Mushroom Network Grow Stick - Grey Oyster

Description

The Mushroom Network Grow Sticks - Grey Oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus) are the most common type of oyster mushroom and can be found across the world. This species is very forgiving to cultivate, and a great option for beginner home growers. When the mushrooms first start pinning, they're a lovely dark grey-blue colour that then fades to a light grey as they mature. These mushrooms like a lot of air exchange and will grow large caps under the right conditions. When starved of fresh air, they stretch and produce longer stems rather than big fan-like caps (you want to avoid this as the stems tend to be quite tough). They are found either in clusters of smaller mushrooms, or as individual larger mushrooms, with broad, thin, fan shaped caps and crowded gills underneath that run most of the way down the stem.

Grey Oyster mushrooms have a slightly sweet taste, with a woodsy characteristic. Compared to the shiitake mushroom, they have a milder and more tender flavour profile. They are versatile and can substitute well into many mushroom recipes. They are a fantastic meat replacement in stir-fries. In preparation, the stems of these mushrooms should be cut away, as they are tough even when cooked. Grey Oyster mushrooms go particularly well in egg dishes like omelettes or quiches and are a delicacy often used in Japanese, Korean and Chinese cuisine. Once cooked they have a pleasing and tender texture, especially when fried, roasted, or grilled. Braising and salting will bring about a softer texture.

Grey Oyster Harvesting Instructions:

Like the other oyster mushroom species, these mushrooms should be harvested just before the edges of the caps start to curl up. A good sign to watch for is for the curling up of the cap edges on the largest mushrooms in the cluster, as soon as they do this, harvest straight away.

Grey oysters should be harvested all at once in their clusters.

- Wash your hands with soap and water before harvesting
- Lightly grip the base of the cluster and with a twisting and pulling motion carefully separate the mushrooms from the substrate of the grow stick.
- Try not to take too much substrate off of the grow stick.
- Tape up your hole with some clear packaging tape as neatly as possible, with as little chance for air to enter the gaps.
- Check out our guide on how to get a second flush out of your grow stick The Second Flush.
- These mushrooms have a longer shelf-life than the pink and golden oyster species, but it is best to cook them within a few days of harvest.

Features

• Slight sweet taste
• More tender flavour profile
• Fantastic meat replacement in stir-fries
• Pleasing and tender texture
• Go well with egg dishes

Specifications