King of Pearl Oyster

Summary

The King of Pearl Oyster mushrooms are beloved by home growers because of their legendary ease of growth, the big, bountiful harvests, and of course, the delicious taste.

Rapidly becoming one of the most popular and reliable mushrooms to grow at home, the King of Pearl Oyster Mushroom, part of the Pleurotus ostreatus botanical family, is now an established favourite amongst beginners and chefs all around the world having been cultivated by blending the King Oyster and Pearl Oyster mushrooms.

The King of Pearl Oyster mushrooms description and taste

Renowned for its big, reliable harvests, the King of Pearl oyster mushroom produces clustered fruits that vary in colour from white, cream, brown, and grey. The edible stems are generally short, cream-coloured leading to a gilled underside of the cap.

The mushroom has a broad, fan or oyster-shaped cap that can span anywhere between 2 and 30 centimetres.

It is a carnivorous fungus, feeding on nematodes by using a calcium-dependent toxin that paralyzes the prey within minutes of contact, causing necrosis and the formation of a slurry to facilitate ingestion as a protein-rich food source.

The king of pearl oyster mushroom has a very distinct fleshy, meaty texture with a mild, earthy, and somewhat sweet taste which has often been compared to the shiitake mushroom, albeit the king of pearl oyster mushroom has a bit more of an ‘earthy’ taste than that of the shiitake.

What are the uses of the King of Pearl Oyster Mushroom?

Although the king of pearl oyster mushroom has some great inflammatory and cholesterol-reducing qualities, it is in the kitchen where this mushroom star shines.

These tasty mushrooms cook really well and don’t lose that fleshy texture, so they are an incredibly popular addition to any grilled, pan-fried, or sauteed dish. A must for any pasta, stew, soup, stir-fry, and a dish by itself.

As well as the alluring taste of the king of pearl oyster mushroom, this is a mushroom that has been used to help lower cholesterol, improve bone health and aid in weight loss. The health qualities of the pearl oyster mushroom are so great that they have even be used to fight prostate and breast cancer. 

Nutritional Value

The King of Pearl Oyster mushroom is a powerful low-fat mushroom shown to lower cholesterol and help with weight loss.

Full of fibre and protein, the King of Pearl Oyster mushroom provides a lot of Vitamin B and Niacin

Out in the Wild

The king of pearl oyster mushroom is found natively in the Mediterranean, Middle East, Northern Africa, and Asia and produces bountiful harvests all year round. These can be found on live beech trees and growing on dying hardwood trees

How to Store the King of Pearl Oyster Mushroom?

Like most oyster mushrooms, you have to be quick when storing the King of Pearl Oyster mushroom when picked. However, if stored correctly, the King of Pearl Oyster mushroom can last up to a week in your fridge.

The best way to store the King of Pearl Oyster mushrooms is by cleaning them with a damp towel and placing them in a paper bag at the back of the fridge. As with most mushrooms, it is highly recommended not to wash the King of Pearl Oyster mushroom in water or rinse with water, but to dab clean with a damp towel.

If they are yellow and/or slimy, then you have left it too late to store

Freezing the king of pearl oyster mushroom can see this tasty mushroom remain fresh for a month. Simply clean them with a damp towel, cut them into smaller pieces, place them in an airtight container or bag, and put them in your freezer.

Dehydrating the king of pearl oyster mushrooms and storing them in an airtight container will see them last for up to 6 months.