Golden Oyster Mushroom

(Pleurotus citrinopileatus)

Yellow oyster mushrooms are small to medium in size and are attached to a short or nonexistent stem. The thin, dry, smooth caps are daffodil yellow, semi-circular, and look like small petals clustered and layered into a small bouquet. When young, the caps are flat, and with age, they begin to curl and become convex with wavy edges. Underneath the caps, there are many soft, short, white gills that connect to an ivory white, small stem. Yellow oyster mushrooms have a fruity aroma reminiscent of an aged red wine and are velvety, crisp, and chewy. When raw, Yellow oyster mushrooms can be somewhat bitter, but when cooked, they developed a balanced, nutty flavor similar to the flavor of cashews. Yellow Oyster are a tasty addition to any meal. If undercooked, the mushroom can be extremely bitter and off putting. However, if cooked for a sufficient amount of time, a balanced “nutty” flavor develops. The mushroom can be cooked until it is crispy, with the tiny flaky caps acting as a substitution for bacon bits- a nice addition to salads. Unfortunately, the brilliant yellow color is almost entirely lost during cooking.