Last Updated on February 25, 2023
Pink Oyster Mushroom is a type of fungi that is commonly used in cooking. This ultimate guide of pink mushroom will provide you with all the information you need to know about this unique mushroom, including its physical appearance, habitat, how to grow your own, and delicious recipes to cook with.
Pink Oyster Mushroom
Also known as pink mushrooms or pink oysters (sometimes referred to as Pleurotus djamor or Flamingo oyster). One of the fastest-growing tropical oyster mushrooms with a vibrant pink color and pink hue. In addition to being well known for their delicious meaty texture, pink oyster mushrooms are also extremely beneficial for your health. Here is some more information on pink oyster mushrooms:
Appearance:
Pink oyster mushrooms get their name from their pink color and their shell-like shape. The caps and stipes of these mushrooms are a beautiful shades of pink, which can range from very pale to almost purple hue. These pretty mushrooms get their color from a pigment called lycopene, which is also found in tomatoes and watermelons.
Natural Habitat:
In the natural habitat, pink oyster mushroom grown as clusters on fallen hardwood logs. They are native to both tropical climates and temperate climates and usually grow on wood, paper, or cardboard.
Pink Oyster Mushrooms Growing Difficulty:
The pink oyster is not picky about growing conditions. All you need is a small space and some basic materials, and you can have your crop of delicious mushrooms in no time. If you’re growing mushrooms indoors, ensure plenty of ventilation to avoid mold growth. The best growing seasons are spring and summer.
Fruiting Yield:
Pink oyster mushrooms have a high yield production, meaning that they produce a lot of mushrooms per square foot. This makes them a great choice for growers who want to maximize their mushroom production. One pound of pink oyster spawn can yield up to 10 pounds of fresh mushrooms! Amazing, right?!
Shelf Life:
It is better to keep fresh mushrooms in the refrigerator. If you opt for dried ones, they will last much longer – up to six months if stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
However, pink oysters are just not as long-lasting as many other mushrooms. Even when stored in perfect conditions, pink oysters can only last a couple of days in the fridge before they in fact spoil. Or alternatively, you can try freeze oyster mushrooms to extend their shelf life.
Despite their beauty and ease of cultivation, they have a poor shelf life. This is why you won’t usually find them in your local grocery store.
Health Benefits:
They are an excellent source of protein, fiber, and vitamins B and C. Here are some of their major health benefits:
- Immunity-Boosting Properties– There are compounds in pink oyster mushrooms that can boost the immune system. In addition to antioxidants, pink oyster mushrooms protect cells from free radical damage.
- Heart-Healthy Benefits– Pink oyster mushrooms also contain heart-healthy nutrients. They are rich in copper, which keeps blood vessels healthy. As well as being low in calories and fat, oyster mushrooms are high in fiber, which is important for maintaining a healthy weight.
- Improved Digestion– It can also improve digestion and gut health with enzymes and probiotics. Probiotics are live bacteria that improve gut health and reduce inflammation while increasing good bacteria in the gut.
Reference: healthfully.com
What Does Pink Oyster Mushroom Taste Like?
Pink oyster mushrooms have a sweet, delicate, and earthy umami aroma, with an underlying floral or fruity note. The meaty and chewy texture of pink oyster mushrooms and their smoky, savory flavor. Pink oyster mushrooms are best suited for making vegan bacon. These mushrooms are packed with flavors, high in nutritional value, making them a healthy option for those looking to add more plant-based foods to their diet.
If you’re wondering what their cousin taste like, check out this article: Blue Oyster Mushroom: The ultimate guide.
Pink Mushrooms – HOW TO GROW With Grow Kit
Growing your own food is so satisfying. By watching these organisms grow into beautiful (and delicious) mushrooms is an experience unlike any other. Mushroom growing is also a fun hobby. Here’s how you can grow pink oysters at home:
1. Environment
- A space that is dark, humid, and draft-free. A windowsill in the bathroom or kitchen usually works well.
- Some sort of growing medium—coir fiber or vermiculite work well.
- Mushroom spores (or “spawn”) and pink oyster mushroom plugs. You can find these supplies online or at your local gardening store.
- Once you have gathered all your supplies, the next step is sterilizing your growing medium. This ensures that no competing organisms present could potentially harm your mushrooms. To sterilize coir fiber or vermiculite, soak it in boiling water for 15 minutes. Once it has cooled, it is ready to use.
- The final step before growing your mushrooms is to “inoculate” your substrate with the spores or spawn. You can mix the substrate with the spawn in a large bowl and then transfer it to your growing container. Once it is in the container, seal it off with aluminum foil or press-and-seal wrap to create a barrier between your substrate and the outside world.
