Oyster mushroom is a delicious dietary mushroom that perfectly reveals its taste potential in combination with other products. The presence of white plaque (or mold) is not hazardous to health if the cooking regime is followed correctly.

Buying Choice

First of all, when buying, you should inspect the mushroom for damage. It should have a generally good shape, white without yellow spots. The presence of cracks, wormholes, even small ones, indicates the freshness of the product.

The next thing to pay attention to is the length of the leg. Not all buyers are aware of this nuance, and it becomes clear why this is happening. Some people like the specific taste structure of the leg, while others take it for granted. Ideally, the legs should be cut or very short, as this part of the oyster mushroom contains few nutrients, and they are hard to taste.

You need to choose young mushrooms. To determine the age, it is enough to break off a small piece from the cap. The presence of white and juicy pulp confirms the freshness of the fungus, and if the structure is fibrous, then this mushroom is stale and should not be purchased.

Important! Smell is keyIt should not be unpleasant and harsh.

The reasons for the appearance of plaque

In fact, this is not plaque and not mold, but mycelium (mycelium). These thin white threads appear for a rather commonplace reason - an increase in temperature. It can even happen in the refrigerator. But there is no reason for concern: the appearance of mycelium does not entail danger and does not change the taste of the product. But there are other types of mold, and they are all dangerous.

The appearance of mold with a black, pink, green tint, which is accompanied by an unpleasant, woody, sour smell, signals improper storage and the danger of poisoning. And it’s better to get rid of such a fruiting body.

Can i eat

Mycelium is not harmful to health and tastes like a mushroom. Also does not spoil the taste of the oyster mushroom itself. You can play it safe and rely on your sense of smell - if the appearance of these white threads is not accompanied by a sharp and unpleasant odor, and the product has a characteristic mushroom smell, then the mushroom is edible and safe for health. In extreme cases, this plaque can simply be cut off.

Did you know? A scientist from the University of Mexico invented an interesting way to grow environmentally friendly oyster mushrooms — from used diapers. And to prove her theory, she herself ate these diaper-grown mushrooms.

How to process

To prepare a delicious dish, you should carefully go through the next step. At the beginning, the product should be carefully cleaned of dirt. Then they wash it and give time to the glass water. Then the mushrooms must undergo a thorough heat treatment. Enough to cook for 15-25 minutes, depending on the size of the product. Fry for 15 minutes.

At low heat treatment, the aromas will be soft, at high heat they will be enhanced. Simmer on low heat - no more than 20 minutes. Before salting and pickling it is also necessary to boil oyster mushroom. It is sometimes used as a seasoning, which has a sweetish flavor, by drying and grinding.

How to store

Oyster mushroom, like all mushrooms, is a perishable product. Over time, it can become covered not only with mycelium, but also with other dangerous types of mold.

To keep the crop fresh, you must follow the storage rules:

• no more than a day at room temperature;
• up to seven days at a temperature of 0 ° C to + 7 ° C;
• up to two months - from -2 ° C to -4 ° C.

If you do not plan to immediately eat, then the delicacy should be frozen in the freezer at -18 ° C and kept for storage in the refrigerator or basement. This will allow him to maintain beneficial properties for up to 4 months. And if you boil the product in salt water before freezing, then the crop keeps freshness for another six months.

Did you know? Oyster mushrooms help to remove radioactive elements from the human body.

It is important to take into account the recommendations on the method of storage of the started jar with salted or pickled mushrooms. The bottom line is simple: you need to take a regular piece of cloth, about 20 × 20 cm, and completely soak with vodka. A cloth soaked with vodka is placed inside the can directly on the mushrooms. Vodka does not affect the taste of oyster mushrooms. The jar is closed with a lid and transferred to a storage location. Thus, the product can be stored for up to three weeks.

Oyster mushroom is deservedly a nutritious and mass product, even despite the presence of awesome white mold. Those who are familiar with this feature are no longer afraid of it and just enjoy the taste. Well, everyone else needs to be attentive to various changes in this delicacy, protect their health and consult with specialists.