Sarah Brown
Oyster mushrooms are a versatile ingredient used in stir-fries, soups, pasta, and risottos. They are also known for their antiviral properties. Oyster mushrooms are most abundantly found in the fall and winter, but can also be found in spring and summer. They are known to tolerate colder temperatures than many other mushrooms, and can even be harvested in the middle of winter. The Cold Blue Oyster, for example, has an optimum fruiting temperature of between 35-50 degrees Fahrenheit. When storing oyster mushrooms, it is important to clean and prep them correctly to maximize their lifespan. They should be stored in a paper bag or wrapped in a paper towel inside a loosely closed plastic bag in the refrigerator. Frozen oyster mushrooms can last for several months.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tolerance to cold temperatures | Oyster mushrooms can tolerate colder temperatures than many other mushrooms and are most abundant in fall and winter. |
| Appearance after freezing and thawing | Oyster mushrooms may have a limp look after being frozen and thawed, but they can still be safe to eat if they have good texture, colour, and smell. |
| Optimum fruiting temperature | The Cold Blue Oyster oyster mushroom has an optimum fruiting temperature of 35-50°F, requiring a cold shock down to near freezing to produce after a flush has rested. |
| Regions with cold tolerance | Oyster mushrooms are native to a range of regions, from Alaska to Florida, so their cold tolerance will differ depending on the region the strain originates from. |
| Storage recommendations | To extend the shelf life of oyster mushrooms, store them in a paper bag or wrapped in a paper towel inside a loosely closed plastic bag in the refrigerator. |
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What You'll Learn
Oyster mushrooms can be frozen and eaten
Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) are known for their meaty texture and umami flavour. They are most commonly found in the wild growing on fallen logs or dying trees in small overlapping clusters. They can also be cultivated at home with a mushroom kit. Oyster mushrooms are most plentiful in fall and winter, but can also be found in spring and summer.
Oyster mushrooms have a short shelf life and can quickly become slimy, wrinkled, and unappetizing. To prevent this, they can be stored in the refrigerator, which will keep them fresh and tasty for up to a week. Another option is to freeze them, either raw or cooked, in an airtight container or freezer bag. Frozen oyster mushrooms can last for approximately a month and can be thawed and cooked without any discernible decline in taste or texture. However, if thrown directly into the freezer without being cooked first, they may turn into a soggy mass, although still delicious. Oyster mushrooms can be blanched or fried before freezing, but frying will impart the flavour of the fat used, which may not complement all dishes.
Drying is another preservation method for oyster mushrooms, although it may be less effective than freezing. Dehydrated mushrooms can be rehydrated by placing them in water, but they may become a soggy mass that is difficult to work with. Commercially, mushrooms are dried using a vacuum or complex dehydrating equipment, but at home, a food dehydrator or oven can be used.
Oyster mushrooms are tolerant of colder temperatures and can even be harvested after a frost. They can be identified by their smooth caps, which vary in colour from off-white to brown, and their white gills, which yield a white spore print. Their stems are usually small or non-existent, off-centre, or lateral. When harvesting oyster mushrooms, it is important to check for any changes in colour or quality, as well as texture, smell, and taste, to ensure they are safe to consume.
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They can be found in winter
Oyster mushrooms are most abundant in fall and winter. They can even be found in the middle of winter, frozen solid, and later cooked with no discernible decline in taste. The cold blue oyster mushroom, for example, is a commercial fruiting strain known to have an extremely low fruiting temperature window. Optimum fruiting occurs when temperatures fall between 35-50°F, which means a cold shock down to a near-freeze is needed to produce after a flush has rested.
Oyster mushrooms are also found in spring and summer, though less abundantly. In the Rocky Mountains, for instance, oyster mushrooms can be found in the spring when morels are in season.
The ability of oyster mushrooms to last through frosts and be found in winter is partly due to their tolerance for colder temperatures. They can survive and even thrive in temperatures that other mushrooms cannot withstand. This is especially true of the white oyster mushroom, which is native to most areas from Alaska to Florida and thus has a high tolerance for cold temperatures.
The bright-coloured oysters, such as pink and yellow varieties, are from tropical areas and will not overwinter.
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They can be stored in the fridge
Oyster mushrooms are a versatile ingredient that can be used in stir-fries, soups, pasta, risottos, and even salads. They are known for their robust texture and can add a meaty quality to vegetarian and vegan dishes. To ensure you're buying the freshest mushrooms, look for those with a firm texture, even colour, and no blemishes or damp spots. Fresh mushrooms will have a subtle, earthy smell and a smooth surface. Avoid mushrooms that appear slimy or have a strong odour, as these are past their prime.