- Check your mushrooms daily to ensure they stay moist (but not too wet). After 10-14 days, you should see small pink oyster mushrooms sprouting through the substrate. Allow them to grow until they reach desired size (about 3 inches in diameter), and then harvest them by twisting them off at the base.
2. Pink Oyster Mushroom Substrate
The best substrate for growing pink oyster mushrooms is wood chips. You can find wood chips at your local garden center or nursery. Make sure to get chips that are small in size so that the mushrooms can easily colonize them. You will also need to soak the wood chips in water overnight before using them as substrate.
3. Colonization
To colonize the wood chips, you will need pink oyster mycelium. Mycelium is the vegetative part of a fungus that consists of a mass of tiny threads called hyphae. You can purchase mycelium from a mushroom farm or online. Once you have the mycelium, place it on the soaked wood chips. The mycelium will then spread through the substrate and colonize it within two weeks.
4. Fruiting Conditions
Once the pink mushroom mycelium has colonized the substrate, it is time to fruit the mushrooms. To do this, mist the substrate with water and place it in a dark room with high humidity. The mushrooms should start growing within 10 days and will be ready to harvest within two weeks.
5. Harvesting
When you’re ready to harvest pink mushrooms, cut them off at the base with a sharp knife. Leave some of the mushroom behind so it can continue to fruit. Once harvested, the mushrooms can be stored in a paper bag in the refrigerator.
Pink Oyster Mushroom – HOW TO STORE
When it comes to storing your pnik oyster mushrooms, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, water is mushrooms’ biggest enemy, so make sure that they are dry and clean before storing them. You can store them in a paper bag and be sure to keep them out of direct sunlight and away from any heat sources. Check on them every few days to make sure that they are still fresh.
The best way is to eat pink oysters as soon as possible after harvest. If that’s not possible, here are some ways to store them.
1. Keep Them in a Fridge
Make sure you store your oysters in paper bags. It will absorb some moisture and keep your mushrooms dry. They’ll stay fresh for a couple of days.
Foods around them will affect their taste if they absorb their scent. It’s better to keep your pink oysters away from strong-smelling foods.
2. Keep Them in a Freezer
Place the mushrooms on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for about 2 hours. Once frozen, transfer the mushrooms to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label and date the bag so you know when you stored them. It’s easy to keep pink oysters frozen for up to a month without a problem.
3. Dry Them
The best way to store pink oyster mushrooms is by drying them in a food dehydrator or in the oven in a low temperature. Alternatively, you can do this by simply letting them air dry under sunlight. Once they’re dry, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. They’ll keep for several months this way.
However, dehydrated mushrooms have a completely different taste and texture than fresh ones. Plus, mushrooms contain a large amount of water, so you will lose a lot of volume.
Pink Oyster Mushroom – WHERE TO BUY
If you’re interested in trying pink oysters, you can find them fresh or dried from mushroom growers or Asian grocery stores. You can also purchase pink oyster mushroom spawn online or at a local garden center to grow you own. As oyster mushrooms are mostly grown in greenhouses, generally, they are available all year long.
Mock Oyster Mushrooms – Buyer Aware!
There has been an influx of fake oyster mushrooms on the market as of late. Mock oysters are not poisonous, but they can cause gastrointestinal issues due to indigestible chitin in their cell walls.
These fake mushrooms can be dangerous if consumed or might not taste well. The good news is that there are some telltale signs that you can look for to spot a fake oyster mushroom.
Orange Mock Oyster Mushrooms, also called Phyllotopsis nidulans, belong to the Tricholomataceae family.Pleurotus mushrooms are non-toxic and edible, however, do not be fooled! Mock oyster mushrooms lack the flavor of real oyster mushrooms. You should also avoid cooking these because they smell ghastly!
Cook Pink Oyster Mushroom Recipes
These unique mushrooms have a delicate flavor that is sure to please and perfect for any occasion. Looking for some delicious pink oyster mushroom recipes? I’ve got some for you:
1. Vegan Mushroom Bacon (Sautéed)
Perfect substitute for bacon and taste great.
2. Pink Oyster Burgers
3. Pink Oyster Mushroom BLT
4. Pink Oyster Mushroom Rolls (Raw)
5. BBQ Pink Oyster Sandwich
6. Roasted Pink Oyster Mushroom Stir-Fry
Pink mushrooms pair well with coriander in Asian stir fries.
Other Types Of Oyster Mushroom Recipes
Here are some delicious oyster mushroom recipes that you can cook with pink oyster mushrooms:
1. Vegan Birria Tacos with Consommé
2. Fried Oyster Mushrooms (Vegan Fried Chicken)
3. Vegan Fajitas
4. Easy Vegan Pho
The pink oyster mushroom is a fast-growing, high nutritional value, and fantastic addition to plant-based diet. So next time you’re in the mood for something new, give pink oyster mushrooms a try. You won’t be disappointed.
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