King Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus Eryngii) Long Term Storage Slant/ Vial

🍄 King Oyster Mushroom Overview

• Common Name: King Oyster Mushroom

• Scientific Name: Pleurotus eryngii

• Other Names: King Trumpet Mushroom, French Horn Mushroom, Trumpet Royale

• Native Range: Mediterranean, Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia

🔬 Taxonomy of King Oyster Mushroom

RankClassificationDomainEukaryotaKingdomFungiPhylumBasidiomycotaClassAgaricomycetesOrderAgaricalesFamilyPleurotaceaeGenusPleurotusSpeciesPleurotus eryngiiAuthority(DC.) Quél. (1872)

🧬 Biological and Morphological Characteristics

FeatureDescriptionCap5–15 cm, convex to flat, tan to light brownStem (stipe)Thick, white, firm, meaty; often the largest partGillsDecurrent (run down the stem), white to creamSpore PrintWhiteTextureDense, chewy, and meatyFlavorMild umami, can resemble abalone or scallops when cooked

• Ecological Type: Saprotrophic (decomposes dead organic matter)

• Substrate: Commonly found growing on the roots of herbaceous plants (especially umbellifers like Eryngium – hence the species name).

🌍 Habitat and Distribution

• Naturally occurs in the Mediterranean, Central Asia, and parts of Europe and North Africa.

• Grows in semi-arid to temperate environments, often in grasslands or disturbed areas.

• Rarely found in the wild; mostly cultivated commercially due to its slow natural growth.

🌾 Cultivation

⚙️ Commercial Cultivation

• Substrate: Straw, sawdust, corncobs, cottonseed hulls, enriched with bran

• Conditions:

  • Temperature: 18–24°C (65–75°F)

  • Humidity: 85–95%

  • CO₂ control is critical—high CO₂ encourages thicker stems

• Growth Cycle: 4–6 weeks from inoculation to harvest

• Yield: High yield and long shelf life

🍽️ Why It's Popular:

• Large, uniform fruiting bodies

• Long shelf-life (compared to P. ostreatus)

• Meaty texture ideal for plant-based dishes

🍳 Culinary Uses

• Texture: Dense, chewy—similar to seafood or meat

• Popular in: East Asian cuisine, especially Korean, Japanese, and Chinese dishes

• Cooking Methods:

  • Grilled or roasted (sliced lengthwise like scallops or steaks)

  • Stir-fried or sautéed

  • Used in soups, hot pots, or vegan "pulled pork"

• Absorbs flavors well, especially soy sauce, garlic, miso, and vinegar

⚕️ Medicinal and Nutritional Benefits

Nutrient / CompoundBenefitsBeta-glucansImmune modulation, anti-inflammatoryErgothioneineAntioxidant, anti-aging propertiesLovastatin-like compoundsMay help lower cholesterolProtein and FiberSupports satiety and gut healthB vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5)Energy metabolismPotassium, PhosphorusHeart and bone health

📚 Studies suggest:

• Antioxidant properties

• Anti-tumor effects (in vitro)

• Antimicrobial activity

• Cholesterol-lowering potential

✅ Note: These benefits are promising but require more human clinical studies.

🔁 Comparison with Other Oyster Mushrooms

FeatureP. eryngii (King)P. ostreatus (Common Oyster)P. pulmonarius (Phoenix)Cap sizeLargeMediumSmallerStemVery thickThin to mediumThinTextureMeatySoftSoftShelf lifeLong (weeks)Short (days)ShortFlavorMild, savoryDelicateMild

📜 Etymology & Naming

• "Pleurotus": Greek pleura = "side" + otos = "ear" (refers to side-growing, ear-shaped caps)

• "eryngii": From Eryngium, the sea holly plant family, where it is sometimes found growing wild

🌱 Varieties and Strains

There are multiple cultivated strains of P. eryngii, selected for:

• Cap-to-stem ratio

• Growth speed

• Resistance to disease

• Adaptation to various climates

Some producers market "mini" or "baby king oyster" as specialty products, though they are often genetically identical to the standard strain—just harvested early.

📦 Storage and Shelf Life

• Fresh: Can last 1–2 weeks refrigerated in a paper bag

• Dried: Rehydrates well; shelf stable for months

• Frozen: Can be cooked and frozen, but texture may degrade slightly

🚫 Toxicity and Safety

• Pleurotus eryngii is edible and non-toxic.

• No known poisonous look-alikes in commerce.

• Wild identification should be careful, though confusion with toxic Omphalotus (Jack-o'-lantern mushrooms) is unlikely due to major morphological differences.