King Blue Oyster

Summary

The King Blue Mushroom is a tasty, good-looking hybrid mushroom developed in the last few decades as a cross between the common Blue Oyster Mushroom and The King Oyster.

Very hardy and easy to grow, the King Blue Mushroom is a firm favourite amongst those new to growing mushrooms at home. Producing big tasty clusters which have a shelf-life much longer than most mushrooms.

The King Blue Mushroom is as good as you will get when it comes to mushrooms. It is beautiful to look at, has an aromatic woody smell, and has a strong nutty taste. A high-yielding, fast-growing, easy-to-use mushroom that is fast becoming one of the most popular mushrooms around.

The King Blue Mushroom Description and Taste

Fusing the eye-catching colour of the Blue Oyster mushroom, and the big, thick stem of the king mushroom, the King Blue Mushroom is a sight to behold when growing. 

The pins of the king blue mushroom mature into a deep blue hue, developing into large, stunning caps with meaty white stems once they reach full maturity.

Colours range anywhere from light grey to deep blue, depending on temperature. Colder temperatures are understood to make the blue more prominent.

The King Blue Mushroom has firm caps and tender stems and can hold its own taste-wise with most mushrooms. 

Giving a mild, earthy, and nutty taste, the King Blue also has a very pleasant subtle aniseed aftertaste.

What are the Uses of the King Blue Mushroom?

The King Blue Mushroom is a great and powerful addition to just about any meal you can make. They are mild enough to complement any dish and meaty enough to be used as a meat substitute and as a standalone dish itself.

Due to its firm texture, and the fact that they hold its shape and texture well when cooking, the caps of the king blue mushroom are excellent pan-fried and commonly prepared by sautéing with butter and garlic. Great with any meat, you get the best out of the distinct earthy flavour of the king blue mushroom when accompanied by heavier meat such as lamb and beef.

From a medicinal point of view, studies have shown that the King Blue Mushroom can lower cholesterol and boost the immune system

Nutrients

The King Blue Mushroom is a great source of vitamins and minerals. Full of fibre, riboflavin, vitamins D and B, and iron, the king blue mushroom can help form part of any successful diet.

How to Store King Blue Mushrooms?

Because of the longer-than-average shelf life of the King Blue Mushroom, it is important to prepare them properly. Do not wash or rinse the mushrooms. Instead, clean with a damp towel and place in a paper bag at the back of the fridge and your king blue mushroom should last between a week and 10 days.

King blue mushrooms can be frozen by slicing and placing them into an airtight container in the freezer, which can last up to a year. 

You can hydrate king blue mushrooms and store them in an airtight container and they will last for up to 2 years.

Out in the Wild

Now growing natively in the Mediterranean, Middle East, Northern Africa, and Asia, the King Blue Mushroom can be found on rotting logs and leaves.

Out in the wild, the king blue mushroom fruits between Spring and Autumn.