Oyster mushrooms

Oyster mushrooms are the edible fungi of the genus Pleurotus, principally Pleurotus ostreatus, named for their oyster-shell-shaped caps. They grow naturally on dead hardwood and are among the easiest mushrooms to cultivate, fruiting on straw, sawdust, coffee grounds, and other lignocellulosic wastes, which makes them a model for circular food production. Their tender texture and mild, savoury flavour suit stir-fries, soups, and meat analogues, while their nutritional profile offers B vitamins, minerals, and beta-glucan fibres. Because they are wood-decayers rather than mycorrhizal, they fruit reliably indoors year-round, supporting a steady commercial supply that has made them the world’s second most cultivated mushroom group.