Pink oyster mushrooms are one of my favorite foods ever!
They’re so delicious with their sweet flavor and texture, but they also have tons of amazing nutritional properties.
So what exactly is a “pink oyster mushroom” anyway?
What Is The Difference Between A Pink Oyster Mushroom And A Regular Oyster Mushroom?
When most people think about oysters, they picture those little bivalve mollusks we eat in restaurants or on the half shell.
But there is another type of edible fungus known as an oyster mushroom, which comes from the same family as shiitake (or portobello) mushrooms.
An oyster mushroom looks like a big white button, but it has fleshy gills underneath its cap.
It tastes similar to a cremini mushroom and is often used in vegetarian cooking because it cooks up quickly and doesn’t need much attention.
While both types of mushrooms share some similarities, there are some key differences between them.
Here’s everything you should know before attempting to cook either of these tasty fungi.
Oyster Mushrooms vs Pink Oyster Mushrooms
The two main varieties of oyster mushrooms are called “regular” and “pink.”
The term “pink” refers to the color of the caps, while the term “regular” means the caps are not necessarily colored at all.
If you look closely, you may be able to see tiny red spots on some of the caps, but that’s normal and nothing to worry about!
Some of the smaller caps are more likely to contain these spots than others.
You won’t find any noticeable difference in taste or texture when comparing regular and pink oyster mushrooms, though.
Appearance
Both kinds of oyster mushrooms are large and round with smooth edges, although some might say the pink variety is slightly larger.
They usually grow to around 6 inches wide by 3 inches tall, although they will vary depending upon where you live and your growing conditions.
Growth Cycle
Regular oyster mushrooms take anywhere from three days to six weeks to fully mature, depending on how long you leave them alone to develop.
There isn’t really enough information online about pink oyster mushrooms, but I would assume they follow the same growth cycle as regular ones.
You don’t want to let your oyster mushrooms get too old because they will lose their flavor and become tough and chewy.
If you cut off the top with a knife, you should be able to see if they’re ready to harvest.
Just make sure to remove the stem and roots first.
Then slice it into pieces and add it to whatever dish you’re making.
Nutrition
There are no actual studies done on pink oyster mushrooms yet, but based on their name alone, I would expect them to be high in vitamin D due to exposure to sunlight during their growth phase.
That said, regular oyster mushrooms are still very nutritious, containing plenty of protein, calcium, iron, and other vitamins and minerals.
Plus, they’re low in calories compared to many other vegetables.
How to Cook Regular Oyster Mushrooms
- Wash the mushrooms thoroughly under running water to remove dirt particles.
- Slice the mushrooms into 1/4-inch thick slices.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat and sauté the mushrooms until browned and crispy.
- Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste.
- Serve hot.
How to Make Perfect Fried Mushroom Patties
- Cut regular oyster mushrooms into bite size pieces.
- Mix together breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and salt in a shallow bowl.
- Dip each piece of mushroom in egg mixture and then roll it around in bread crumb mixture to coat completely.
- Place the coated mushroom onto a clean plate covered with plastic wrap. Repeat steps 4–5 until all the mushroom bites are prepared.
- In a deep fryer filled with vegetable oil, place the coated mushroom bites in batches and fry until golden brown.
- Remove the fried mushroom bites from the hot oil using tongs and drain on paper towels.
- Sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately.
Cooking Instructions For Pink Oyster Mushrooms
- Clean the mushrooms well and pat dry with paper towel after cutting them open.
- Boil water in a pan and drop the cleaned mushrooms into the boiling water for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, remove the mushrooms from the boiling water and allow to cool.
- Once cooled, carefully peel away the skin from the mushroom caps and discard the stems.
- Add butter to a skillet and melt over medium heat. Add sliced mushrooms and stir frequently for 5 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve warm.
Where Do Pink Oyster Mushrooms Come From?
The name “oyster mushroom” comes from its appearance similar to an oyster or clam – it has a small button shape with a smooth surface.
Pink oyster mushrooms typically grow in clusters on tree trunks or stumps at the base of trees where sunlight hits them.
The reason why these mushrooms appear as such a bright color when exposed to light (and why some varieties may be more red than others) is because they contain anthocyanins, which give off a deep purple hue under certain conditions.
These mushrooms are sometimes referred to as “crimson” or “purple” oyster mushrooms, but I prefer calling them “pink” since there aren’t really any other types of oyster mushrooms out there that look like this.
They’re usually found in Asian markets, although you might occasionally find them growing wild here and there.
If you’ve never eaten a pink oyster mushroom before, you should definitely try one sometime soon!
They taste great raw, but if you want to make your own dish, check out our guide to how to roast pink oysters.
What Is The Best Way To Cook Pink Oyster Mushrooms?
The most common way I find people cooking them is sautéing them in butter or olive oil.
While those two methods work well if you want to eat them as-is, there are actually many other ways to prepare these mushrooms.
If you’ve never cooked with them before, I recommend trying different things until you figure out which method works best for your tastes and preferences.
- Roasted: These are my personal favorite because it adds another level of umami to the dish. You could roast them on an open flame like on a grill, or even bake them at 400 degrees F (200 C) for 20 minutes. Either way will add extra depth of flavor.
