Hello friends and mushroom aficionados!
Black Oysters are the third species of mushroom our team here at Cellar Mushrooms has been cultivating. We’ve laughed that we’re getting to know the personality of our mushrooms – besides being distinct in appearance and taste, the three we have started with (more coming in the future when space allows!) are each so different in temperament. Black Oysters like to take their sweet time growing in the fruiting room, they need humidity levels just right, and their caps are extra delicate when harvesting. But the final product is so worth it! Black Oyster mushrooms are delectable, versatile, and over-the-top healthy!
[Before we dive in, a quick note:
We hope you’ll enjoy learning about mushrooms as much as we do! Please know that all information shared here by Cellar Mushrooms is for educational purposes only and is not meant to provide or take the place of medical advice. It is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.]
The Black Oyster mushroom is a hybrid which was created by crossbreeding Japanese Oyster mushrooms with European Oyster mushrooms. One of dozens of varieties of Oyster mushrooms, Black Oysters are denser and meatier than many others. They have large, thick stems which are as delicious when cooked as the caps.
In terms of their nutritional profile, Black Oyster mushrooms are high in vitamins B6 and B25, iron, folate, potassium, zinc, and niacin. And, like the other mushrooms we cultivate, they pack a great punch of protein.
Black Oyster mushrooms contain the amino acid ergothioneine, which has powerful antioxidant properties. This article, published in the Journal of Nutritional Science, explains, “There is mounting evidence for the potential for the natural dietary antioxidant and anti-inflammatory amino acid l-Ergothioneine (ERGO) to prevent or mitigate chronic diseases of aging. This has led to the suggestion that it could be considered a ‘longevity vitamin.’ ERGO is produced in nature only by certain fungi and a few other microbes. Mushrooms are, by far, the leading dietary source of ERGO,” specifically oyster mushrooms.
Additionally, a variety of studies have suggested Black Oyster mushrooms may:
Help improve cardiac health by lowering cholesterol and helping to prevent cardiac disease
Help regulate blood sugar levels
Offer prebiotic benefits which boost immune system function and gastrointestinal health
Help reduce inflammation throughout the body
In addition to the abundance of good these mushrooms can do for your body, they are just as great for your tastebuds. Our team loves the meaty, chewy texture of Black Oyster mushrooms, and the killer taste when we saute them with butter, fresh thyme, garlic, salt and pepper following our recipe for Simple Sauteed Black Oyster Mushrooms. They have a lovely umami flavor with a bit of a peppery aftertaste, which make them a great addition to soups or stews. They’re so hearty, they also make a really great substitution for meat.
Thanks for visiting and joining us on our merry mushroom journey here at Cellar Mushrooms! We are really grateful to spend our time and energy cultivating healthy + fresh + delicious culinary mushrooms for your table.
Peace,
Your Cellar Mushrooms team
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7681161/
https://www.fungially.com/blogs/growing-mushrooms/black-oyster-mushroom
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/oyster-mushroom-benefits