When storing oyster mushrooms, it is crucial to follow proper storage practices to maintain their freshness and extend their shelf life. Firstly, gently brush off any dirt or debris using a soft-bristled brush. Washing the mushrooms is not recommended, as they can absorb moisture and become slimy. Once cleaned, store the mushrooms in a paper bag or wrap them in a paper towel inside a loosely closed plastic bag. This allows excess moisture to escape while retaining enough humidity to prevent drying out. Place them in the main compartment of your refrigerator for the most consistent temperature.
Additionally, you can freeze oyster mushrooms to prolong their shelf life. Slice the mushrooms to your desired thickness, with thinner slices freezing more uniformly. Blanch the slices in boiling water for about two minutes to deactivate enzymes that cause spoilage. Then, plunge the mushrooms into ice water to stop the cooking process. After draining and patting them dry, spread the slices on a baking sheet, ensuring they don't touch, and freeze them. Once frozen, transfer the slices to airtight containers or freezer bags and store them in the freezer. Frozen oyster mushrooms can be cooked directly from frozen and will last for several months.
By storing oyster mushrooms correctly, whether in the refrigerator or freezer, you can preserve their quality, flavour, and nutritional value for extended periods.
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They can be cultivated at home
Oyster mushrooms are one of the easiest varieties to grow at home. They can grow happily and abundantly inside the home, requiring very little space. They can be grown on chopped straw, cardboard, old cotton clothes, unbleached paper, or a mix of these. Coffee grounds can also be used but are more difficult as they can easily go mouldy.
To grow your own oyster mushrooms, you can start with a kit. This will include a packet of grain spawn, straw, and instructions. You will also need an old pot or another container. First, cut the straw into smaller pieces of about 1 to 3 inches in length. Boil it in water for about an hour, then drain the water. Once the damp straw has cooled to room temperature, stack it densely inside a plastic bag, about 6-10 inches high. Now, spread a handful of oyster mushroom spawn over the straw. Tie the bag and poke some holes in it for the spawn to breathe. In the next 3 to 5 days, little mushroom heads will start popping up, growing almost double in size every day. When the mushroom caps separate fully from their stems, they are ready for harvesting. Oyster mushrooms will stay fresh for 7 days in the refrigerator.
If you want to grow oyster mushrooms outdoors, they fruit well on oak, sweet gum, poplar, and many other hardwood species. You can also use pasteurized wheat straw and cotton hulls for incredible yields.
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They can be cooked from frozen
Oyster mushrooms are abundant in fall and winter and can even be found in the middle of winter, frozen solid. If you're planning to cook with oyster mushrooms, it's worth noting that they don't need to be thawed before cooking, unlike meat. In fact, leaving them to defrost might not fare well for the mushrooms. This is because mushrooms naturally release water during the thawing process, which can make them soggy once they defrost.
If you're looking to cook with frozen mushrooms, it's best to add them directly to your dish. For example, if you're making soup, you can stick the frozen mushrooms right into the warm broth. If you're making pasta sauce, simply add them to the crushed tomatoes in your pot. For gravy, stir-fry, or stroganoff, add the mushrooms after cooking the other ingredients and then heat gently. If you're making blended burgers, it's recommended to thaw the mushrooms first. You can do this by dicing the mushrooms and mixing them with ground meat.
Oyster mushrooms can be preserved in a few different ways. One way is to dry them and then rehydrate them when you're ready to cook. Another way is to blanch or fry them before freezing. If you choose to fry them, note that they will take on the flavor of the fat you cook them in, which may not go well with certain dishes. If you want to blanch the mushrooms, first, slice the mushroom caps and submerge them in boiling water for 30 seconds to one minute. Then, strain the mushrooms and place them in a colander to collect the drain water. Allow the mushrooms to cool, and then pack them into freezer bags and place them in the freezer.
If you're planning to freeze your oyster mushrooms, it's recommended to cook them at least partly before freezing. This will help prevent them from turning into a soggy mass. You can sauté them in salted butter until they're almost completely done and then let them cool to room temperature before placing them in a freezer bag and into the freezer.
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Frequently asked questions
Oyster mushrooms are most abundant in fall and winter, and can even be found in the middle of winter, after the first frost.
To store oyster mushrooms in the fridge, first gently brush off any dirt or debris with a soft-bristled brush. Then, wrap them in a paper towel and place them inside a loosely closed plastic bag. Store them in the main compartment of the refrigerator, where the temperature is most consistent.
Cooked oyster mushrooms should be stored in an airtight container after they have cooled to room temperature. This prevents condensation from forming and causing faster spoilage.
Yes, you can freeze oyster mushrooms. Slice them thinly and blanch the slices in boiling water for about two minutes. Then, plunge them into ice water and drain them. Spread the slices out on a baking sheet and freeze them. Once frozen, transfer them to airtight containers or freezer bags and store them in the freezer. Frozen oyster mushrooms can last for several months.