- Baked: Another great option is to simply bake them as usual. But instead of spreading butter all over them, try using vegan margarine. The fat content helps keep them tender while still maintaining their delicate texture.
- Sautéed: Sautéed pink oysters aren’t quite as popular as roasting or baking, but they’re good too. Try adding garlic, salt, and pepper to your pan along with your desired liquid. Cook for about 5 minutes at medium heat, then flip and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes after that.
- Poached: Poaching is another great way to get more nutrients into your body when cooking these little guys. Just make sure they don’t overcook. When done correctly, they should be soft enough to easily peel back off the stem and leave behind only a small amount of watery liquid.
What Are Some Of The Health Benefits Of Pink Oyster Mushrooms?
These little guys are called ‘oysters’ because of their resemblance to the shellfish.
The reason why people call them ‘pink’ oysters is because of their coloration.
Oysters generally come in white or brown when they’re fresh out of the ocean, but if you buy them at the store, they may be red, purple, blue, orange, yellow, green, or even black depending on where you live.
But regardless of how pretty they look, these mushrooms actually contain many nutrients that make them super beneficial to our bodies.
They’re high in protein
Oysters are rich in proteins, which means they provide your body with all the amino acids it needs to grow properly.
One cup of cooked oysters provides about 22 grams (7.6 oz) of protein, which is more than an ounce of meat!
That makes them great for vegetarians who want to get a good amount of protein into their diets without having to eat meat.
They’re high in iron
Iron is essential for proper growth and development of cells throughout the body.
But not everyone gets enough iron from food alone.
Many people don’t even know how much they need until they reach menopause, when their ovaries stop producing estrogen and menstruations cease.
Fortunately, there are lots of different ways to get iron through your diet, including eating oysters.
For example, 1/4 cup of raw oysters contains approximately 2 mg of iron.
They’re high in B vitamins
B vitamins help keep us feeling energetic, boost immunity, and prevent illness and disease.
These nutrients are found naturally in oysters as well as other kinds of seafood, such as crab and shrimp.
They’re low in fat
Most people think that fatty fish are bad for you, but oysters aren’t included among those types of foods.
In fact, most people only consume about 5% of the calories from fats that they eat every day, so consuming oysters won’t increase your risk of heart disease or stroke.
They’re high in zinc
Zinc is an important mineral for our immune system, skin, hair, nails, and bones.
It helps support cell division, production of antibodies, and wound healing processes.
So, by eating oysters regularly, we can strengthen our immune systems and ward off infections and diseases.
They’re high in calcium
Calcium is extremely important for bone density, muscle contraction, cardiac function, blood clotting, nerve transmission, and more.
Calcium content goes up after cooking, but the level remains higher than before.
They’re high in vitamin D
Vitamin D is necessary for strong bones, and it helps regulate metabolism, hormones, and the nervous system.
When combined with calcium, vitamin D supports stronger teeth and bones, and better digestion, absorption, and utilization of both minerals.
What Do Pink Oyster Mushrooms Taste Like?
The first thing I noticed when I tried these was how incredibly good they tasted.
The next thought I had was that they were almost too pretty to eat – so pretty that they could be used as decorations in your home or on your table at restaurants.
This makes them an excellent choice if you’re looking for something new and different to serve guests who aren’t huge fans of raw food.
If you’ve never eaten anything from the genus Tremella before, it may take a minute to get used to the taste, which is very mild and delicate.
I found that eating them alone didn’t really give me much of a chance to appreciate their flavors, but once I added them into a dish, they took on a whole new dimension.
I love pairing them up with creamy sauces or simply adding them to salads for extra nutrients and protein.
You can even use them to make desserts by baking them in muffin cups and topping each cup with a small amount of whipped cream.
What Are Some Other Uses For Pink Oyster Mushrooms?
Pigmented oyster mushrooms belong to the large group of gilled mushrooms called Agaricomycetes (or order Agaricales).
There are over 1,500 species in this group alone, which means there’s an incredible variety out there!
One of these varieties is found only in California and Mexico and has been given the scientific name, Clitocybe resinae.
It’s not actually a true oyster mushroom at all, but rather it looks very similar.
For those who don’t know, pink oyster mushrooms aren’t edible.
The most common use for pink oysters is as an ingredient in Asian dishes, especially Japanese cuisine.
The Japanese call them kikurage or simply kiku-ryori (meaning ‘cloud ears’), while Koreans refer to them as namul-ju.
In Korean cuisine, they are used as a garnish on dishes such as bibimbap, bulgogi, and rice cakes.
In addition, they’ve become popular among health conscious foodies due to the fact that they contain high amounts of protein, fiber, vitamin D, B vitamins, and minerals like magnesium and calcium.
They’re even said to improve blood sugar levels and reduce cholesterol.
Can Pink Oyster Mushrooms Be Eaten Raw?
Yes! As long as the mushrooms aren’t too old (and even then many people would still eat them), these little beauties can definitely be consumed raw.
The reason why I say that is because most of us know how important it is to cook our food in order to avoid ingesting harmful bacteria or viruses.
