Laura Smith
King oyster mushrooms, also known as king trumpet, French horn, eryngii, trumpet royale, and Kabul Dhingri, are a popular ingredient in Asian cuisines, including Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. They are native to the Mediterranean, Middle East, parts of Asia, and Europe. Prized for their meaty texture and unique taste, they are also a great source of vitamin D. When choosing king mushrooms, opt for those that are middle-sized and avoid the huge ones. They can be easily grown at home using a boxed grow kit, which is less expensive than buying them from the market.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Names | King Oyster Mushrooms, King Trumpet Mushrooms, Eryngi, Boletus of the Steppes, Kabul Dhingri, Trumpet Royale, French Horn Mushroom |
| Scientific Name | Pleurotus eryngii |
| Appearance | Thick white stems and small brown caps |
| Size | Large, up to 20 cm |
| Texture | Firm but tender, meaty |
| Taste | Distinctive, nutty, slightly chewy |
| Culinary Uses | The entire mushroom, including the stem, can be cooked. It can be sliced, fried, grilled, braised, steamed, or shredded. |
| Storage | Keep chilled to maintain freshness. Store in a paper bag in the refrigerator. |
| Cultivation | Grows on the roots of Sea Holly Plants (Eryngium sp.) and Ferula plant species. Can be cultivated using a grow kit or by sterilizing and inoculating a substrate. |
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What You'll Learn
- King oyster mushrooms are versatile and tasty, with a unique taste and texture
- They can be cultivated at home using a grow kit or from scratch
- King oyster mushrooms are native to the Mediterranean and popular in Asian cooking
- They are large, with thick stems and small brown caps
- King oyster mushrooms are best stored in the fridge in a paper bag or cardboard box
King oyster mushrooms are versatile and tasty, with a unique taste and texture
King oyster mushrooms are prized for their dense, chewy, meaty texture and umami flavour. They are a popular vegan alternative to meat and seafood, as their texture is comparable to scallops, abalone, calamari, and pulled pork. Their thick stems can be sliced into rounds and pan-seared like scallops, or shredded and braised to resemble pulled pork. They can also be sliced lengthwise and threaded onto skewers, or chopped and served in pasta dishes, casseroles, meatballs, meatloaf, or tempura.
King oyster mushrooms are also known as trumpet mushrooms, French horn mushrooms, king trumpet, eryngii, trumpet royale, ivory portabella, king brown mushrooms, boletus of the steppes, and aliʻi oyster. They are distinct from oyster mushrooms, which have short stems and fan-shaped caps with frills underneath. Oyster mushrooms also have a milder, sweeter flavour than king oyster mushrooms.
When choosing king oyster mushrooms, it is best to avoid those in plastic packaging, as the trapped moisture can cause them to spoil. Instead, look for loose mushrooms or those packaged in cardboard or paper. Fresh king oyster mushrooms should be firm, dense, and springy to the touch, and they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to ten days. They can also be frozen for up to three months, although this may impair their flavour.
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They can be cultivated at home using a grow kit or from scratch
King oyster mushrooms can be cultivated at home using a grow kit or from scratch. The fastest and easiest way to grow king oyster mushrooms is to get a boxed grow kit. In these kits, the growing medium is already inoculated. All you have to do is spritz with water, ensure there is enough humidity, and wait a few weeks.
Growing king oyster mushrooms at home is rewarding, and the mushrooms will be fresher and more flavorful than store-bought ones. However, it is a more involved process than using a kit and requires some initial setup. To grow king oyster mushrooms from scratch, you will need to sterilize and inoculate a substrate, create a growing area/room, and provide the right conditions for the mushrooms to fruit.
One method for growing king oyster mushrooms at home involves using cardboard squares and mushroom spawn. Place 10 mushroom spawn on a piece of cardboard, sprinkling them evenly near the edges. Stack the squares on top of each other, placing spawn on each layer, and continue building layers until you run out of cardboard. Place the cardboard squares and spawn into a garbage bag and store it in a warm, dark place like a cabinet to help the spawn colonize more quickly. Keep the bag in an area between 50–65 °F (10–18 °C) and maintain humidity to create the perfect environment for mushrooms.
