General Information
Oyster mushrooms caps can vary from pale to dark gray, depending on the season. Oyster mushrooms can be green, pink or yellow in color, depending on the species. The fluted caps have a shape similar to an oyster, ranging in size from 4 to 16 centimeters in width. White gills extend from beneath the cap, down a very short or non-existent stem. Oyster mushrooms are soft and have a slightly chewy texture. Wild Oyster mushrooms can develop a slight aroma of anise, cultivated varieties are milder in flavor, featuring a slight seafood aroma and taste.
History
Oyster mushrooms grow throughout the world, in areas where there is a perfect balance of rain and moderate temperature. They can be found growing on hardwood and conifers, most often decaying or dead wood. Oyster mushrooms are relatively easy to grow and need little assistance. The Oyster is one of the most cultivated mushrooms in the world, next to button and shiitake. Commercial cultivation of Oyster mushrooms is far more recent than that of the button and shiitake varieties.