Pink oyster mushrooms don’t contain anything dangerous like E-coli or salmonella, which means that if cooked properly, there should be no health risks at all.
However, it’s best not to consume them raw until you receive confirmation from your doctor, as certain conditions may cause an allergic reaction.
If you suspect that you might be sensitive to something in them, such as dairy products, eggs, nuts, or shellfish, make sure to check with your physician before consuming them.
How Long Do Pink Oyster Mushrooms Last?
They don’t really last very long once harvested from the ground – about 24 hours at most.
But when cooked, these mushrooms keep well up to 48 hours or longer depending on how much water has been removed during cooking (they tend to dry out quickly).
If you want them to keep going even longer than that, then it might help to freeze them first.
Once frozen, you can keep them around indefinitely.
However, before freezing, make sure to remove as much moisture as possible by blanching them briefly in boiling water.
Then, place the mushrooms in an airtight container and seal tightly.
You can store them like this in your freezer until you need them again.
If you haven’t yet tried fresh oysters, now would be a good time to give them a try!
Here’s everything you need to know about eating them safely:
- Oysters aren’t harmful, but some people may experience allergic reactions to shellfish. It’s best to avoid them altogether if you have food allergies.
- When buying live seafood, always check the expiration date and ensure that the fish hasn’t already died.
- You should thoroughly wash all fresh seafood before preparing it. Never cook seafood without removing the head, gills, intestines, etc., which contain toxins.
- Cooked seafood shouldn’t be stored in the refrigerator because bacteria will grow rapidly there.
- Always discard any leftovers after using them.
- Seafood that looks discolored isn’t necessarily unsafe to eat, but it should still be discarded.
- Don’t eat shellfish within two days of purchasing them. After that point, the flesh becomes more prone to bacterial growth.
- Raw oysters are safe to consume, but it’s better not to eat them too close to bedtime since they can cause nausea and diarrhea.
What Should I Do If I Find A Pink Oyster Mushroom In The Wild?
If you come across these beautiful little mushrooms while out on your adventures, don’t worry — they’re completely safe to eat.
And even though they look like something straight from a horror movie, they taste absolutely delicious!
So it’s worth finding them in the first place.
If you want more information about how to identify pink oysters, check our guide here: How To Identify A Pink Oyster Mushroom.
Once you’ve found your mushrooms or picked some up at the store, be sure to keep them in an air-tight container until you cook them.
You’ll need to allow them enough time to dry out before cooking them.
But once you get them home, you’ll be able to prepare a tasty dish without worrying about bacteria growing on them.
The best part about eating pink oyster mushrooms?
It’s easy as pie to make.
In fact, these delicious little guys only require three main ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, and salt.
That’s all! No fancy techniques required.
Just follow the steps below to make yourself a delicious and nutritious meal.
- Step 1: Heat up a skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Step 2: Add 3 small handfuls of dried mushrooms (or more depending on how big you want your final dish) into the pan and toss around to coat in the oil.
- Step 3: Next, squeeze half a lemon onto the mushrooms and stir around to mix together.
- Step 4: Finally, sprinkle in a pinch of sea salt and let everything simmer for 5 minutes before serving.
You may not know this, but oyster mushrooms actually contain vitamin D
That’s right — oyster mushrooms are full of vitamins and nutrients.
Not only does this mean you’re getting plenty of protein, fiber, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc, but they also contain vitamin D too!
Vitamin D helps strengthen bones and teeth, which makes this fungus extra special.
Oyster mushrooms are extremely versatile, too.
You can use them in many different ways, including sautéing, baking, grilling, and broiling.
Try adding them to salads, soups, and pasta dishes.
Or simply slice them thinly and serve them raw.
Either way, they’re delicious and nutritious, making them a great addition to anyone’s diet plan.
Is There Anything Else I
Before we dive into this recipe, let’s take a look at some other interesting facts about these little guys.
- They grow on wood chips or straw, which makes them an easy-to-grow fungus.
- The fruiting bodies (the parts you eat) contain more protein than beef steak, chicken breast, pork loin, and even fish.
- You can cook them like many kinds of meat when they’re fresh out of the ground, since they have a firm texture similar to fish.
I love how versatile this mushroom is — it tastes great raw, cooked, sautéed, stir fried, steamed, baked, grilled, roasted, broiled, and even fried!
It has no seasonings (unless you count salt), making it super easy to incorporate into your meals.
Since it doesn’t need much seasoning, this recipe will be very mild, and won’t overwhelm your taste buds.
Plus, because the mushrooms are so flavorful on their own, adding a pinch of salt here and there isn’t necessary either.
Equipment
- 1 Pan
Ingredients
- 8 oz pink oyster mushrooms
- 1 tbsp butter
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Clean the mushrooms well and pat dry with paper towel after cutting them open.
- Boil water in a pan and drop the cleaned mushrooms into the boiling water for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, remove the mushrooms from the boiling water and allow to cool.
- Once cooled, carefully peel away the skin from the mushroom caps and discard the stems.
- Add butter to a skillet and melt over medium heat. Add sliced mushrooms and stir frequently for 5 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve warm.
Nutrition
My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.