw mushrooms are less soft and tend to have a more spongy texture than their cooked counterparts. A much stronger and earthier taste than cooked mushrooms is also characteristic of raw mushrooms.
Note that the cell walls of mushrooms contain chitin (the same material found in the shells of crabs and lobsters) – making raw mushrooms difficult for humans to digest and extract nutrients from.
Even though the chitin, glucans, and proteins present in the cell wall, are a good source of dietary fiber when eaten raw – you do miss out on the added nutrition mushrooms offer when cooked.
Mushrooms also contain sugars that are difficult to digest. Therefore, eating mushrooms can cause gas because the small intestine does not fully digest these sugars. Instead, it undergoes fermentation in the large intestine.
MUSHROOM STEMS
Some mushroom stems are very good to eat, and in certain species, like king oysters and enoki mushrooms, the stem is the most desired part of the mushroom. Chanterelle, black trumpet, porcini, cremini, chestnut, portabella, and white button mushrooms also have delicious stems that are good to eat.
Mushroom stems have the same delicious flavor as the caps, but are often not as tender as they’re high in fiber. This characteristic makes them useful for flavoring soups and broths as you can cook them for longer than mushroom caps.
If you find the stems a little chewy for your taste, chop or slice them thinly and fry or cook slightly longer than the caps.
PREPARATION
Most Oyster species grow in large clusters, forming multiple shelf-like fruit bodies, all folding over one another.
Tearing mushrooms preserves the muscle-like fibers and provides a much better texture on cooking. Even the thick fleshy stems can be torn into fleshy chunks resembling the texture of the caps.
All types of mushrooms are healthier and more nutritious when cooked. Cooking mushrooms helps to significantly increase the content of polyphenols and antioxidants.
Avoid boiling mushrooms, as some of the nutrients of the mushroom will leach out into the water. It also results in your mushrooms having a more soggy texture.
It is best not to overcook oyster mushrooms as this can make them tough and rubbery.
USES
Versatile and delicious, elm oysters can be grilled, roasted, sautéed, stir-fried, or used in soups and stews. Shred them for a pulled-pork-like texture or slice them thick for meaty steaks offering a delicious and nutritious alternative to meat.
PRESERVATION
Preserving fresh mushrooms will extend the shelf life and expand the flavor profile. Some methods preserve the mushroom’s original taste and texture, but others change the consistency and flavor.
Preserve your fresh mushrooms to allow you to enjoy the nutritional and medicinal benefits for longer.
Nutritional Value of Oyster Mushrooms
Note that mushroom research is active, and nutritional information can vary by species and even within the same variety. For the most accurate info and safe consumption, consult a registered dietitian or qualified healthcare professional familiar with medicinal mushrooms.
Pink oyster mushrooms, like their other oyster mushroom cousins, are a nutritious and delicious edible fungus. Here’s a breakdown of their nutritional value per 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of raw pink oyster mushrooms:
- CALORIES: 33 / 2% of Daily Value
- FAT: 0.4 grams / 2% of Daily Value
- CARBOHYDRATES: 6.1 grams / 3% of Daily Value
- FIBER: 2.3 grams / 9% of Daily Value
- PROTEIN: 3.3 grams / 6% of Daily Value
- SODIUM: 11 mg / 0.46% of Daily Value
- VITAMIN B1 / THIAMIN 0.1 mg / 8% of Daily Value
- VITAMIN B2 / RIBOFLAVIN: 0.4 mg / 24% of Daily Value
- VITAMIN B3 / NIACIN: 2.9 mg / 15% of Daily Value
- VITAMIN B5 / PANTOTHENIC ACID: 1.1 mg / 11% of Daily Value
- VITAMIN B6: 0.1 mg / 5% of Daily Value
- COPPER: 0.3 mg / 13% of Daily Value
- POTASSIUM: 368 mg / 8% of Daily Value
- IRON: 1.2 mg / 6% of Daily Value
- PHOSPHORUS: 0.175 mg / 14% of Daily Value
- ZINC: 0.66 mg 6% of Daily Value
- In addition to the above, oyster mushrooms also contain smaller amounts of other nutrients, including vitamin D, selenium, and choline.
- Overall, oyster mushrooms are a low-calorie, low-fat, and nutrient-rich food that can be a healthy addition to your diet.