Black Pearl King Oyster

Summary

The Black Pearl King Oyster Mushroom is a tasty, meaty hybrid mushroom emanating from Japan. Crossed between a European and an Asian Pleurotus ostreatus, the black pearl king oyster mushroom was developed only relatively recently. However, its popularity amongst home growers and chefs in Europe and North America makes this a rising star of the mushroom world.

Quick and easy to grow with a unique, umami, almost aniseed flavour, the Black Pearl King Oyster mushroom is fast becoming a must-have mushroom for the kitchen.

The Black Pearl King Oyster Mushroom Description and Taste

The Black Pearl King Oyster Mushroom is one of the larger mushrooms that can be grown at home, with its distinct black and white marble-effect caps averaging between 10 – 25cm wide.

Underneath the cap, the gills are white, and as The Black Pearl King Oyster Mushroom matures, the cap goes from a slightly concave to flat. The stems, which are also edible, are very small or almost non-existent.

A real meaty mushroom, it has a consistently chewy texture throughout without being too tough. When it comes to taste, very few mushrooms can match that of the Black Pearl King Oyster Mushroom. As well as the distinct taste of aniseed, the black pearl king oyster mushroom has a mild nutty and earthy flavor which can be both bitter and sweet. 

What are the Uses of the Black Pearl King Oyster Mushroom?

Despite being a recent invention, studies have already shown that the Black Pearl King Oyster Mushroom has many anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor qualities and impressive antioxidant properties.

As well as being low in fat and high in fibre, the Black Pearl King Oyster Mushroom has high levels of calcium and potassium, which can help keep bones and teeth healthy.

In the kitchen, the Black Pearl King Oyster Mushroom can be added to just about any dish – pasta, stew, soup, pan-fried, sauteed, or oven baked. This great, versatile mushroom can be eaten in its entirety (caps and stems) and can be paired with just about anything – fish, poultry, beef, game, or even as a standalone dish.

Nutritional Value

As well as high levels of calcium and potassium, the Black Pearl King Oyster Mushroom is packed full of Vitamins B, C, and D, making it great to help boost the immune system.

Low in calories, sodium, and fat, the Black Pearl King Oyster Mushroom is also an excellent source of iron.

How to Store Black Pearl King Oyster Mushrooms?

The Black Pearl King Oyster Mushroom is highly perishable, so if you don’t use this mushroom quickly, it is important to know how to store it.

Never wash or rinse the mushroom. Instead, clean with a damp towel. Place in a paper bag in the middle of the refrigerator, so they can breathe, and the Black Pearl King Oyster Mushroom can be kept for between 2-5 days.

You can, of course, freeze and dry Black Pearl King Oyster Mushrooms. To freeze and dry, cut into smaller slices and place in an airtight container. To rehydrate, simply place the closed container in a bowl of warm water.

Out in the Wild

Having been fused using a European and an Asian Pleurotus ostreatus, the black pearl king oyster mushrooms are saprotrophs, meaning they feed off decomposing wood and are also carnivorous as they eat nematodes (tiny worms).

When grown outside, the Black Pearl King Oyster mushrooms are available in Spring to Autumn.