Another method for growing king oyster mushrooms at home is to use supplemented hardwood sawdust in autoclavable grow bags. Supplement the sawdust with wheat bran at 10-15%. King oyster mushrooms will also grow well on straw, although the yield will be reduced. Cultivators report that king oyster mushrooms grown on hardwood sawdust have a longer shelf life and better texture than those grown on straw. For outdoor cultivation, garden beds can be used.
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King oyster mushrooms are native to the Mediterranean and popular in Asian cooking
King oyster mushrooms, also known as king trumpet mushrooms, French horn mushrooms, eryngii, and trumpet royale, are native to the Mediterranean, Middle East, and North Africa. They are widely cultivated in East Asia, particularly in China, Japan, and Korea, where they are popular ingredients in local cuisines.
King oyster mushrooms are prized for their meaty texture, rich umami taste, and long shelf life. They are also a good source of vitamin D and B vitamins. This variety of mushroom is large, growing up to 8 inches long and 2 inches in diameter, with thick, bright white stalks and rounded brown caps. Unlike other mushrooms, whose stems become tough and woody, king oyster mushroom stems remain firm and dense and are completely edible. They can be sliced into rounds and sautéed, resembling sea scallops in texture and appearance, which is why they are sometimes called "vegan scallops".
When choosing king oyster mushrooms, look for those with bright white stalks and tan or brown caps. They are usually sold in plastic packaging, but this is not ideal for storage as the trapped moisture can cause them to turn slimy and spoil. It is best to use them right away or transfer them to a paper bag and store them in the refrigerator, where they will keep for up to 10 days.
King oyster mushrooms can be prepared in various ways as a meat and seafood alternative. They can be sliced lengthwise, threaded onto skewers, and prepared like satay chicken. Their stems can also be shredded and braised, resembling pulled pork. They are commonly used in stir-fries, pasta dishes, tempura, casseroles, meatballs, and meatloaf. In Asian cooking, king oyster mushrooms are often fried in crispy tempura batter, grilled, or used in stir-fries.
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They are large, with thick stems and small brown caps
King oyster mushrooms are aptly named, as they are the largest of the oyster mushrooms. They can grow up to 20cm and have a chunky white stem and rounded brown cap. The stems are highly desirable for culinary uses, as they are firm but tender and can be sliced and cooked, unlike the woody stalks of some other mushrooms.
When choosing king oyster mushrooms, it is best to opt for the middle-sized ones and avoid the huge ones. They should have thick stems and small brown caps, only slightly wider than the stems. The caps should be rounded, not flat. If you are buying loose mushrooms from a market, keep them in the paper bag they came in to absorb any moisture released during refrigeration. If you buy them in a box from a supermarket, remove the cellophane and keep them in the cardboard container. They should be stored in the fridge, out of direct sunlight, and will keep for a few days or up to a week.
King oyster mushrooms are versatile and can be sliced lengthwise, into rounds, or shredded. They can be fried, grilled, or put on skewers. They are also excellent for Japanese-style tempura. Before cooking, brush any dirt off the mushrooms and wipe them with a damp paper towel, as washing them can make them soggy.
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King oyster mushrooms are best stored in the fridge in a paper bag or cardboard box
King oyster mushrooms are the largest of the oyster mushrooms, with a chunky white stem and a rounded brown cap. They are known for their distinctive taste and meaty texture. When choosing king oyster mushrooms, opt for those that feel firm and smooth, avoiding any that feel slippery or slimy.
Once you've purchased your king oyster mushrooms, it's important to store them properly to maintain their freshness. King oyster mushrooms are best stored in the fridge, as cooler temperatures slow down the growth of bacteria and mould, common causes of spoilage. The ideal way to store these mushrooms is in a paper bag within the refrigerator, which allows for air circulation and helps absorb excess moisture. If you've purchased your mushrooms from the supermarket, simply remove the cellophane and keep them in the cardboard container. Alternatively, wrap the mushrooms in paper towels and place them in a paper bag or a container with a lid, ensuring it's not airtight.
It's important to note that mushrooms easily absorb the scents of nearby foods, so keep them away from pungent foods like onions, garlic, or celery. Additionally, avoid washing the mushrooms before storing them, as this can introduce excess moisture and hasten spoilage. Instead, gently wipe any dirt off with a soft brush or a damp cloth. With proper storage, your king oyster mushrooms will remain fresh and edible for longer.
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